King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 22:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 22:7 in the King James Version says “But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou maye...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.”

Deuteronomy 22:7 · KJV

Context

5

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

6

If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:

7

But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.

8

When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.

9

Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled. fruit of thy seed: Heb. fulness of the seed

Read Deuteronomy 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days. The command let the dam go is emphatic - releasing the mother is not optional suggestion but firm requirement. Obedience to this seemingly minor law carries promise of blessing.

The promise that it may be well with thee connects faithful stewardship with personal flourishing. How we treat creation affects our own welfare. Wise resource management produces ongoing blessing; exploitation brings eventual scarcity.

The additional promise that thou mayest prolong thy days links this commandment to the fifth commandment's promise of long life for honoring parents. Paul notes this is the first commandment with promise, though this bird's nest law also promises extended life.

This teaches that God's law operates holistically - obedience in small matters contributes to comprehensive flourishing. No commandment is too minor to matter; all reflect God's wisdom for human thriving.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul refers to the fifth commandment as the first with promise (Ephesians 6:2), though this law also promises prolonged days. Both emphasize that obedience to God's wise ordering of relationships (human and environmental) produces blessing.

The connection between stewardship and longevity demonstrates practical wisdom - societies that exhaust their resources through exploitation suffer scarcity and decline.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does promise of blessing for obeying this minor law teach about comprehensive obedience?
  2. How does wise environmental stewardship contribute to personal and societal flourishing?
  3. Why does God connect treatment of creation with human welfare?
  4. What does this reveal about the importance of obeying even seemingly small commandments?
  5. How should the promise of prolonged life motivate sustainable rather than exploitative resource use?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
תְּשַׁלַּח֙1 of 13

“But thou shalt in any wise”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

תְּשַׁלַּח֙2 of 13

“But thou shalt in any wise”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת3 of 13
H853

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

הָאֵ֔ם4 of 13

“let the dam”

H517

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

וְאֶת5 of 13
H853

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

הַבָּנִ֖ים6 of 13

“the young”

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

תִּֽקַּֽח7 of 13

“and take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לָ֑ךְ8 of 13
H0
לְמַ֙עַן֙9 of 13
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יִ֣יטַב10 of 13

“to thee that it may be well”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

לָ֔ךְ11 of 13
H0
וְהַֽאֲרַכְתָּ֖12 of 13

“with thee and that thou mayest prolong”

H748

to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)

יָמִֽים׃13 of 13

“thy days”

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

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 22:7 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 22:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4:40Proverbs 22:4

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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