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Seduce

se-dus’, se-dus’-er (Hiphil of (Ta`ah, or ta`ah, "to err"; of pathah, "to be simple"; planao, apoplanao, "to lead astray"):


(2) It is not found in its specific sense of "to entice a female to surrender her chastity." Yet the crime itself is referred to and condemned.

Three cases are to be distinguished:

(a) The seduction of an unbetrothed virgin: In this case the seducer cording to J-E (Ex 22:16 f) is to be compelled to take the virgin as his wife, if the father consents, and to pay the latter the usual purchase price, the amount of which is not defined. In the Deuteronomic Code (De 22:28) the amount is fixed at 50 shekels, and the seducer forfeits the right of divorce.

(b) The seduction of a betrothed virgin: This case (De 22:23-27; not referred to in the other codes) is treated as virtually one of adultery, the virgin being regarded as pledged to her future husband as fully as if she were formally married to him; the penalty therefore is the same as for adultery, namely, death for both parties (except in the case where the girl can reasonably be acquitted of blame, in which case the man only is put to death).

(c) The seduction of a betrothed bondmaid (mentioned only in Le 19:20-22): Here there is no infliction of death, because the girl was not free; but the seducer shall make a trespass offering, besides paying the fine.

See Crimes; Punishments.

D. Miall Edwards