A man who seduces a virgin and sleeps with her (22:16–17) is to take responsibility by paying the bride-price and marrying her. Even if her father refuses to allow her to marry, the seducer still has to pay the bride-price. The same stipulation is part of a much larger discussion of sexual improprieties in Deuteronomy 22:13–30. Likewise the brief mention of the death penalty for having sexual relations with an animal (22:19) is among numerous abuses detailed in Leviticus 18. The prohibitions in Exodus 22:18–20 address practices that are abominations. The serious nature of these infractions is evident in that the punishment involves the practice of herem, giving over to destruction those who have deliberately rejected the Lord (22:20).

Four groups are repea…