Deuteronomy 21:14

Authorized King James Version

PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֞ה H1961
וְהָיָ֞ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 2 of 17
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֧א H3808
לֹ֧א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
חָפַ֣צְתָּ And it shall be if thou have no delight H2654
חָפַ֣צְתָּ And it shall be if thou have no delight
Strong's: H2654
Word #: 4 of 17
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
בָּ֗הּ H0
בָּ֗הּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 17
וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ֙ in her then thou shalt let her go H7971
וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ֙ in her then thou shalt let her go
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 6 of 17
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
לְנַפְשָׁ֔הּ whither she will H5315
לְנַפְשָׁ֔הּ whither she will
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 7 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
תִמְכְּרֶ֖נָּה but thou shalt not sell H4376
תִמְכְּרֶ֖נָּה but thou shalt not sell
Strong's: H4376
Word #: 8 of 17
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִמְכְּרֶ֖נָּה but thou shalt not sell H4376
תִמְכְּרֶ֖נָּה but thou shalt not sell
Strong's: H4376
Word #: 10 of 17
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
בַּכָּ֑סֶף for money H3701
בַּכָּ֑סֶף for money
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 11 of 17
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִתְעַמֵּ֣ר thou shalt not make merchandise H6014
תִתְעַמֵּ֣ר thou shalt not make merchandise
Strong's: H6014
Word #: 13 of 17
properly, apparently to heap; figuratively, to chastise (as if piling blows); to gather grain
בָּ֔הּ H0
בָּ֔הּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 14 of 17
תַּ֖חַת H8478
תַּ֖חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 15 of 17
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אֲשֶׁ֥ר of her because H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר of her because
Strong's: H834
Word #: 16 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עִנִּיתָֽהּ׃ thou hast humbled H6031
עִנִּיתָֽהּ׃ thou hast humbled
Strong's: H6031
Word #: 17 of 17
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

Analysis & Commentary

And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will (וְהָיָה אִם־לֹא חָפַצְתָּ בָּהּ וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ לְנַפְשָׁהּ)—If the man loses interest (lo chafatsta, you do not delight), he must shilach lenafshah (send her according to her desire), meaning release her to go where she chooses. This prevents treating her as disposable property once desire wanes.

But thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her (וְלֹא־תִתְעַמֵּר בָּהּ)—Because he has innah (humbled/violated) her through sexual relations, he cannot profit from her. The verb titammer (make merchandise/treat harshly) is forbidden—she's not chattel to be traded. Having taken her virginity, he owes her permanent protection or freedom, never enslavement.

Historical Context

This protection is remarkable: if the marriage fails, the woman goes free—not back into slavery, not sold for profit. She has more rights than a Hebrew slave (who served six years, Exodus 21:2) or a regular wife divorced without cause. The law severely limits the man's options once he has acted on his desire.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources