Deuteronomy 21:5-15

5 The Levitical priests will then step up. God has chosen them to serve him in these matters by settling legal disputes and violent crimes and by pronouncing blessings in God's name.
6 Finally, all the leaders of that town that is nearest the body will wash their hands over the heifer that had its neck broken at the stream
7 and say, "We didn't kill this man and we didn't see who did it.
8 Purify your people Israel whom you redeemed, O God. Clear your people Israel from any guilt in this murder."
9 By following these procedures you will have absolved yourselves of any part in the murder because you will have done what is right in God's sight.
10 When you go to war against your enemies and God, your God, gives you victory and you take prisoners,
11 and then you notice among the prisoners of war a good-looking woman whom you find attractive and would like to marry,
12 this is what you do: Take her home; have her trim her hair, cut her nails,
13 and discard the clothes she was wearing when captured. She is then to stay in your home for a full month, mourning her father and mother. Then you may go to bed with her as husband and wife.
14 If it turns out you don't like her, you must let her go and live wherever she wishes. But you can't sell her or use her as a slave since you've humiliated her.
15 When a man has two wives, one loved and the other hated, and they both give him sons, but the firstborn is from the hated wife,

Deuteronomy 21:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 21

This chapter treats of the beheading of the heifer, for the expiation of unknown murder, and the rules to be observed in it, De 21:1-9 of a beautiful captive woman an Israelite is desirous of having for his wife, and what methods he must take to accomplish it, De 21:10-14, of giving the double portion to the firstborn, which he must not be deprived of in favour of the son of a beloved wife, De 21:15-17 and of the stubborn and rebellious son, who remaining so must be put to death, De 21:18-21 and of burying a person hanged on a tree the same day he is executed, De 21:22,23.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.