Deuteronomy 21:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֵסִ֩ירָה֩
And she shall put
H5493
וְהֵסִ֩ירָה֩
And she shall put
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
1 of 22
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שִׁבְיָ֜הּ
of her captivity
H7628
שִׁבְיָ֜הּ
of her captivity
Strong's:
H7628
Word #:
4 of 22
exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
מֵֽעָלֶ֗יהָ
H5921
מֵֽעָלֶ֗יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְיָֽשְׁבָה֙
from off her and shall remain
H3427
וְיָֽשְׁבָה֙
from off her and shall remain
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ
in thine house
H1004
בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ
in thine house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָבִ֥יהָ
her father
H1
אָבִ֥יהָ
her father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
10 of 22
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִמָּ֖הּ
and her mother
H517
אִמָּ֖הּ
and her mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
12 of 22
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
יָמִ֑ים
a full
H3117
יָמִ֑ים
a full
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 22
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
וְאַ֨חַר
and after
H310
וְאַ֨חַר
and after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כֵּ֜ן
H3651
כֵּ֜ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
תָּב֤וֹא
that thou shalt go
H935
תָּב֤וֹא
that thou shalt go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
17 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וּבְעַלְתָּ֔הּ
H1167
וּבְעַלְתָּ֔הּ
Strong's:
H1167
Word #:
19 of 22
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does honoring someone's need to grieve before moving forward reflect Christ's compassion for those in transition and loss?
- What modern equivalents exist where powerful people should respect the emotional needs and dignity of the vulnerable rather than exploiting them?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.