Deuteronomy 21:13 - She shall take off the clothing of her captivity, and shall remain in your house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month. After that you shall go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Deuteronomy 21:13" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 21:13 is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 21:10-14) dealing with the treatment of a female war captive whom an Israelite man desires to marry. The verse outlines a specific period and set of actions that must occur before the marriage can take place. Let's break down the meaning:
"She shall take off the clothing of her captivity..." This implies that the woman should no longer be treated as a prisoner of war. It symbolizes a transition from her previous status to a new one within the Israelite household. It could also be seen as a literal act of removing clothing that might be associated with her former life or religion, signifying a separation from her past.
"...and shall remain in your house..." The woman is to reside in the Israelite man's home. This is a crucial point. It's not a situation where the man can simply take her as a wife immediately after capture. She is given a period of transition and integration.
"...and bewail her father and her mother a full month." This is a mourning period. The woman is given a month to grieve the loss of her family and her previous life. This highlights the respect and empathy that the law demands for the woman's emotional state. It acknowledges the trauma and displacement she has experienced. It's a recognition of her humanity.
"After that you shall go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife." Only after the mourning period and the period of integration into the household is the man permitted to consummate the marriage. This emphasizes that the marriage should be based on a degree of consent and integration, rather than forced or immediate.
Interpretations and Significance:
Humanity and Restraint: The passage as a whole is seen as an attempt to humanize the treatment of female war captives in a brutal ancient world. While marriage to a war captive might seem problematic from a modern perspective, the law imposes restrictions and conditions designed to protect the woman's dignity and emotional well-being.
Assimilation: The mourning period can also be interpreted as a time for the woman to begin assimilating into Israelite culture, albeit through a period of grief and adjustment.
Consent: The month-long waiting period, and the removing of the clothing of captivity, can be seen as allowing the woman time to adjust to her new circumstances and potentially voice any objections (though this is not explicitly stated).
Protection against Exploitation: The stipulations act as a buffer against impulsive or purely exploitative behavior by the Israelite man.
Later Provisions in the Chapter: It is important to note what follows in verse 14: "And it shall be that if you have no delight in her, then you shall let her go wherever she wishes. But you shall by no means sell her for money; you shall not treat her brutally, because you have humbled her." This reinforces the idea that the woman cannot simply be discarded if the man changes his mind. She must be allowed to go free, and she cannot be sold into slavery.
Modern Considerations:
It's crucial to understand this verse within its historical context. The concept of warfare and marriage in the ancient Near East was very different from modern views. While the regulations may have been progressive for their time, they are still viewed through a modern lens as problematic due to the inherent inequality in the situation. Modern ethical considerations would strongly condemn the practice of capturing and marrying women against their will, regardless of any attempts to mitigate the trauma involved.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 21:13 outlines a series of actions intended to govern the marriage of an Israelite man to a female war captive. The verse emphasizes a period of mourning, integration, and a degree of restraint on the part of the man, reflecting an attempt to inject humanity and compassion into a difficult and morally complex situation within the context of ancient warfare.
Deuteronomy 21:13 - She shall take off the clothing of her captivity, and shall remain in your house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month. After that you shall go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife.
What does "Deuteronomy 21:13" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 21:13 is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 21:10-14) dealing with the treatment of a female war captive whom an Israelite man desires to marry. The verse outlines a specific period and set of actions that must occur before the marriage can take place. Let's break down the meaning:
"She shall take off the clothing of her captivity..." This implies that the woman should no longer be treated as a prisoner of war. It symbolizes a transition from her previous status to a new one within the Israelite household. It could also be seen as a literal act of removing clothing that might be associated with her former life or religion, signifying a separation from her past.
"...and shall remain in your house..." The woman is to reside in the Israelite man's home. This is a crucial point. It's not a situation where the man can simply take her as a wife immediately after capture. She is given a period of transition and integration.
"...and bewail her father and her mother a full month." This is a mourning period. The woman is given a month to grieve the loss of her family and her previous life. This highlights the respect and empathy that the law demands for the woman's emotional state. It acknowledges the trauma and displacement she has experienced. It's a recognition of her humanity.
"After that you shall go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife." Only after the mourning period and the period of integration into the household is the man permitted to consummate the marriage. This emphasizes that the marriage should be based on a degree of consent and integration, rather than forced or immediate.
Interpretations and Significance:
Humanity and Restraint: The passage as a whole is seen as an attempt to humanize the treatment of female war captives in a brutal ancient world. While marriage to a war captive might seem problematic from a modern perspective, the law imposes restrictions and conditions designed to protect the woman's dignity and emotional well-being.
Assimilation: The mourning period can also be interpreted as a time for the woman to begin assimilating into Israelite culture, albeit through a period of grief and adjustment.
Consent: The month-long waiting period, and the removing of the clothing of captivity, can be seen as allowing the woman time to adjust to her new circumstances and potentially voice any objections (though this is not explicitly stated).
Protection against Exploitation: The stipulations act as a buffer against impulsive or purely exploitative behavior by the Israelite man.
Later Provisions in the Chapter: It is important to note what follows in verse 14: "And it shall be that if you have no delight in her, then you shall let her go wherever she wishes. But you shall by no means sell her for money; you shall not treat her brutally, because you have humbled her." This reinforces the idea that the woman cannot simply be discarded if the man changes his mind. She must be allowed to go free, and she cannot be sold into slavery.
Modern Considerations:
It's crucial to understand this verse within its historical context. The concept of warfare and marriage in the ancient Near East was very different from modern views. While the regulations may have been progressive for their time, they are still viewed through a modern lens as problematic due to the inherent inequality in the situation. Modern ethical considerations would strongly condemn the practice of capturing and marrying women against their will, regardless of any attempts to mitigate the trauma involved.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 21:13 outlines a series of actions intended to govern the marriage of an Israelite man to a female war captive. The verse emphasizes a period of mourning, integration, and a degree of restraint on the part of the man, reflecting an attempt to inject humanity and compassion into a difficult and morally complex situation within the context of ancient warfare.