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Deuteronomy 21

BSB·23 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Ifכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → one is found slainחָלָ֗לḥā·lāl — to pierce through; to kill or slayH2491 — Full Word Study →, lyingנֹפֵ֖לnō·p̄êl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → in a fieldבַּשָּׂדֶ֑הbaś·śā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study → in the landבָּאֲדָמָה֙bā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר֩’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֨הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is givingנֹתֵ֤ןnō·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you to possessלְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּlə·riš·tāh — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study →, and it is notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → knownנוֹדַ֖עnō·w·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → whoמִ֥יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → killed himהִכָּֽהוּ׃hik·kā·hū — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study →, 2your eldersזְקֵנֶ֖יךָzə·qê·ne·ḵā — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → and judgesוְשֹׁפְטֶ֑יךָwə·šō·p̄ə·ṭe·ḵā — to judge, govern, or execute justiceH8199 — Full Word Study → must come outוְיָצְא֥וּwə·yā·ṣə·’ū — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → and measure the distanceוּמָדְדוּ֙ū·mā·ḏə·ḏū — to measure, extend, or stretch outH4058 — Full Word Study → from the victimהֶחָלָֽל׃he·ḥā·lāl — to pierce through; to kill or slayH2491 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the neighboringסְבִיבֹ֥תsə·ḇî·ḇōṯ — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study → citiesהֶ֣עָרִ֔יםhe·‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 3Thenוְהָיָ֣הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the eldersזִקְנֵי֩ziq·nê — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → of the cityהָעִ֔ירhā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → nearestהַקְּרֹבָ֖הhaq·qə·rō·ḇāh — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study → the victimהֶחָלָ֑לhe·ḥā·lāl — to pierce through; to kill or slayH2491 — Full Word Study → shall takeוְלָֽקְח֡וּwə·lā·qə·ḥū — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → a heiferעֶגְלַ֣ת‘eḡ·laṯ — Young female calf or heiferH5697 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → has neverלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → been yokedבְּעֹֽל׃bə·‘ōl — Yoke; burden; servitude; oxen's harnessH5923 — Full Word Study → or used for workעֻבַּד֙‘ub·baḏ — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study →, 4bringוְהוֹרִ֡דוּwə·hō·w·ri·ḏū — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → the heiferהָֽעֶגְלָה֙hā·‘eḡ·lāh — Young female calf or heiferH5697 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → a valleyנַ֣חַלna·ḥal — A stream or winter torrent; a narrow valleyH5158 — Full Word Study → with running waterאֵיתָ֔ן’ê·ṯān — Permanent, enduring, mighty, or steadfastH386 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֛ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → has notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → been plowedיֵעָבֵ֥דyê·‘ā·ḇêḏ — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → or sownיִזָּרֵ֑עַyiz·zā·rê·a‘ — to sow seed; to plantH2232 — Full Word Study →, and break its neckוְעָֽרְפוּ־wə·‘ā·rə·p̄ū- — To break or snap the neck; to beheadH6202 — Full Word Study → thereשָׁ֥םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → by the streamבַּנָּֽחַל׃ban·nā·ḥal — A stream or winter torrent; a narrow valleyH5158 — Full Word Study →. 5And the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִים֮hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →, the sonsבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Leviלֵוִי֒lê·wî — Joined, AttachedH3878 — Full Word Study →, shall come forwardוְנִגְּשׁ֣וּwə·nig·gə·šū — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֤הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has chosen themבָּחַ֞רbā·ḥar — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → to serve Himלְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹlə·šā·rə·ṯōw — to minister, serve, or attendH8334 — Full Word Study → and pronounce blessingsוּלְבָרֵ֖ךְū·lə·ḇā·rêḵ — to bless, kneel, praiseH1288 — Full Word Study → in Hisיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → nameבְּשֵׁ֣םbə·šêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → and to give a rulingוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → in everyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → disputeרִ֥יבrîḇ — Strife, contention, legal disputeH7379 — Full Word Study → and case of assaultנָֽגַע׃nā·ḡa‘ — Plague, affliction, or stroke of judgmentH5061 — Full Word Study →. 6Then allוְכֹ֗לwə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the eldersזִקְנֵי֙ziq·nê — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → of the cityהָעִ֣ירhā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → nearestהַקְּרֹבִ֖יםhaq·qə·rō·ḇîm — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study → the victimהֶחָלָ֑לhe·ḥā·lāl — to pierce through; to kill or slayH2491 — Full Word Study → shall washיִרְחֲצוּ֙yir·ḥă·ṣū — to wash or bathe the bodyH7364 — Full Word Study → their handsיְדֵיהֶ֔םyə·ḏê·hem — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → by the streamבַנָּֽחַל׃ḇan·nā·ḥal — A stream or winter torrent; a narrow valleyH5158 — Full Word Study → overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the heiferהָעֶגְלָ֖הhā·‘eḡ·lāh — Young female calf or heiferH5697 — Full Word Study → whose neck has been brokenהָעֲרוּפָ֥הhā·‘ă·rū·p̄āh — To break or snap the neck; to beheadH6202 — Full Word Study →, 7and they shall declareוְעָנ֖וּwə·‘ā·nū — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →, “Our handsיָדֵ֗ינוּyā·ḏê·nū — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → did notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → shedשָׁפְכָהšå̄·p̄ə·ḵå̄h — to pour out, shed, spillH8210 — Full Word Study → thisהַזֶּ֔הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → bloodהַדָּ֣םhad·dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →, nor didלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → our eyesוְעֵינֵ֖ינוּwə·‘ê·nê·nū — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → see itרָאֽוּ׃rā·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →. 8Accept this atonementכַּפֵּר֩kap·pêr — To atone; to cover sin and make reconciliationH3722 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, for Your peopleלְעַמְּךָ֨lə·‘am·mə·ḵā — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֤לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → whomאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → You have redeemedפָּדִ֙יתָ֙pā·ḏî·ṯā — to redeem, ransom, or buy backH6299 — Full Word Study →, and do notוְאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → holdתִּתֵּן֙tit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → the shedding of innocentנָקִ֔יnā·qî — Innocent, blameless, free from guiltH5355 — Full Word Study → bloodדָּ֣םdām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → againstבְּקֶ֖רֶבbə·qe·reḇ — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → themעַמְּךָ֣‘am·mə·ḵā — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →.” And the bloodshedהַדָּֽם׃had·dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → will be atoned forוְנִכַּפֵּ֥רwə·nik·kap·pêr — To atone; to cover sin and make reconciliationH3722 — Full Word Study →. 9So youוְאַתָּ֗הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → shall purgeתְּבַעֵ֛רtə·ḇa·‘êr — to burn, consume, or act brutishlyH1197 — Full Word Study → from among youמִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָmiq·qir·be·ḵā — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → the guilt of shedding innocentהַנָּקִ֖יhan·nā·qî — Innocent, blameless, free from guiltH5355 — Full Word Study → bloodהַדָּ֥םhad·dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →, sinceכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have doneתַעֲשֶׂ֥הṯa·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → what is rightהַיָּשָׁ֖רhay·yā·šār — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → in the eyesבְּעֵינֵ֥יbə·‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָֽה׃סYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 10Whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you goתֵצֵ֥אṯê·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → to warלַמִּלְחָמָ֖הlam·mil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your enemiesאֹיְבֶ֑יךָ’ō·yə·ḇe·ḵā — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → and the LORDיְהוָ֧הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → delivers themוּנְתָנ֞וֹū·nə·ṯā·nōw — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → into your handבְּיָדֶ֖ךָbə·yā·ḏe·ḵā — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → and you take themוְשָׁבִ֥יתָwə·šā·ḇî·ṯā — To take captive; to seize and carry awayH7617 — Full Word Study → captiveשִׁבְיֽוֹ׃šiḇ·yōw — captivity, exile, or the captured/enslaved peopleH7628 — Full Word Study →, 11if you seeוְרָאִיתָ֙wə·rā·’î·ṯā — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → a beautifulיְפַת־yə·p̄aṯ- — Beautiful, fair, or lovely in appearanceH3303 — Full Word Study → womanאֵ֖שֶׁת’ê·šeṯ — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → among them, and you desireוְחָשַׁקְתָּ֣wə·ḥā·šaq·tā — to cling to, love, delight inH2836 — Full Word Study → her and want to takeוְלָקַחְתָּ֥wə·lā·qaḥ·tā — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → her as your wifeלְאִשָּֽׁה׃lə·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, 12then you shall bring herוַהֲבֵאתָ֖הּwa·hă·ḇê·ṯāh — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → intoאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → your houseבֵּיתֶ֑ךָbê·ṯe·ḵā — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →. She must shaveוְגִלְּחָה֙wə·ḡil·lə·ḥāh — to shave or cut off hairH1548 — Full Word Study → her headרֹאשָׁ֔הּrō·šāh — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →, trimוְעָשְׂתָ֖הwə·‘ā·śə·ṯāh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → her nailsצִפָּרְנֶֽיהָ׃ṣip·pā·rə·ne·hā — Fingernail; claw; point of a nailH6856 — Full Word Study →, 13and put asideוְהֵסִ֩ירָה֩wə·hê·sî·rāh — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → the clothingשִׂמְלַ֨תśim·laṯ — Garment, cloak, or outer garmentH8071 — Full Word Study → of her captivityשִׁבְיָ֜הּšiḇ·yāh — captivity, exile, or the captured/enslaved peopleH7628 — Full Word Study →. Afterוְאַ֨חַרwə·’a·ḥar — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → she has livedוְיָֽשְׁבָה֙wə·yā·šə·ḇāh — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in your houseבְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָbə·ḇê·ṯe·ḵā — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → a full monthיֶ֣רַחye·raḥ — Month; lunar cycle; moonH3391 — Full Word Study → and mournedוּבָֽכְתָ֛הū·ḇā·ḵə·ṯāh — to weep, cry, shed tearsH1058 — Full Word Study → her fatherאָבִ֥יהָ’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherאִמָּ֖הּ’im·māh — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study →, you may have relations withתָּב֤וֹאtā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → herאֵלֶ֙יהָ֙’ê·le·hā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → and be her husbandוּבְעַלְתָּ֔הּū·ḇə·‘al·tāh — Master, Lord, HusbandH1166 — Full Word Study →, and she shall beוְהָיְתָ֥הwə·hā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → your wifeלְאִשָּֽׁה׃lə·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →. 14Andוְהָיָ֞הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you are notלֹ֧אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → pleasedחָפַ֣צְתָּḥā·p̄aṣ·tā — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study → with her, you are to let her goוְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ֙wə·šil·laḥ·tāh — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → wherever she wishesלְנַפְשָׁ֔הּlə·nap̄·šāh — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →. But you must notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → sell herוּמָכֹ֥רū·mā·ḵōr — to sell; to exchange for paymentH4376 — Full Word Study → for moneyבַּכָּ֑סֶףbak·kā·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → or treat her as a slaveתִתְעַמֵּ֣רṯiṯ·‘am·mêr — to bind sheaves of grain; to gather harvestH6014 — Full Word Study →, sinceתַּ֖חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → you have dishonored herעִנִּיתָֽהּ׃ס‘in·nî·ṯāh — To afflict, humble, or oppress; to treat harshlyH6031 — Full Word Study →. 15Ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a manלְאִ֜ישׁlə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → hasתִהְיֶ֨יןָṯih·ye·nā — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → twoשְׁתֵּ֣יšə·tê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → wivesנָשִׁ֗יםnā·šîm — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, oneהָאַחַ֤תhā·’a·ḥaṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → belovedאֲהוּבָה֙’ă·hū·ḇāh — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → and the otherוְהָאַחַ֣תwə·hā·’a·ḥaṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → unlovedשְׂנוּאָ֔הśə·nū·’āh — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →, and both bearוְיָֽלְדוּ־wə·yā·lə·ḏū- — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → him sonsבָנִ֔יםḇā·nîm — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, but the unlovedלַשְּׂנִיאָֽה׃laś·śə·nî·’āh — to hate, despise, regard with enmityH8146 — Full Word Study → wife hasוְהָיָ֛הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the firstbornהַבְּכ֖וֹרhab·bə·ḵō·wr — firstborn son; first offspring; heirH1060 — Full Word Study → sonהַבֵּ֥ןhab·bên — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, 16whenבְּיוֹם֙bə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → that manאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → assigns his inheritanceהַנְחִיל֣וֹhan·ḥî·lōw — to inherit, to take possession as an heirH5157 — Full Word Study → to his sonsבָּנָ֔יוbā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → he must notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → appointיוּכַ֗לyū·ḵal — to be able, have power, endureH3201 — Full Word Study → the sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of the beloved wifeהָ֣אֲהוּבָ֔הhā·’ă·hū·ḇāh — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → asעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the firstbornפְּנֵ֥יpə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → overבֶן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → the son of the unloved wifeהַשְּׂנוּאָ֖הhaś·śə·nū·’āh — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →. 17Insteadכִּי֩kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, he must acknowledgeיַכִּ֗ירyak·kîr — To recognize, acknowledge, regard, or treat as strangeH5234 — Full Word Study → the firstbornהַבְּכֹ֨רhab·bə·ḵōr — firstborn son; first offspring; heirH1060 — Full Word Study →, the sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of his unloved wifeהַשְּׂנוּאָ֜הhaś·śə·nū·’āh — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →, by givingלָ֤תֶתlā·ṯeṯ — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → him a doubleשְׁנַ֔יִםšə·na·yim — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → portionפִּ֣יpî — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → of allבְּכֹ֥לbə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → he hasיִמָּצֵ֖אyim·mā·ṣê — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → that son is the firstfruitsרֵאשִׁ֣יתrê·šîṯ — Beginning, first, principal, chiefH7225 — Full Word Study → of his father’s strength; the rightמִשְׁפַּ֥טmiš·paṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → of the firstbornהַבְּכֹרָֽה׃סhab·bə·ḵō·rāh — The right or privilege of the firstborn sonH1062 — Full Word Study → belongs to him. 18Ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a manלְאִ֗ישׁlə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → hasיִהְיֶ֣הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a stubbornסוֹרֵ֣רsō·w·rêr — to rebel, turn away, be stubbornH5637 — Full Word Study → and rebelliousוּמוֹרֶ֔הū·mō·w·reh — to rebel, provoke, resist authorityH4784 — Full Word Study → sonבֵּ֚ןbên — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → who does notאֵינֶ֣נּוּ’ê·nen·nū — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → obeyשֹׁמֵ֔עַšō·mê·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → his fatherאָבִ֖יו’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherאִמּ֑וֹ’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → andוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → does not listenיִשְׁמַ֖עyiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → to themאֲלֵיהֶֽם׃’ă·lê·hem — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → when disciplinedוְיסְּר֣וּws·sə·rū — To discipline, correct, or instruct through rebuke or punishmentH3256 — Full Word Study →, 19his fatherאָבִ֣יו’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → and motherוְאִמּ֑וֹwə·’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → are to lay holdוְתָ֥פְשׂוּwə·ṯā·p̄ə·śū — To seize, grasp, or take hold of firmlyH8610 — Full Word Study → of him and bringוְהוֹצִ֧יאוּwə·hō·w·ṣî·’ū — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → himאֹת֛וֹ’ō·ṯōw — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the eldersזִקְנֵ֥יziq·nê — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → of his cityעִיר֖וֹ‘î·rōw — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, toוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the gateשַׁ֥עַרša·‘ar — Gate; entrance to a city or enclosureH8179 — Full Word Study → of his hometownמְקֹמֽוֹ׃mə·qō·mōw — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study →, 20and sayוְאָמְר֞וּwə·’ā·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the eldersזִקְנֵ֣יziq·nê — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study →, “Thisזֶה֙zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → son of oursבְּנֵ֤נוּbə·nê·nū — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → is stubbornסוֹרֵ֣רsō·w·rêr — to rebel, turn away, be stubbornH5637 — Full Word Study → and rebelliousוּמֹרֶ֔הū·mō·reh — to rebel, provoke, resist authorityH4784 — Full Word Study →; he does notאֵינֶ֥נּוּ’ê·nen·nū — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → obey usשֹׁמֵ֖עַšō·mê·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →. He is a gluttonזוֹלֵ֖לzō·w·lêl — to shake violently; to act wastefully or immorallyH2151 — Full Word Study → and a drunkardוְסֹבֵֽא׃wə·sō·ḇê — to drink heavily, become drunk, tipple excessivelyH5433 — Full Word Study →.” 21Then allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the menאַנְשֵׁ֨י’an·šê — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → of his cityעִיר֤וֹ‘î·rōw — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → will stone himוּ֠רְגָמֻהוּū·rə·ḡā·mu·hū — to stone; to pelt with stonesH7275 — Full Word Study → to deathוָמֵ֔תwā·mêṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →. So you must purgeוּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ū·ḇi·‘ar·tā — to burn, consume, or act brutishlyH1197 — Full Word Study → the evilהָרָ֖עhā·rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → from among youמִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָmiq·qir·be·ḵā — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study →, and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → will hearיִשְׁמְע֥וּyiš·mə·‘ū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → and be afraidוְיִרָֽאוּ׃סwə·yi·rā·’ū — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study →. 22Ifוְכִֽי־wə·ḵî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a manבְאִ֗ישׁḇə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → has committedיִהְיֶ֣הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a sinחֵ֛טְאḥêṭ — sin, transgression, or guiltH2399 — Full Word Study → worthyמִשְׁפַּט־miš·paṭ- — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → of deathמָ֖וֶתmā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →, and he is executedוְהוּמָ֑תwə·hū·māṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →, and you hangוְתָלִ֥יתָwə·ṯā·lî·ṯā — to hang, suspend, or hang upH8518 — Full Word Study → his bodyאֹת֖וֹ’ō·ṯōw — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → a treeעֵֽץ׃‘êṣ — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study →, 23you must not leaveלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → the bodyנִבְלָת֜וֹniḇ·lā·ṯōw — Carcass, dead body, carrionH5038 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the treeהָעֵ֗ץhā·‘êṣ — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study → overnightתָלִ֨יןṯā·lîn — to lodge, dwell, or remain (overnight or permanently)H3885 — Full Word Study →, butכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you must be sure to buryקָב֤וֹרqā·ḇō·wr — to bury, to entomb the deadH6912 — Full Word Study → himהַה֔וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → that dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’sאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → curseקִלְלַ֥תqil·laṯ — A curse; divine judgment or human condemnationH7045 — Full Word Study →. You must notוְלֹ֤אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → defileתְטַמֵּא֙ṯə·ṭam·mê — to be unclean, to defile or contaminateH2930 — Full Word Study → the landאַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔’aḏ·mā·ṯə·ḵā — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר֙’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is givingנֹתֵ֥ןnō·ṯên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you as an inheritanceנַחֲלָֽה׃סna·ḥă·lāh — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Deuteronomy 21
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Deuteronomy 21 addresses several practical and moral situations in Israel's community life, demonstrating that God's law extended to civil justice, personal relationships, and family order. This chapter covers the ceremonial cleansing of a community when an unsolved murder occurs, regulations concerning captive women taken in war, inheritance rights of firstborn sons, punishment of rebellious children, and proper burial practices. Together, these laws reveal God's concern for justice, dignity, mercy, and the sanctity of the land—showing that true obedience involves both ritual observance and righteous character in everyday life.

The Heifer Ritual for Unsolved Murder (Verses 1–9)

When a person is found murdered in the land and the killer cannot be identified, God prescribes a ceremonial act of atonement involving the nearest city. The elders are to take an unblemished heifer, break its neck in an uncultivated valley, wash their hands over it, and declare their innocence (verses 1–6). This ritual serves multiple purposes: it acknowledges corporate responsibility for justice in the community, it prevents innocent blood from defiling the land, and it calls upon God's mercy. The priests oversee the ceremony, reminding Israel that even civil matters require priestly mediation and divine oversight (verse 5). The declaration in verse 8—"Our hands have not shed this blood"—is not a claim of individual innocence but a communal acceptance of responsibility to pursue justice. This teaches that communities, not just individuals, bear moral weight before God.

Application: Christian communities today should take seriously their responsibility to pursue justice and protect the vulnerable, recognizing that indifference to wrongdoing defiles our witness and grieves the Spirit.

Marriage to a Captive Woman (Verses 10–14)

This passage permits an Israelite soldier to marry a captive woman taken in war, but with strict protections for her dignity and rights. She must have a month to mourn her family (verse 13), be given time to adjust, and cannot be divorced and sold into slavery (verse 14). Though this practice reflects ancient warfare customs, the law restrains exploitation and grants the woman legal status as a wife, not property. The requirement that he treat her as a legitimate wife, even if he later loses interest in her, protects her from abandonment and ensures she retains her humanity and standing in the community.

Application: God's law consistently protects the vulnerable and limits the power of the strong. Christians should advocate for the dignity and legal protection of the marginalized, especially women and refugees.

Inheritance Rights of the Firstborn (Verses 15–17)

Even when a man favors one wife over another, the firstborn son of the hated wife must receive his rightful double portion of the inheritance. Personal preference cannot override the order of birth and the sacred right of the firstborn. This law guards against family injustice and prevents favoritism from corrupting the household order.

Application: God values fairness and order in family life. Parental favoritism wounds children and contradicts God's design for household harmony.

The Stubborn and Rebellious Son (Verses 18–21)

Parents who have a son who persistently refuses to obey, despite discipline, may bring him before the city elders for judgment, resulting in capital punishment. This law represents the ultimate sanction for family rebellion and was rarely, if ever, carried out in practice. It establishes parental authority as foundational to social order and demonstrates that rebellion against legitimate authority is serious.

Application: While New Testament grace supersedes Old Testament penalties, the principle stands: respect for parental and lawful authority is essential to civil order and godliness.

Burial of the Executed (Verses 22–23)

Even criminals executed for capital crimes must be buried the same day; leaving a body hanging overnight defiles the land. This law reflects God's concern for dignity even in judgment and the sanctity of His land.

Application for Today

Deuteronomy 21 shows that God's people are called to pursue justice, protect the vulnerable, maintain family order, and treat all persons—even criminals—with a measure of dignity. The gospel fulfills these principles through Christ's perfect justice and infinite mercy. As His followers, we are called to advocate for justice, defend the defenseless, honor legitimate authority, and extend grace while maintaining moral conviction.

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