King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 21:13 Mean?

Deuteronomy 21:13 in the King James Version says “And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 21:13 · KJV

Context

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.

15

If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:

Read Deuteronomy 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her (וְהֵסִירָה אֶת־שִׂמְלַת שִׁבְיָהּ)—Removing the simlat shivyah (garment of captivity) symbolizes leaving her former life behind. This echoes Paul's language of putting off the old self and putting on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10).

And shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month (וְיָשְׁבָה בְּבֵיתֶךָ וּבָכְתָה אֶת־אָבִיהָ וְאֶת־אִמָּהּ יֶרַח יָמִים)—The verb bakah (bewail/weep) with a month's duration honors her grief. Her parents may be dead or lost forever—she needs time to mourn before embracing new life. This compassionate provision recognizes her humanity and emotional need.

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Historical & Cultural Context

No other ancient Near Eastern law code gave female war captives time to grieve their losses before being used sexually. This law treats the woman as a person with legitimate emotional needs, not merely as property. The month also allowed her to prove she wasn't pregnant by another man.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does honoring someone's need to grieve before moving forward reflect Christ's compassion for those in transition and loss?
  2. What modern equivalents exist where powerful people should respect the emotional needs and dignity of the vulnerable rather than exploiting them?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהֵסִ֩ירָה֩1 of 22

“And she shall put”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אֶת2 of 22
H853

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

שִׂמְלַ֨ת3 of 22

“the raiment”

H8071

a dress, especially a mantle

שִׁבְיָ֜הּ4 of 22

“of her captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

מֵֽעָלֶ֗יהָ5 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְיָֽשְׁבָה֙6 of 22

“from off her and shall remain”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ7 of 22

“in thine house”

H1004

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

וּבָֽכְתָ֛ה8 of 22

“and bewail”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

אֶת9 of 22
H853

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

אָבִ֥יהָ10 of 22

“her father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאֶת11 of 22
H853

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

אִמָּ֖הּ12 of 22

“and her mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

יֶ֣רַח13 of 22

“month”

H3391

a lunation, i.e., month

יָמִ֑ים14 of 22

“a full”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וְאַ֨חַר15 of 22

“and after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

כֵּ֜ן16 of 22
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

תָּב֤וֹא17 of 22

“that thou shalt go”

H935

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

אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙18 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וּבְעַלְתָּ֔הּ19 of 22
H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

וְהָֽיְתָ֥ה20 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְךָ֖21 of 22
H0
לְאִשָּֽׁה׃22 of 22

“and she shall be thy wife”

H802

a woman

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 21:13 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 21:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 45:10-11Luke 14:26-27

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