John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 19:20

"And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; they shall be punished; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free." — Leviticus 19:20 (ASV)

Although in God’s sight there is no difference between slave and free, yet their condition is different regarding courts of justice;⁷⁰ nor do the same evil consequences follow from adultery with a female slave, (as with a free woman).⁷¹

Therefore, even though the crime is worthy of death, still, considering the people's weakness, the punishment is lessened, so that if a person corrupts a betrothed female slave, both are to be scourged.⁷² From this we infer that if a concubine, who had already lived with a man, was seduced, it was considered adultery punishable by death. Lest it be falsely believed, from the leniency or indulgence of the law, that the offense was a minor one, this error is immediately addressed by the addition of the expiation; for if someone already beaten with stripes still required reconciliation, it follows that the severity of the offense is not to be judged solely by its penalty.

⁷⁰ “Quant aux jugemens terreins, et humains.” — Fr..

⁷¹ Added from Fr..

⁷² C.’s Latin version and Commentary agree here with the margin of, .’s Latin version and Commentary agree here with the margin of, A. V. rather than the text, “she shall be scourged;” margin, “there shall be a scourging.” . rather than the text, “she shall be scourged;” margin, “there shall be a scourging.” Dathe’’s translation is “vapulabunt ambo,” and his note, “sic Vulgatus recte, sequitur enim pluralis translation is “vapulabunt ambo,” and his note, “sic Vulgatus recte, sequitur enim pluralis non moriantur. Cf. . Cf. Michaelis in J. M. P. V., p. 50.” in J. M. P. V., p. 50.”