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Liber Deuteronomii, 21

1. Quando inventum fuerit in terra, quam Dominus Deus tuus daturus est tibi, hominis cadaver occisi, et ignoratur caedis reus,

1. "If in the land which the LORD your God gives you to possess, any one is found slain, lying in the open country, and it is not known who killed him,

2. egredientur maiores natu et iudices tui et metientur a loco cadaveris singularum per circuitum spatia civitatum

2. then your elders and your judges shall come forth, and they shall measure the distance to the cities which are around him that is slain;

3. et, quam viciniorem ceteris esse perspexerint, seniores civitatis illius tollent vitulam de armento, quae non traxit iugum nec terram scidit vomere,

3. and the elders of the city which is nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer which has never been worked and which has not pulled in the yoke.

4. et ducent eam ad torrentem perennem, ubi numquam aratum est nec seminatum, et caedent apud eum cervices vitulae;

4. And the elders of that city shall bring the heifer down to a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the heifer's neck there in the valley.

5. accedentque sacerdotes filii Levi, quos elegerit Dominus Deus tuus, ut ministrent ei et benedicant in nomine eius, et ad verbum eorum omnis causa et omnis percussio iudicetur.

5. And the priests the sons of Levi shall come forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to minister to him and to bless in the name of the LORD, and by their word every dispute and every assault shall be settled.

6. Et omnes maiores natu civitatis illius, qui prope interfectum sunt, lavabunt manus suas super vitulam, quae apud torrentem percussa est,

6. And all the elders of that city nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley;

7. et dicent: “Manus nostrae non effuderunt hunc sanguinem, nec oculi nostri viderunt;

7. and they shall testify, `Our hands did not shed this blood, neither did our eyes see it shed.

8. propitius esto populo tuo Israel, quem redemisti, Domine, et non reputes sanguinem innocentem in medio populi tui Israel”. Et auferetur ab eis reatus sanguinis.

8. Forgive, O LORD, thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and set not the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of thy people Israel; but let the guilt of blood be forgiven them.'

9. Tu autem removebis innocentem cruorem, cum feceris, quod rectum est in oculis Domini.

9. So you shall purge the guilt of innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the sight of the LORD.

10. Si egressus fueris ad pugnam contra inimicos tuos, et tradiderit eos Dominus Deus tuus in manu tua, captivosque duxeris

10. "When you go forth to war against your enemies, and the LORD your God gives them into your hands, and you take them captive,

11. et videris in numero captivorum mulierem pulchram et adamaveris eam voluerisque habere uxorem,

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

12. introduces eam in domum tuam. Quae radet caesariem et circumcidet ungues

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

13. et deponet vestem captivitatis sedensque in domo tua flebit patrem et matrem suam uno mense; et postea intrabis ad eam sociaberisque illi, et erit uxor tua.

13. And she shall put off her captive's garb, and shall remain in your house and bewail her father and her mother a full month; after that you may go in to her, and be her husband, and she shall be your wife.

14. Sin autem postea non sederit animo tuo, dimittes eam liberam; nec vendere poteris pecunia nec opprimere per potentiam, quia humiliasti eam.

14. Then, if you have no delight in her, you shall let her go where she will; but you shall not sell her for money, you shall not treat her as a slave, since you have humiliated her.

15. Si habuerit homo uxores duas, unam dilectam et alteram odiosam, genuerintque ei liberos, et fuerit filius odiosae primogenitus,

15. "If a man has two wives, the one loved and the other disliked, and they have borne him children, both the loved and the disliked, and if the first-born son is hers that is disliked,

16. volueritque substantiam inter filios suos dividere, non poterit filium dilectae facere primogenitum et praeferre filio odiosae,

16. then on the day when he assigns his possessions as an inheritance to his sons, he may not treat the son of the loved as the first-born in preference to the son of the disliked, who is the first-born,

17. sed filium odiosae agnoscet primogenitum dabitque ei de cunctis, quae habuerit, duplicia; iste est enim principium roboris eius, et huic debentur primogenita.

17. but he shall acknowledge the first-born, the son of the disliked, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the first issue of his strength; the right of the first-born is his.

18. Si genuerit homo filium contumacem et protervum, qui non audiat patris aut matris imperium et coercitus oboedire contempserit,

18. "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son, who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they chastise him, will not give heed to them,

19. apprehendent eum et ducent ad seniores civitatis suae et ad portam iudicii

19. then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives,

20. dicentque ad eos: “Filius noster iste protervus et contumax est: monita nostra audire contemnit, comissationibus vacat et luxuriae atque conviviis potatorum”.

20. and they shall say to the elders of his city, `This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.'

21. Lapidibus eum obruent viri civitatis, et morietur, ut auferatis malum de medio vestri, et universus Israel audiens pertimescat.

21. Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall purge the evil from your midst; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

22. Quando peccaverit homo, quod morte plectendum est, et occisum appenderis in patibulo,

22. "And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree,

23. non permanebit cadaver eius in ligno; sed in eadem die sepelietur, quia maledictus a Deo est, qui pendet in ligno; et nequaquam contaminabis terram tuam, quam Dominus Deus tuus dederit tibi in possessionem.

23. his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is accursed by God; you shall not defile your land which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance.



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Footnotes:

21:1-9 - Instructions regarding community responsibility in the event of an unsolved homicide emphasize the importance of justice and the purity of the land. The application of these laws emphasizes the need to seek reconciliation with God after an act of violence (see also Numbers 35:30-34 and Matthew 5:23-24).

21:10-14 - Legislation regarding women in captivity reflects the need for dignity and respect, even in wartime situations. The marriage process aims to ensure protection and commitment, demonstrating that God values human dignity in all circumstances (see also 1 Peter 3:7 and Galatians 3:28).

21:15-17 - The regulations governing children's inheritance demonstrate the importance of family justice. The instructions ensure that all children are treated fairly, reflecting God's righteous character in their decisions (see also James 2:1-4 and Ephesians 6:4).

21:18-21 - Disciplining a rebellious child is a serious matter, highlighting the responsibility of parents to train their children. The severity of the punishment highlights the need to protect the community from rebellion and disobedience (see also Proverbs 22:15 and Ephesians 6:1-3).

21:22-23 - The importance of the dignity of the human body is emphasized by prohibiting the display of an executed body. Preserving honor, even after death, reflects the value of life before God (see also Galatians 6:7-8 and Romans 14:8-9).

Verses related to Liber Deuteronomii, 21:

Deuteronomy chapter 21 addresses complex legal situations. How does God deal with difficult moral questions? This comprehensive text covers topics such as unsolved murders, marriage to war captives, firstborn rights, and wayward sons. The chapter reveals God's concern for justice, purity, and social order, even in challenging circumstances. Deuteronomy 21 demonstrates the practical application of divine law in real-life situations. Reflect with us on five biblical passages that relate to the deep themes of this intriguing chapter.

Matthew 27:24: "When Pilate saw that he was not getting any results, but that, on the contrary, a riot was starting, he drank water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. And he declared: 'I am innocent of this man's blood. It's your responsibility!'" - This action by Pilate echoes the handwashing ritual described in Deuteronomy 21:1-9 for unsolved murder cases.

Galatians 3:13: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse in our place, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'" - Paul quotes Deuteronomy 21:23, applying it to the crucifixion of Jesus.

Ephesians 6:1-3: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and your mother', which is the first commandment with a promise: 'so that everything goes well for you and you have a long life on earth'." - This verse reflects the principle of honoring parents that is addressed in Deuteronomy 21:18-21, albeit with a milder application.

1 Peter 3:7: "In the same way, you husbands, be wise in your relationships with your wives and treat them with honor, as the most fragile part and co-heirs of the gift of the grace of life, so that your prayers are not interrupted." - This verse reflects the principle of treating women with respect, which is addressed in Deuteronomy 21:10-14 in the context of women captured in war.

Hebrews 12:7: "Endure difficulties, accepting them as discipline; God treats them like children. Now, what son is not disciplined by his father?" - This verse reflects the theme of parental discipline, which is addressed more severely in Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

FAQ:

What should be done if a body is found in a field?

If a body is found in a field, the elders and judges must perform a rite of atonement for the blood spilled, using a heifer. (Deuteronomy 21:1-9)

What are the rules for inheritance of a firstborn?

The firstborn, even if the father has children by other wives, must receive a double portion of the inheritance, according to the established law. (Deuteronomy 21:15-17)

What should be done if a man marries a woman and she is not pleasing to him?

If a man finds a woman unlovable and accuses her of immoral behavior, he must give her a bill of divorce, and she may marry another man. (Deuteronomy 21:10-14)

How should disobedient and rebellious children be treated?

Children who are disobedient and rebellious must be taken to the city elders, and if they persist in their disobedience, they may be stoned to death. (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

What does the law say about hanging a convict?

The body of a hanged man must be removed the same day, for hanging is a curse from God. The body must not remain on the tree overnight. (Deuteronomy 21:22-23)


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