Deuteronomio 21

1 Cuando fuere hallado en la tierra que el SEÑOR tu Dios te da para que la heredes, algún muerto echado en el campo, y no se supiere quién lo hirió

2 entonces tus ancianos y tus jueces saldrán y medirán hasta las ciudades que están alrededor del muerto

3 y será, que los ancianos de aquella ciudad, de la ciudad más cercana al muerto, tomarán una becerra que no haya servido, que no haya traído yugo

4 y los ancianos de aquella ciudad traerán la becerra a un valle áspero, que nunca haya sido arado ni sembrado, y cortarán la cerviz a la becerra allí en el valle

5 Y vendrán los sacerdotes hijos de Leví, porque a ellos escogió el SEÑOR tu Dios para que le sirvan, y para bendecir en nombre del SEÑOR; y por el dicho de ellos se determinará todo pleito y toda llaga

6 Y todos los ancianos de aquella ciudad más cercana al muerto lavarán sus manos sobre la becerra degollada en el valle

7 Y protestarán, y dirán: Nuestras manos no han derramado esta sangre, ni nuestros ojos lo vieron

8 Reconcilia a tu pueblo Israel, al cual rescataste, oh SEÑOR; y no imputes la sangre inocente derramada en medio de tu pueblo Israel. Y la sangre les será perdonada

9 Y tú quitarás la culpa de sangre inocente de en medio de ti, cuando hicieres lo que es recto ante los ojos del SEÑOR

10 Cuando salieres a la guerra contra tus enemigos, y el SEÑOR tu Dios los entregare en tu mano, y tomares de ellos cautivos

11 y vieres entre los cautivos alguna mujer hermosa, y la codiciares, y la tomares para ti por mujer

12 la meterás en tu casa; y ella raerá su cabeza, y cortará sus uñas

13 y se quitará el vestido de su cautiverio, y se quedará en tu casa; y llorará a su padre y a su madre el tiempo de un mes; y después podrás llegarte a ella, y tú serás su marido, y ella tu mujer

14 Y será, si no te agradare, que la has de dejar en su libertad; y no la venderás por dinero, ni mercadearás con ella, por cuanto la afligiste

15 Cuando algún varón tuviere dos mujeres, la una amada y la otra aborrecida, y la amada y la aborrecida le hubieren dado a luz hijos, y el hijo primogénito fuere de la aborrecida

16 será que, el día que hiciere heredar a sus hijos lo que tuviere, no podrá dar el derecho de primogenitura a los hijos de la amada en preferencia al hijo de la aborrecida, que es el primogénito

17 mas al hijo de la aborrecida se reconocerá por primogénito, para darle doble porción de todo lo que le fuere hallado; porque aquel es el principio de su fuerza, el derecho de la primogenitura es suyo

18 Cuando alguno tuviere hijo contumaz y rebelde, que no oyere a la voz de su padre ni a la voz de su madre, y habiéndole castigado, no les oyere

19 entonces lo tomarán su padre y su madre, y lo sacarán a los ancianos de su ciudad, y a la puerta del lugar suyo

20 y dirán a los ancianos de la ciudad: Este nuestro hijo es contumaz y rebelde, no oye nuestra voz; es glotón y borracho

21 Entonces todos los hombres de su ciudad lo apedrearán con piedras, y morirá; así quitarás el mal de tu tierra; y todo Israel oirá, y temerá

22 Cuando alguno hubiere cometido pecado de sentencia de muerte, por el que haya de morir, y le habrás colgado de un madero

23 no anochecerá su cuerpo en el madero, mas sin falta lo enterrarás el mismo día, porque maldición de Dios es el colgado; y no contaminarás tu tierra, que el SEÑOR tu Dios te da por heredad

Deuteronomio 21 Commentary

Chapter 21

The expiation of uncertain murder. (1-9) Respecting a captive taken to wife. (10-14) The first-born not to be disinherited for private affection. (15-17) A stubborn son to be stoned. (18-21) Malefactors not to be left hanging all night. (22,23)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chapter Summary

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.