Deuteronomy

Chapters

1. 1
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5
6. 6
7. 7
8. 8
9. 9
10. 10
11. 11
12. 12
13. 13
14. 14
15. 15
16. 16
17. 17
18. 18
19. 19
20. 20
21. 21
22. 22
23. 23
24. 24
25. 25
26. 26
27. 27
28. 28
29. 29
30. 30
31. 31
32. 32
33. 33
34. 34

In the maps

• Deuteronomy 22:23

  In the Law, a betrothed virgin is already legally a wife: her violation is punished as adultery. Pitre uses this to show that when Gabriel appears, Mary is Joseph's wife in the eyes of the Law, awaiting only the home-taking. That makes her question, 'How shall this be, since I know not a man?' remarkable — a woman expecting ordinary married life would have no reason to ask it unless she had resolved to remain a virgin.

• Deuteronomy 22:25

  The Law treats relations between a betrothed woman and another man as adultery, punishable by death. Pitre cites these verses to establish that Jewish betrothal was already a binding marriage (p 93): when Gabriel comes, Mary is legally Joseph's wife. That makes her question, 'How shall this be, since I know not man?', inexplicable for a bride expecting ordinary married life — unless she intended to remain a virgin.

• Deuteronomy 33:12

  Benjamin, the son whose birth cost Rachel her life, is 'the beloved of the LORD.' Pitre suggests this is why the Fourth Gospel's author never names himself and calls himself only 'the disciple whom Jesus loved': he is the new Benjamin, the beloved second son given to the New Rachel in her sorrow at the cross.