Expert: Scott Talbot - 10/4/2007

Question
Hello,

This is a serious question, I am not a prankster,

I have never understood the viginity cloth of the Old Testament,

From what I know, it was like a bedsheet that was used during the consumation of a marriage that contained blood from the bride.

But this makes no sense, because to be a virgin did not mean that the person had never used pleasure toys while yet single.

And, anyone could stain a sheet with blood from their finger to use as proof.

I have never been able to figure this whole thing out from;

Deuteronomy 22:17
Now he has slandered her and said, 'I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.' But here is the proof of my daughter's virginity." Then her parents shall display the cloth before the elders of the town,

Could you please help me,
Thanks,
AL
www.TheBiggestBibleMistakeEver.com

Answer
Hmm. I cannot say that I've spent a lot of time studying and researching the Virginity Cloth, but I'll take a stab at it.

If you read the passage carefully, it seems to imply that a virgin was indeed a virgin--i.e., no "pleasure toys," as you say.

As for purposely staining the sheeet with blood from one's finger ... why would anyone do this? The bride would not do this. She would have no reason to raise the issue if she were not a virgin. And the groom would not do this. He would be creating evidence to counter his own claim that she was not actually a virgin.

It doesn't seem to be that big of a mystery to me, but maybe you're seeing something that I'm not. If so, please clarify.

Thanks for writing.

Scott