Exodus 22:16

If a man entice. The remainder of the “book of the covenant” is made up of miscellaneous laws. It will be noticed that some are severe and others tender, again illustrating the justice and mercy of God (see Ps. 85:10; 89:14). God is as merciful toward the weak and helpless saint as He is severe toward the bold and stubborn sinner. Verses 16 and 17 are concerned with seduction. In the East a man commonly pays money, a dowry, to the parents of the maiden he intends to marry. A seducer was required to comply with this custom. The dowry price was 50 shekels of silver (Deut. 22:29), or about $14.57.