Deuteronomy 21:11
And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
Original Language Analysis
וְרָאִיתָ֙
And seest
H7200
וְרָאִיתָ֙
And seest
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 10
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בַּשִּׁבְיָ֔ה
among the captives
H7633
בַּשִּׁבְיָ֔ה
among the captives
Strong's:
H7633
Word #:
2 of 10
exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively)
וְחָֽשַׁקְתָּ֣
and hast a desire
H2836
וְחָֽשַׁקְתָּ֣
and hast a desire
Strong's:
H2836
Word #:
6 of 10
to cling, i.e., join, (figuratively) to love, delight in; elliptically; to deliver
Historical Context
Comparison with other ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hittite, Assyrian) reveals none required marriage for captive women—they were considered spoils of war for sexual use. Deuteronomy elevates the woman to legal wife status, giving her protections unavailable to mere slaves or concubines.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this law's requirement of marriage (permanent covenant) rather than temporary sexual use challenge modern casual approaches to sexuality?
- In what ways does regulating desire rather than denying it reflect biblical realism about human nature and need for divine law?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her (וְרָאִיתָ בַּשִּׁבְיָה אֵשֶׁת יְפַת־תֹּאַר וְחָשַׁקְתָּ בָהּ)—The verb chashak (desire) is intense, appearing in Genesis 34:8 of Shechem's desire for Dinah and Psalm 91:14 of God's love for His people. The law acknowledges sexual desire without condemning it, but immediately regulates it to protect the vulnerable woman.
That thou wouldest have her to thy wife (וְלָקַחְתָּ לְךָ לְאִשָּׁה)—The phrase lakach le'ishah means full wife, not concubine or sex slave. The law requires marriage if the man acts on his desire, fundamentally different from treating war captives as sexual property. Protections follow in verses 12-14.