Deuteronomy 21:10-14

Another regulation (only here) pertaining to war (see ch. 20, which it should perhaps immediately follow). It is another example of D's humanitarianism (Deuteronomy 15:12 *). The relief claimed for the captive woman could not apply to a Canaanitish woman, as no Israelite was allowed to marry such a woman (Deuteronomy 7:3); besides, when conquered, the entire Canaanite foe (including women and children), was to be utterly destroyed (Deuteronomy 20:16).

Deuteronomy 21:12. Shaving the head (Deuteronomy 14:1 *) and paring the nails are acts of mourning (p. 110) as among the Arabs (see Lane, Arab Lex. 2409 4; Wellhausen, Reste 2, p. 156; W. R. Smith, Kinship 1, p. 178, Kinship 2, p. 209; OTJC 2, p. 368; RS 2, 428, n. 3; Bertholet, p. 66. The woman in the present case mourns her parents as if they were dead.