Deuteronomy 22 6

Deuteronomy 22:6 kjv

If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:

Deuteronomy 22:6 nkjv

"If a bird's nest happens to be before you along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, with the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;

Deuteronomy 22:6 niv

If you come across a bird's nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.

Deuteronomy 22:6 esv

"If you come across a bird's nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young.

Deuteronomy 22:6 nlt

"If you happen to find a bird's nest in a tree or on the ground, and there are young ones or eggs in it with the mother sitting in the nest, do not take the mother with the young.

Deuteronomy 22 verses

Deuteronomy 22 6 Meaning

Deuteronomy 22:6 prohibits the taking of a mother bird along with her young or eggs from a nest when encountered by chance. This law expresses a principle of compassion towards God's creation, stewardship over natural resources, and a reverence for the continuation of life. It ensures that the parent bird, which is responsible for brooding and raising its offspring, is preserved, allowing for the propagation of the species and teaching the Israelite a specific limitation on their dominion over the natural world.

Deuteronomy 22 6 Context

Deuteronomy 22 falls within the broader section of the Deuteronomic code (chapters 12-26), which outlines specific laws and statutes that would govern the Israelites' life once they entered the Promised Land. This chapter addresses a diverse array of civil, social, and moral regulations, ranging from rules about lost property and appropriate clothing to laws concerning agricultural practices, building safety, and sexual conduct. The "bird's nest law" appears alongside commands like erecting a parapet on a roof (Deut 22:8) and not planting a vineyard with two kinds of seed (Deut 22:9), showing its place within the broader concern for righteous and orderly living within the covenant. Historically and culturally, Israel was an agrarian society deeply connected to the natural world for sustenance. These laws were practical for daily life, but also instilled deep ethical and theological principles, teaching the people a holy separation from surrounding pagan practices which often exploited natural resources without restraint, and cultivated compassion as an essential characteristic of God's people.

Deuteronomy 22 6 Word analysis

• If a bird’s nest (ki yiqare qen tzippor - כִּי יִקָּרֵא קֵן צִפּוֹר): qen (nest) and tzippor (bird) highlight a natural habitat. Yiqare (happens to be before you, literally "is caused to meet you") suggests an incidental discovery, not active searching or purposeful exploitation. This law is for encounters during ordinary travels or work.
• happens to be before you along the way (lifanekha baderekh - לְפָנֶיךָ בַּדֶּרֶךְ): Emphasizes that this is not about systematic hunting or industry, but an everyday encounter. It signifies a spontaneous moral choice.
• in any tree or on the ground: Covers all common nesting locations, indicating the universality of the law across the Israelite landscape, not limited to specific species or environments.
• with young birds or eggs (or efrōḥimʾ o beiṣim - אוֹ אֶפְרֹחִים אוֹ בֵיצִים): Specifies the vulnerable stages of offspring (chicks or eggs). This is the key condition triggering the protective law, emphasizing the nascent life within the nest.
• and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs (weha'em roveṣet - וְהָאֵם רֹבֶצֶת): This is the crucial determinant for the prohibition. Roveṣet (sitting, brooding) implies her active role in nurturing and protecting. The law specifically respects the natural, vulnerable family unit.
• you shall not take the mother with the young (lo' tiqqah ha'em al habbanim - לֹא־תִקַּח הָאֵם עַל־הַבָּנִים): Lo' tiqqah is a strong negative command ("you shall not take"). "With the young" (al habbanim) implies simultaneously or together with them. This forbids taking both parent and offspring, thereby preventing the extermination of that immediate lineage.

Words-group Analysis:

• "If a bird’s nest happens to be before you along the way": This phrase frames the scenario as a serendipitous event during ordinary life, demanding a specific ethical response rather than prescribing commercial hunting rules. It tests a person's intrinsic morality when confronted with vulnerable life.
• "the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young": This is the core instruction. The mother bird's protective posture is recognized and respected. The prohibition prevents both the immediate eradication of a local population of birds and a disregard for the reproductive cycle. It reflects a divine concern for sustaining life and teaches the human a lesson in restraint and empathy. The instruction "you shall certainly let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself" (Deut 22:7) implies a balance: meeting human needs while maintaining species preservation.

Deuteronomy 22 6 Bonus Section

• This law, along with others like it, teaches Israel about the interconnectedness of creation and humanity’s responsibility within it. It’s an ancient principle that resonates deeply with modern ecological awareness and conservation efforts.
• In rabbinic thought, this command is called "shiluach haken" (sending away the mother from the nest) and is considered a prime example of a mitzvah (commandment) whose reward is explicitly mentioned in the Torah. It highlights how seemingly minor acts of obedience contribute to a fulfilling life.
• The emphasis on "going well with you" and "prolonging your days" links this compassionate act to the overarching theme of God's blessing for obedience to the covenant, drawing a direct parallel to the Fifth Commandment (Deut 5:16) regarding honoring parents. This underscores that compassion, respect for life, and ethical living are not optional but are fundamental to true well-being in the sight of God.
• Some scholars also view this law as teaching humility, limiting human entitlement even when encountering something easily attainable. It subtly promotes self-restraint and awareness of a greater purpose beyond immediate gratification.

Deuteronomy 22 6 Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:6 is a succinct yet profound divine instruction. Far from being a mere legislative oddity, it embodies multiple foundational principles crucial for Israel's ethical and spiritual formation. At its most immediate level, it instills compassion. By forbidding the taking of a brooding mother along with her offspring, it prevents wanton cruelty and recognizes the intrinsic value of even a humble bird's life and the natural bond between parent and young. This cultivation of mercy towards animals serves as a foundation for developing similar empathy for fellow humans.

Furthermore, the law speaks to principles of environmental stewardship and responsible resource management. In an ancient world where resource depletion was a real concern, this command acted as a sustainable harvesting practice. It ensures the continuity of the species by protecting the breeding stock, guaranteeing future generations of birds, and by extension, a healthy ecosystem for human benefit.

The theological implication is also significant. If God cares so much for sparrows and their families (Luke 12:6), it reveals His character as a Sustainer of life, concerned with the welfare of all His creation. It reminds Israel that their dominion over creation (Gen 1:28) is not absolute license but a stewardship under the sovereign Creator. This command, like others concerning compassion and just treatment, reflects God’s holiness and love, cultivating similar characteristics in His people. The attached promise of "that it may go well with you and that you may prolong your days" (Deut 22:7) connects obedience to this small, seemingly insignificant command with a broad blessing of prosperity and longevity. It suggests that national well-being is intricately linked to collective righteous conduct, even in the smallest matters, and reinforces the holistic nature of God's covenant.