John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 22:20

"But if this thing be true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the damsel;" — Deuteronomy 22:20 (ASV)

But if this thing be true. If the punishment should seem to anyone to be somewhat too severe, let him reflect that no kind of fraud is more intolerable. A false sale of a field or a house will be considered a crime, as is also uttering counterfeit money; and, therefore, she who abuses the sacred name of marriage for deception, and offers an unchaste body instead of a chaste one, much less deserves to be pardoned.

The cause of severity, however, which is expressly mentioned, is much more extensive, that is, because she has wrought wickedness, or filthiness in Israel. The translation that some give, folly, is poor; for although the word is derived from נבל, nabal, it still means something more atrocious than folly; just as Simeon and Levi, in excuse for their slaughter of the Shechemites, call the defilement of their sister ⁸³נבלה, nebalah, that is, filthiness in Israel (Genesis 34:7).

From this it appears once more how greatly acceptable chastity is to God.

⁸³ “Folly, that which is contrary to sound reason, wickedness.” — Simon’s Heb. Lex. — W. Taylor, in his Concordance, says, “Folly, rather . Taylor, in his Concordance, says, “Folly, rather vice:, :, villany, or what can be supposed in bad morals to be answerable to sapless, withered flowers, leaves, or fruit. , or what can be supposed in bad morals to be answerable to sapless, withered flowers, leaves, or fruit. Genesis 34:7; ; Joshua 7:15; ; Judges 19:23, 24.”.”