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:
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:
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;
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:
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:
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:
7 And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen 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.
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.
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,
11 And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
12 Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house, and she shall shave her head, and pare 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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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;
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.
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.
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:
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.
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is believed to have been written by Moses and contains his final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Chapter 21 of Deuteronomy focuses on laws and regulations for the Israelites to follow once they have settled in the land. It covers a range of topics, from dealing with unsolved murders to inheritance rights and treatment of rebellious children. This chapter serves as a reminder to the Israelites of their covenant with God and how they are to live as His chosen people.
1. Justice and Righteousness
One of the main themes of chapter 21 is justice and righteousness. The chapter opens with instructions on how to handle unsolved murders. In ancient times, the concept of blood vengeance was common, where the family of the victim was responsible for avenging their loved one's death. However, God commands the Israelites to handle these situations with justice and righteousness. They are to appoint judges and officers in their cities who will investigate and determine the guilt of the accused. If the accused is found guilty, they are to be put to death. This serves as a reminder that God is a just God and requires His people to administer justice fairly.
2. Respect for Human Life
Another important theme in this chapter is respect for human life. This is evident in the laws regarding the treatment of rebellious children and the rights of firstborn sons. In ancient times, the firstborn son was considered the most important and had a higher status than other children. However, God commands the Israelites to treat all their children equally and not show favoritism towards the firstborn. This serves as a reminder that all human life is valuable and should be treated with respect and equality.
3. Obedience and Submission to Authority
Chapter 21 also emphasizes the importance of obedience and submission to authority. The laws regarding rebellious children and the punishment for false witnesses highlight the consequences of disobedience and rebellion. God requires His people to obey and submit to those in authority, whether it be their parents or the judges and officers in their cities. This serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate authority and requires His people to submit to His will.
4. Purity and Holiness
The laws regarding purification after battle and the treatment of a wife taken captive also highlight the importance of purity and holiness. God commands the Israelites to purify themselves after battle and to not take anything unclean into their homes. This serves as a reminder that God's people are to be holy and set apart from the world.
5. Responsibility and Accountability
The final theme in this chapter is responsibility and accountability. The laws regarding inheritance rights and the treatment of wives highlight the responsibilities that come with being a member of God's chosen people. The firstborn son is responsible for carrying on the family name and providing for his family, and husbands are accountable for the well-being of their wives. This serves as a reminder that God's people have a responsibility to fulfill their duties and will be held accountable for their actions.
Chapter 21 of Deuteronomy serves as a reminder to the Israelites of their covenant with God and how they are to live as His chosen people. It emphasizes the importance of justice, righteousness, respect for human life, obedience and submission to authority, purity and holiness, and responsibility and accountability. These themes are still relevant today, and we can learn important lessons from them.
Firstly, God is a just God, and He expects His people to administer justice fairly. In a world where injustice and inequality are prevalent, this serves as a reminder that we are to seek justice and stand up for what is right.
Secondly, this chapter highlights the value of human life and the importance of treating all individuals with respect and equality. In a society where discrimination and prejudice are still present, this serves as a reminder that all human life is valuable and should be treated as such.
Thirdly, obedience and submission to authority are crucial in living a life that is pleasing to God. We are to submit to those in authority over us, whether it be our parents, government, or God Himself. This teaches us humility and the importance of following God's will.
Fourthly, the laws regarding purity and holiness remind us that as God's people, we are to be set apart from the world. We are to strive for purity in our thoughts, actions, and relationships, and avoid anything that may defile us.
Lastly, this chapter teaches us about responsibility and accountability. As members of God's chosen people, we have a responsibility to fulfill our duties and will be held accountable for our actions. This serves as a reminder to live a life that is pleasing to God and to fulfill our responsibilities with diligence and integrity.
In conclusion, chapter 21 of Deuteronomy is a reminder to the Israelites and us today of our covenant with God and how we are to live as His chosen people. It teaches us valuable lessons about justice, righteousness, respect for human life, obedience and submission to authority, purity and holiness, and responsibility and accountability. These themes are timeless and relevant, and we can learn much from them in our daily lives as we strive to follow God's will.
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