King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 21:20 Mean?

Deuteronomy 21:20 in the King James Version says “And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.”

Deuteronomy 21:20 · KJV

Context

18

If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

19

Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

20

And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

21

And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

22

And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice—The parental testimony benenu zeh sorer u-moreh ("this our son is stubborn and rebellious") repeats the language of verse 18, creating formal legal accusation. The phrase einenu shomea be-qolenu ("he will not obey our voice") emphasizes willful defiance of parental instruction rooted in Torah.

He is a glutton, and a drunkard—Zolel ve-sove ("glutton and drunkard," more literally "squanderer and drunkard") describes self-destructive lifestyle choices that waste family resources and dishonor the community. This isn't occasional excess but habitual dissipation. Proverbs 23:20-21 warns: "Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty."

The specific charges move beyond mere disobedience to characterize a lifestyle that violates covenant values. Jesus was falsely accused with these exact terms: "Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber" (Matthew 11:19), showing the law's misuse. In contrast, the prodigal son embodied this description ("devoured thy living with harlots," Luke 15:30) yet found grace, illustrating gospel mercy toward covenant-breakers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient agrarian society, a son who squandered family resources through gluttony and drunkenness threatened the family's economic survival. Inheritance meant stewardship of land and livestock that sustained future generations. A profligate son could reduce the family to poverty and disgrace. The charges are specific and verifiable—not subjective complaints but observable behaviors the elders could investigate. This protected against false accusations while addressing genuine threats to community welfare.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the specific charges of gluttony and drunkenness reveal that covenant-breaking manifests in concrete lifestyle choices, not just abstract rebellion?
  2. In what ways does Jesus's acceptance of the accusation "glutton and winebibber" demonstrate His identification with sinners, and how does the father's reception of the prodigal son reframe this law in light of the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאָֽמְר֞וּ1 of 13

“And they shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זִקְנֵ֣י3 of 13

“unto the elders”

H2205

old

עִיר֗וֹ4 of 13

“of his city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בְּנֵ֤נוּ5 of 13

“This our son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

זֶה֙6 of 13
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

סוֹרֵ֣ר7 of 13

“is stubborn”

H5637

to turn away, i.e., (morally) be refractory

וּמֹרֶ֔ה8 of 13

“and rebellious”

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

אֵינֶ֥נּוּ9 of 13
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

שֹׁמֵ֖עַ10 of 13

“he will not obey”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּקֹלֵ֑נוּ11 of 13

“our voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

זוֹלֵ֖ל12 of 13

“he is a glutton”

H2151

figuratively, to be loose morally, worthless or prodigal

וְסֹבֵֽא׃13 of 13

“and a drunkard”

H5433

to quaff to satiety, i.e., become tipsy

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 21:20 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 21:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 20:1Proverbs 23:29-35Proverbs 23:19-21Proverbs 29:17Proverbs 19:26

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