Deuteronomy 21

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 21 of 34

1 If one is found slain in the land which Jehovah your God is giving to you, to possess it, lying in the field, and it is not known who has struck him;

2 then your elders and your judges shall come out. And they shall measure to the cities which are around the one slain.

3 And it shall be, that the city nearest to the one slain, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd, which has not been worked with, and which has not drawn in the yoke.

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Chapter Summary

Rules concerning an uncertain murder. 10 The usage of a captive taken to wife. 18 A stubborn son is to be stoned to death.

Key Hebrew Words

הַנְחִיל֣ get as a possession H5157 · TWOT 1342
נַחֲלָֽה possession H5159 · TWOT 1342a
תִתְעַמֵּ֣ר deal tyrannically H6014 · TWOT 1646
עִיר֖ excitement H5892 · TWOT 1587a
שִׁבְיָ֜ captivity H7633 · TWOT 2311c

People & Context

Atonement for an Unsolved Murder

If a slain body is found in a field, elders of the nearest city must break a heifer's neck by a running stream and wash their hands, declaring innocen…

Law of the Captive Woman

An Israelite who desires a female captive must let her shave her head, pare her nails, and mourn her parents for a month before marriage. If he later …

Law of the Firstborn's Double Portion

A man with two wives must give the double portion inheritance to his true firstborn son, even if he is the son of the unloved wife.

Timeline

Atonement for an Unsolved Murder

If a slain body is found in a field, elders of the nearest city must break a heifer's neck by a running stream and wash their hands, declaring innocence to remove the bloodguilt.

Deuteronomy 21:1-9
Law of the Captive Woman

An Israelite who desires a female captive must let her shave her head, pare her nails, and mourn her parents for a month before marriage. If he later rejects her, she goes free, not sold as a slave.

Deuteronomy 21:10-14
Law of the Firstborn's Double Portion

A man with two wives must give the double portion inheritance to his true firstborn son, even if he is the son of the unloved wife.

Deuteronomy 21:15-17

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