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Deuteronomy, 21

1. If [one] be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, [and] it be not known who hath slain him:

1. If the corpse of a slain man is found in the land which Yahweh, your God, will give you, and it is not known who killed him,

2. Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which [are] round about him that is slain:

2. your judges and leaders shall go out to measure the distance between the victim and the surrounding cities to

3. And it shall be, [that] the city [which is] next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, [and] which hath not drawn in the yoke;

3. determine which city is nearest to the dead man. And the leaders of that city shall take a calf that has never been used for work or borne a yoke.

4. And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:

4. And they shall bring it down to an overflowing brook, to a place which has never been plowed or sown, and there they shall break its neck.

5. And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be [tried]:

5. The priests, descendants of Levi, shall be present for they were chosen by Yahweh to minister and give the blessings in his name, and they are those who decide on all lawsuits or criminal cases.

6. And all the elders of that city, [that are] next unto the slain [man], shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:

6. Then all the elders of the city nearest to the man found dead shall wash their hands in the brook over the calf whose neck was broken.

7. And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen [it].

7. And they shall pronounce these words, "Our hands did not shed this blood, and our eyes did not see it.

8. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.

8. Forgive, O Yahweh, your people of Israel whom you rescued, and do not charge them with this shedding of innocent blood."

9. So shalt thou put away the [guilt of] innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD.

9. So they shall be absolved from this blood; you shall have removed from your midst the guilt of innocent blood and have done what is right in the eyes of Yahweh.

10. When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,

10. When you go to war against your enemies, and Yahweh, your God, delivers them over to you,

11. And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;

11. if you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you fall in love with her and desire to have her as your wife,

12. Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;

12. you shall bring her to your house. First, she shall shave her head and clip her nails.

13. And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.

13. She shall take off the dress of a captive and stay in your house. And she will mourn for her father and mother for a month, after which you may have relations with her. So you shall be her husband and she your wife.

14. And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

14. If in time she does not please you anymore, you shall set her free. You shall not sell her for money, nor make her your slave, since you have taken her by force.

15. If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, [both] the beloved and the hated; and [if] the firstborn son be hers that was hated:

15. When a man has two wives and prefers one to the other, supposing that both of them bear him children, and the firstborn is the son of the wife he loves less,

16. Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit [that] which he hath, [that] he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, [which is indeed] the firstborn:

16. then on the day he divides the inheritance among his children, he cannot give the right of the firstborn to the son of the woman he prefers, at the expense of the true firstborn who is the son of the woman he loves less.

17. But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated [for] the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he [is] the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn [is] his.

17. On the contrary, he should recognize the child of the woman he loves less as the firstborn and give him a double share of all his property. He is his firstborn, and to him belongs the right of the firstborn.

18. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and [that], when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

18. If a man has a stubborn and rebellious child who does not pay attention to what his father or mother commands, and does not listen to them when they call him,

19. Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

19. his parents shall seize him and bring him before the leaders of the city, to the gate of judgment,

20. And they shall say unto 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.

20. and shall say to them: "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious, he does not pay any attention to us; he is spoiled and a drunkard."

21. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

21. Then all the men of this town shall stone him to death. In this way shall you banish evil from your midst, and all Israel upon knowing this shall fear.

22. And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

22. If a man, guilty of any crime that deserves death, has been put to death by hanging him on a tree,

23. His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged [is] accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

23. his body must not remain hanging there through the night. But you shall bury him on the same day because the hanged man is a curse of God. So you shall not defile the land which Yahweh, your God, gives you as an inheritance.



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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).

Versi relativi a Deuteronomy, 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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