And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. (Leviticus 19:20)
Literally, “an inquiry shall be held” (RSV). The Heb. biqqoreth, thus translated, contains the idea of an investigation made with the objective of determining punishment appropriate to the crime. The KJV application of biqqoreth to the woman only is not supported by the Hebrew. It applies equally to both.
Whosoever lieth carnally.
The bondmaid in this case is betrothed to a husband but has not yet been redeemed. Therefore she is not free, but is considered the property of the one she serves.