Deuteronomy 21:13

_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,_ When thou goest forth to war ... and seest among the captives a beautiful woman (cf. Numbers 31:18). According to the war customs of all ancient nations, a female captive became the slave of the victor, who had the sole and unchallengeable control of right to her person. Moses improved this existing usage by special regulations on the subject. He enacted that, in the event of her master being captivated by her beauty and contemplating a marriage with her, a month should be allowed to elapse, during which her perturbed feelings might be calmed, her mind reconciled to her altered condition, and she might bewail the loss of her parents, now to her the same as dead. A month was the usual period of mourning with the Jews; and the ci

10-14 By this law a soldier was allowed to marry his captive, if he pleased. This might take place upon some occasions; but the law does not show any approval of it. It also intimates how binding the laws of justice and honour are in marriage; which is a sacred engagement....

BEWAIL HER FATHER AND HER MOTHER A FULL MONTH - This is prescribed from motives of humanity, that the woman might have time and leisure to detach her affections from their natural ties, and prepare her mind for new ones....

EXPOSITION EXPIATION OF UNCERTAIN MURDER. TREATMENT OF A CAPTIVE TAKEN TO WIFE. RIGHTS OF THE FIRSTBORN. A REBELLIOUS, REFRACTORY SON TO BE JUDGED AND PUNISHED. A MALEFACTOR WHO HAS BEEN HANGED TO BE BURIED ERE NIGHTFALL. One general idea, viz. the sacredness of human life and of personal rights, connects the laws in this chapter together, as well as connects them with the laws in the two preceding chapters....

AND SHE SHALL PUT THE RAIMENT OF HER CAPTIVITY FROM OFF HER,.... Her beautiful garments, and gay apparel, in which she was taken captive; and which tended to stir up the stronger affection for her, and greater desire after her; and therefore, as some think, were ordered to be removed, to abate the ardour of love to her. Jarchi observes, that the daughters of the Gentiles used to adorn themselves in war, that they might cause others to commit fornication with them; and another writer before referred to says o, the daughters of Heathens used to adorn themselves in raiment of silk, and purple, and fine linen, and needlework, to allure and entice men with them; and therefore the law obliges to put off her beautiful garments, and clothe her with old worn out ones, that she might be less agreeable to him; though the putting off her fine clothes, and being clad with sordid ones, might be only a...

17. THE EXPIATION OF AN UNCERTAIN MURDER AND VARIOUS INSTRUCTIONS CHAPTER 21 _ 1. The expiation of an unknown murder (Deuteronomy 21:1)_ 2. Concerning a wife, who had been a prisoner of war (Deuteronomy 21:10) 3. The right of the firstborn (Deuteronomy 21:15) 4. The punishment of a rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:18) 5. The burial of one who hanged on a tree (Deuteronomy 21:22) The expiation of an unknown murder seems to find an interesting applicati

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 *

RAIMENT OF HER CAPTIVITY. mantle in which she was taken captive. "Of". Genitive of relation (see App-17). A FULL MONTH. Hebrew. a moon of days. husband. Hebrew Baal, or lord. Compare first occurrence of verb, Genesis 20:3....

Of Marriage with a Captive of War If a woman taken in war is desired for a wife (Deuteronomy 21:11 f.), she may be brought home, but the marriage shall not take place till she has shaved her hair, pared her nails, put away her former garments, and mourned her parents for a month (Deuteronomy 21:12 f.). If her husband's love for her fades he may let her go out free (Deuteronomy 21:14). In the Sg. address, with no feature incompatible with D's authorship, and impressed by his spirit both of humanity and of caution against infection by foreign idolatries. Yet in the light of Deuteronomy 7:3, forbidding marriage

_VER._ 13. _AND SHE SHALL PUT THE RAIMENT OF HER CAPTIVITY FROM OFF HER_— The French renders this more clearly: _and she shall put off the raiment which she wore when she was taken captive;_ evidently to put on more vile apparel, and such as was better suited to the state and habit of mourning. In this dress she was to _bewail her father and mother,_ either as slain in the war, or as likely to be seen no more by her; and this mourning was to continue _a full month,_ the time usually allowed the Jews to bewail their deceased relations. The Talmudists add, that during this time she was to be instructed in the Jewish religion; for no indications of idolatry were to be tolerated among the Hebrews. Philo has justly observed, that the wisdom and humanity of Moses are very remarkable in this law; whereby the soldiers are forbidden to indulge a hasty and brutal passion, are kept a whole month in...