Exodus 22:17 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

If the father refuse, he shall pay money This shows how ill a thing it is, and by no means to be allowed, that children should marry without their parents' consent: even here, where the divine law appointed the marriage, both as a punishment to him that had done wrong, and a recompense to her that had suffered wrong, yet there was an express reservation for the father's power; if he denied his consent, it must be no marriage.

Exodus 22:17

17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall payb money according to the dowry of virgins.