Deuteronomy 21:10-13

Domestic Relations

10 "When you go out to battle against your enemies, and ¹the LORD your God delivers them into your hands and you take them away captive,

11 and see among the captives a beautiful woman, and have a desire for her and would take her as a wife for yourself,

12 then you shall bring her home to your house, and she shall ²shave her head and trim her nails.

13 "She shall also remove the clothes of her captivity and shall remain in your house, and ³mourn her father and mother a full month; and after that you may go in to her and be her husband and she shall be your wife.

Deuteronomy 21:10-13 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.

Cross References

• 1. Joshua 21:44
• 2. Leviticus 14:8, 9; Numbers 6:9
• 3. Psalms 45:10

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "do"
• [b] Lit "remove from her"