Tyndale Open Study NotesDeuteronomy 21

The guilt of murder was usually removed through the death of the murderer (19:11–13; Numbers 35:30–34). However, if the murderer was unknown, the guilt could still be removed by using this ritual.

In contrast to the word translated murder in the Ten Commandments (see study note on 5:17), the Hebrew verb here translated as slain (literally pierced through) shows clear evidence that the death was not from natural causes.

A family member seeking revenge could not blame the entire community (19:6–7; Numbers 35:16–29).

The stream would be an ever-flowing brook. It would be located in an isolated area, away from people and animals. This would help keep it free from contaminants (anything that makes something unclean).

wash their hands: In the ancient world, people sometimes washed their hands to show they were innocent. This action showed that they were not guilty of wrongdoing (compare Matthew 27:24).

In this case, the community washed their hands to declare that they were not responsible for the crime. The crime had taken place near them, but they had not committed it.

Shaving her head and cutting her nails showed that the captive woman was leaving her home and family behind. These actions marked her separation from her past life.

By doing this, she prepared to join a new family and a new community. These actions symbolized that she was beginning a different stage of life.

Changing the clothes she was wearing showed that she was beginning a new life. It also showed that she was now identifying with a new family.

This change of clothing marked her transition from her former life to her new place in the community.

dishonored her: When a man first took a woman as a prisoner and later divorced her, he treated her as if she had little value. This action brought shame and pain to her.

To protect her from further harm, the law limited what he could do. He was not allowed to sell her as a slave or treat her like property.

Instead, he had to let her go free.

• God's law required that a firstborn son receive the largest share of his father's inheritance (see 21:15–16; 2 Kings 2:9). The custom of giving the firstborn son a double portion is first recorded here but was implied in earlier practice (see Genesis 25:31–34; 27:1–4; 48:8–22).

• that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength: The eldest male child had this special status because he showed that the father could have children, especially a son.

Calling someone a glutton and a drunkard was probably a common saying that implied self-indulgence and laziness. Such a person was seen as worthless, rebelling against both parents and the community, as well as God's authority (see Proverbs 23:20–21).

hang his body on a tree: This was not the method of execution, at least in this text. It was a shameful display of those already put to death for severe crimes punishable by death. This was probably to show the Lord's hatred of sin. It also warned others about committing similar acts (see also Genesis 40:19, 22; Joshua 10:26; 2 Samuel 4:12; 21:12; Esther 2:23; 7:10).

• anyone who is hung (literally a man hung): The ancient Greek version reads for everyone who is hanged on a tree. Compare Galatians 3:13, which explains how this saying applies to Jesus.

• is under God's curse: Sinners who refuse to repent experience God's judgment. But this saying probably means that people would assume God cursed someone in this condition. In reality, the person might have been misjudged or even killed without a legal trial.