BSB
Deuteronomy 21
1If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him,
2your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities.
3Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work,
4bring the heifer to a valley with running water that has not been plowed or sown, and break its neck there by the stream.
5And the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to serve Him and pronounce blessings in His name and to give a ruling in every dispute and case of assault.
6Then all the elders of the city nearest the victim shall wash their hands by the stream over the heifer whose neck has been broken,
7and they shall declare, “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.
8Accept this atonement, O LORD, for Your people Israel whom You have redeemed, and do not hold the shedding of innocent blood against them.” And the bloodshed will be atoned for.
9So you shall purge from among you the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.
10When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand and you take them captive,
11if you see a beautiful woman among them, and you desire her and want to take her as your wife,
12then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,
13and put aside the clothing of her captivity. After she has lived in your house a full month and mourned her father and mother, you may have relations with her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife.
14And if you are not pleased with her, you are to let her go wherever she wishes. But you must not sell her for money or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her.
15If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son,
16when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife.
17Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
18If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined,
19his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown,
20and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
21Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.
22If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang his body on a tree,
23you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
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Ablution of the Hands, As a Token of Innocency Deuteronomy 21:6
Then all the elders of the city nearest the victim shall wash their hands by the stream over the heifer whose neck has been broken,
Accursed: What So Called Deuteronomy 21:23
you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Benedictions: Divinely Appointed Deuteronomy 21:5
And the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to serve Him and pronounce blessings in His name and to give a ruling in every dispute and case of assault.
Birthright: Belonged to the First Born Deuteronomy 21:15, 16
If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife.
Birthright: Entitled the Firstborn to a Double Portion of Inheritance Deuteronomy 21:15–17
If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Blood: Shedding of Human: Mode of Clearing Those Accused of Deuteronomy 21:1–9
If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, / your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. / Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work,
Burial of Persons Hanged, Always on the Days of Execution Deuteronomy 21:23
you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Burial: Soon After Death Deuteronomy 21:23
you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Burying the Dead Deuteronomy 21:23
you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Captive: Cruelty to Putting to Death Deuteronomy 21:10
When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand and you take them captive,
Children: Male: Inherited the Possessions of Their Father Deuteronomy 21:16, 17
when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Children: Partiality Among, Forbidden Deuteronomy 21:15–17
If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
Children: Punishment of Deuteronomy 21:18–21
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, / his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, / and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
Children: Rebellious, Punished by the Civil Power Deuteronomy 21:18–21
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, / his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, / and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
Children: Wicked Deuteronomy 21:18–21
If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, / his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, / and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Deuteronomy 21:1–9, 18–21
If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, / your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. / Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work,
Concubinage: Laws Concerning Deuteronomy 21:10–14
When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand and you take them captive, / if you see a beautiful woman among them, and you desire her and want to take her as your wife, / then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,
Court: Civil: The Gates of Cities Deuteronomy 21:19
his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown,
Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: Held at the Gates Deuteronomy 21:19
his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown,
Defilement: Things Liable to Ceremonial: The Land Deuteronomy 21:23
you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Divorce of Captives, Regulated by Law Deuteronomy 21:13, 14
and put aside the clothing of her captivity. After she has lived in your house a full month and mourned her father and mother, you may have relations with her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife. / And if you are not pleased with her, you are to let her go wherever she wishes. But you must not sell her for money or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her.
Divorce: General Scriptures Concerning Deuteronomy 21:10–14
When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand and you take them captive, / if you see a beautiful woman among them, and you desire her and want to take her as your wife, / then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,
Drunkard: General Scriptures Concerning Deuteronomy 21:20, 21
and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” / Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.
Drunkenness: General Scriptures Concerning Deuteronomy 21:20, 21
and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” / Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.
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Deuteronomy 21:1-9 Verses 1-9
If a murderer could not be found out, great solemnity is provided for putting away the guilt from the land, as an expression of dread and detesting of that sin. The providence of God has often wonderfully brought to light these hidden works of darkness, and the sin of the guilty has often strangely found them out. The dread of murder should be deeply impressed upon every heart, and all should join in detecting and punishing those who are guilty. The elders were to profess that they had not been any way aiding or abetting the sin. The priests were to pray to God for the country and nation, that God would be merciful. We must empty that measure by our prayers, which others are filling by their sins. All would be taught by this solemnity, to use the utmost care and diligence to prevent, discover, and punish murder. We may all learn from hence to take heed of partaking in other men's sins. And we have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, if we do not reprove them.
Deuteronomy 21:10-14 Verses 10-14
By this law a soldier was allowed to marry his captive, if he pleased. This might take place upon some occasions; but the law does not show any approval of it. It also intimates how binding the laws of justice and honour are in marriage; which is a sacred engagement.
Deuteronomy 21:15-17 Verses 15-17
This law restrains men from disinheriting their eldest sons without just cause. The principle in this case as to children, is still binding to parents; they must give children their right without partiality.
Deuteronomy 21:18-21 Verses 18-21
Observe how the criminal is here described. He is a stubborn and rebellious son. No child was to fare the worse for weakness of capacity, slowness, or dulness, but for wilfulness and obstinacy. Nothing draws men into all manner of wickedness, and hardens them in it more certainly and fatally, than drunkenness. When men take to drinking, they forget the law of honouring parents. His own father and mother must complain of him to the elders of the city. Children who forget their duty, must thank themselves, and not blame their parents, if they are regarded with less and less affection. He must be publicly stoned to death by the men of his city. Disobedience to a parent's authority must be very evil, when such a punishment was ordered; nor is it less provoking to God now, though it escapes punishment in this world. But when young people early become slaves to sensual appetites, the heart soon grows hard, and the conscience callous; and we can expect nothing but rebellion and destruction.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 Verses 22, 23
By the law of Moses, the touch of a dead body was defiling, therefore dead bodies must not be left hanging, as that would defile the land. There is one reason here which has reference to Christ; "He that is hanged is accursed of God;" that is, it is the highest degree of disgrace and reproach. Those who see a man thus hanging between heaven and earth, will conclude him abandoned of both, and unworthy of either. Moses, by the Spirit, uses this phrase of being accursed of God, when he means no more than being treated most disgracefully, that it might afterward be applied to the death of Christ, and might show that in it he underwent the curse of the law for us; which proves his love, and encourages to faith in him.