King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 21:12 Mean?

Deuteronomy 21:12 in the King James Version says “Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; pare: or, suffer to gro...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; pare: or, suffer to grow: Heb. make, or, dress”

Deuteronomy 21:12 · KJV

Context

10

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,

11

And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;

12

Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; pare: or, suffer to grow: Heb. make, or, dress

13

And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.

14

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.

Read Deuteronomy 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails (גִּלְּחָה אֶת־רֹאשָׁהּ וְעָשְׂתָה אֶת־צִפָּרְנֶיהָ)—The rituals of shaving her head (gillechah) and trimming nails mark transition from one identity to another. Some interpret this as removing her beauty to test the man's commitment; others see it as mourning ritual (cf. Jeremiah 16:6). Either way, the month delay prevents immediate sexual gratification.

Bringing her home to thine house (אֶל־תּוֹךְ בֵּיתֶךָ) signals protection, not immediate exploitation. The woman enters the household sphere before entering the marriage bed—a radical departure from treating captives as sexual objects to be used at the moment of conquest.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient warfare typically involved immediate rape of female captives—trophy and humiliation. By requiring the soldier to bring the woman home and wait a month, the law introduces cooling-off period and forces consideration of long-term commitment rather than momentary lust.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does requiring a waiting period before acting on desire apply to modern decisions about relationships, purchases, and commitments?
  2. What does bringing someone "home" before intimacy teach about the biblical order of covenant before consummation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַֽהֲבֵאתָ֖הּ1 of 10

“Then thou shalt bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל2 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תּ֣וֹךְ3 of 10

“her home”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ4 of 10

“to thine house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְגִלְּחָה֙5 of 10

“and she shall shave”

H1548

properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste

אֶת6 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֹאשָׁ֔הּ7 of 10

“her head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְעָֽשְׂתָ֖ה8 of 10

“and pare”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת9 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צִפָּרְנֶֽיהָ׃10 of 10

“her nails”

H6856

properly, a claw, i.e., (human) nail; also the point of a style (or pen, tipped with adamant)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 21:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 21:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 6:91 Corinthians 11:6Ephesians 4:22Leviticus 14:9

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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