Deuteronomy 21 14

Deuteronomy 21:14 kjv

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.

Deuteronomy 21:14 nkjv

And it shall be, if you have no delight in her, then you shall set her free, but you certainly shall not sell her for money; you shall not treat her brutally, because you have humbled her.

Deuteronomy 21:14 niv

If you are not pleased with her, let her go wherever she wishes. You must not sell her or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her.

Deuteronomy 21:14 esv

But if you no longer delight in her, you shall let her go where she wants. But you shall not sell her for money, nor shall you treat her as a slave, since you have humiliated her.

Deuteronomy 21:14 nlt

But if you marry her and she does not please you, you must let her go free. You may not sell her or treat her as a slave, for you have humiliated her.

Deuteronomy 21 verses

Deuteronomy 21 14 Meaning

Deuteronomy 21:14 sets a specific legal precedent regarding a female captive taken in war whom an Israelite man has married (as per the preceding verses, 21:10-13). It states that if the man no longer desires her, he must release her to go wherever she wishes. Critically, he is explicitly forbidden from selling her for money or treating her as a slave. The reason given is "since you have humiliated her," acknowledging the intrinsic indignity she has already endured as a captive, making further exploitation unacceptable. This law provided remarkable protection for a vulnerable individual in a challenging situation, reflecting God's concern for human dignity even within the realities of warfare in ancient times.

Deuteronomy 21 14 Context

Deuteronomy 21:14 is part of a series of miscellaneous laws immediately following rules regarding homicide and civic responsibility. Specifically, it concludes a short section (Deut 21:10-14) that outlines the specific procedures and limitations for an Israelite man who takes a female captive of war as a wife. This larger chapter, Deuteronomy 21, presents various regulations governing communal and family life, including discovery of unsolved murder, primogeniture rights, the stubborn and rebellious son, and burial practices. The placement of this law regarding a war captive demonstrates God's consistent concern for justice, humane treatment, and limiting exploitation, even in circumstances that were culturally accepted as brutal in the ancient Near East. It highlights that even war captives, particularly women who faced severe vulnerability, retained certain rights and dignity under God's law.

Deuteronomy 21 14 Word analysis

• if you no longer delight in her (כִּי לֹא-חָפַצְתָּ בָּהּ - ki lo-khafatsta bah): This phrase indicates a loss of affection, desire, or interest, signaling the end of the man's willingness to keep her as a wife. It acknowledges a marital situation has become untenable, but not a legal fault of the woman. It means 'not having pleasure in her' or 'not desiring her anymore'.
• you shall let her go (וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ לָהּ - ve'shillach'tah lah): This is a direct command meaning 'you shall send her away to her/herself'. It grants her release and a measure of freedom, a significant right for a captive in that era, allowing her self-determination regarding her future residence.
• where she wishes: This clarifies the nature of her freedom; she is not to be dictated to, but has autonomy to decide her next steps.
• But you shall not sell her for money (לֹא-תִמְכְּרֶנָּה בַּכָּסֶף - lo tim'kre'nah bakkeseph): This strictly prohibits her commodification. She cannot be treated as property to be resold, preventing her from becoming an item of trade or profit. This safeguards her from perpetual economic exploitation.
• nor treat her as a slave (וְלֹא-תִתְעַמֵּר בָּהּ - ve'lo tit'ammer bah): The Hebrew verb hit'ammer denotes oppressive or harsh treatment, to "deal brutally with," or "to compel to serve by violence." This specifically forbids her reduction to permanent servitude or abuse, differentiating her from common chattel slavery. She is not to be broken or harshly used.
• since you have humiliated her (תַּעֲנֶנָּה - ta'anennah): The Hebrew word 'anah has a broad semantic range including 'to humble,' 'to afflict,' 'to violate,' or 'to rape.' In the context of a war captive taken as a wife, it carries a strong implication of sexual violation and the resulting shame and subjugation she has endured. This phrase serves as the explicit legal and moral justification for the protections given to her. It underlines that because her dignity has already been grievously assaulted, further exploitation is morally intolerable and legally prohibited. It emphasizes that this initial act renders further abuse utterly unjust.

Deuteronomy 21 14 Bonus section

• This law highlights a principle of progressive revelation: While the complete prohibition of such war-marriage practices might seem ideal from a New Covenant perspective, this law acted as a crucial stepping stone, placing significant moral limits on unrestrained brutality that was prevalent. It was a measure designed to curb existing evils rather than endorsing them.
• The emphasis on the "humiliation" she has suffered places the onus and justification for her protection directly on the action of the man, effectively recognizing her violated state and demanding compensation in the form of freedom and prevention from further degradation.
• This passage indirectly challenges the complete objectification of human beings. Despite her status as a captive, she is still recognized as a person with intrinsic value, reflecting the Genesis truth that all humans bear the image of God.
• The Israelite law's protection for foreigners and marginalized individuals like the captive woman contrasts sharply with the often harsh or non-existent rights afforded to non-citizens or captives in other ancient legal codes (e.g., Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian laws), where human life was often treated as disposable property.

Deuteronomy 21 14 Commentary

Deuteronomy 21:14 stands as a profoundly counter-cultural law in the ancient Near East. Unlike surrounding nations where war captives, especially women, were considered spoils of war to be owned, sold, or brutalized without restriction, this Mosaic law introduces remarkable humane constraints. It does not condone the capture itself or the underlying act of humiliation; rather, it mitigates the dire consequences for the victim within the grim realities of that world. The explicit prohibition against selling her or treating her as a slave underscores that even a captive woman retains a fundamental human dignity and rights under God's covenant. The crucial phrase, "since you have humiliated her," acknowledges the grievous wrong she has suffered, making further exploitation a compounded injustice. This legislation reflects God's character of justice and compassion, demanding that Israel, as His covenant people, embody higher moral standards in their treatment of the vulnerable, distinct from the depravity of their neighbors. It's a testament to God's heart for the oppressed and marginalized, seeking to bring a semblance of mercy into situations of extreme hardship.