Deuteronomio 21

Un caso especial de homicidio

1 »Si en algún campo de la tierra que el SEÑOR tu Dios te da en posesión se halla un muerto, y no se sabe quién pudo haberlo matado,

2 tus ancianos y tus jueces irán y medirán la distancia que haya entre el cuerpo y las ciudades vecinas.

3 Entonces los ancianos de la ciudad más cercana al muerto tomarán una becerra, a la cual nunca se le haya hecho trabajar ni se le haya puesto el yugo.

4 La llevarán a algún valle donde no se haya arado ni plantado, y donde haya un arroyo de aguas continuas, y allí le romperán el cuello.

5 Los sacerdotes levitas pasarán al frente para cumplir su tarea, porque el SEÑOR tu Dios los eligió para pronunciar bendiciones en su nombre, y para ministrar y decidir en todos los casos de disputas y asaltos.

6 Luego, todos los ancianos del pueblo más cercano al muerto se lavarán las manos sobre la becerra desnucada,

7 y declararán: “No derramaron nuestras manos esta sangre, ni vieron nuestros ojos lo ocurrido.

8 Perdona, SEÑOR, a tu pueblo Israel, al cual liberaste, y no lo culpes de esta sangre inocente”.

9 Así quitarás de en medio de ti la culpa de esa sangre inocente, y habrás hecho lo recto a los ojos del SEÑOR.

El matrimonio con prisioneras de guerra

10 »Cuando salgas a la guerra contra tus enemigos, y el SEÑOR tu Dios los entregue en tus manos y los hagas prisioneros,

11 si ves entre las cautivas alguna mujer hermosa que te atraiga, podrás tomarla por esposa.

12 La llevarás a tu casa y harás que se rape la cabeza, se corte las uñas

13 y se deshaga de su ropa de cautiva. Después de que haya vivido en tu casa y guardado luto por su padre y su madre durante todo un mes, podrás unirte a ella y serán marido y mujer.

14 Pero si no resulta de tu agrado, la dejarás ir adonde ella lo desee. No deberás venderla ni tratarla como esclava, puesto que la habrás deshonrado.

El derecho del primogénito

15 »Tomemos el caso de un hombre que tiene dos esposas, y que ama a una de ellas, pero no a la otra; ambas le dan hijos, y el primogénito es el hijo de la mujer a quien no ama.

16 Cuando tal hombre reparta la herencia entre sus hijos, no dará los derechos de primogenitura al hijo de la esposa a quien ama, ni lo preferirá en perjuicio de su verdadero primogénito, es decir, el hijo de la esposa a quien no ama.

17 Más bien, reconocerá a este como el primogénito, y le dará una doble porción de sus posesiones. Ese hijo es el primer fruto de su vigor, y a él le pertenece el derecho de primogenitura.

Un hijo rebelde

18 »Si un hombre tiene un hijo obstinado y rebelde, que no escucha a su padre ni a su madre, ni los obedece cuando lo disciplinan,

19 su padre y su madre lo llevarán a la puerta de la ciudad y lo presentarán ante los ancianos.

20 Y dirán los padres a los ancianos: “Este hijo nuestro es obstinado y rebelde, libertino y borracho. No nos obedece”.

21 Entonces todos los hombres de la ciudad lo apedrearán hasta matarlo. Así extirparás el mal que haya en medio de ti. Y todos en Israel lo sabrán, y tendrán temor.

Diversas leyes

22 »Si alguien que comete un delito digno de muerte es condenado y colgado de un madero,

23 no dejarás el cuerpo colgado durante la noche sino que lo sepultarás ese mismo día. Porque cualquiera que es colgado de un árbol está bajo la maldición de Dios. No contaminarás la tierra que el SEÑOR tu Dios te da como herencia.

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.