Deuteronomy 21

¹ If [one] be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, [and] it be not known who hath slain him:

² Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which [are] round about him that is slain:

³ And it shall be, [that] the city [which is] next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, [and] which hath not drawn in the yoke;

⁴ And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley:

⁵ And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be [tried]:

⁶ And all the elders of that city, [that are] next unto the slain [man], shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:

⁷ And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen [it].

⁸ Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

⁹ So shalt thou put away the [guilt of] innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD.

¹⁰ When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,

¹¹ And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;

¹² Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;

¹³ And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.

¹⁴ And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

¹⁵ If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, [both] the beloved and the hated; and [if] the firstborn son be hers that was hated:

¹⁶ Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit [that] which he hath, [that] he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, [which is indeed] the firstborn:

¹⁷ But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated [for] the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he [is] the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn [is] his.

¹⁸ If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and [that], when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

¹⁹ Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

²⁰ And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son [is] stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; [he is] a glutton, and a drunkard.

²¹ And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

²² And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

²³ His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

Overview of Deuteronomy Chapter 21

Deuteronomy 21 addresses various laws and regulations that the Israelites are to follow, focusing on issues of justice, family, and community. This chapter emphasizes the importance of maintaining social order and moral integrity within the community.

Key Themes

• Justice and Atonement
• Family and Inheritance
• Social Responsibility

Detailed Analysis

1. The Unsolved Murder (Verses 1-9)

These verses outline the procedure for addressing an unsolved murder in the land. The community must take responsibility to atone for the crime, demonstrating the collective nature of justice in Israelite society.

1. Identification of the Murdered Individual: The elders of the city nearest to the crime must measure the distance to determine which city is closest to the victim.
2. Offering a Heifer: The elders must bring a heifer that has never been worked or yoked, signifying purity and innocence.
3. Ritual of Atonement: The elders perform a ritual by breaking the heifer’s neck in a valley that has not been plowed or sown, symbolizing the community’s grief and the need for atonement.
4. Public Declaration: The elders declare their innocence and responsibility, emphasizing that the bloodshed is not on their hands.

2. Marrying a Captive Woman (Verses 10-14)

This section addresses the treatment of women captured in war, highlighting the importance of respect and dignity even in difficult circumstances.

1. Procedure for Marriage: An Israelite soldier may take a captive woman as a wife, but must follow specific steps, including allowing her to mourn her family.
2. Rights of the Woman: The woman is given the opportunity to choose her fate, and if the marriage does not work out, she is not to be sold or treated as a slave.

3. The Firstborn Son’s Inheritance (Verses 15-17)

These verses discuss the rights of the firstborn son, emphasizing fairness in inheritance laws.

1. Preference for the Firstborn: Even if the firstborn is the son of an unloved wife, he must receive a double portion of the inheritance.
2. Justice and Equity: This law promotes justice and prevents favoritism, ensuring that all children are treated fairly.

4. Rebellious Son (Verses 18-21)

This section outlines the consequences for a rebellious son, reflecting the seriousness of family order and communal responsibility.

1. Identification of Rebellion: Parents must first attempt to correct the behavior of a son who is stubborn and rebellious.
2. Community Involvement: If the son does not heed their correction, the parents must bring him before the elders of the city.
3. Consequences: The son may face severe punishment, including death, which serves as a deterrent against rebellion and disorder within the family unit.

5. Handling Executions (Verses 22-23)

The final verses of the chapter discuss the treatment of a person executed for a crime, emphasizing respect for the deceased.

1. Burial Practices: A body must not remain hanging overnight, as this is seen as a curse from God.
2. Restoration of Honor: Proper burial is essential for restoring dignity and honor, reflecting the value placed on human life.

Conclusion

Deuteronomy 21 presents a series of laws that reflect the values of justice, family integrity, and social responsibility within the Israelite community. These regulations not only address specific situations but also promote a broader understanding of communal ethics and the importance of maintaining order and respect for life.