Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 21דברים 21

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Deuteronomy 21 gathers five case-laws safeguarding both the vulnerable and the land's purity: an unsolved murder atoned by the elders' heifer-rite (vv.1-9); a captive wife who, if unwanted, must be freed rather than sold (vv.10-14); the firstborn's birthright fixed by birth order, not paternal favor (vv.15-17); a stubborn son's last-resort discipline (vv.18-21); and an executed criminal buried by nightfall, lest the land itself bear a curse (vv.22-23).

Translation & textual notes

Deuteronomy 21 is textually well preserved in the MT; its one notable crux is the ketiv/qere at v.7, where the consonantal שפכה (which would read as 3fs, oddly agreeing with the dual יָדֵינוּ as if grammatically singular) is read per the qere as שָׁפְכוּ (3cp), correctly matching 'our hands' — the Samaritan Pentateuch and several medieval manuscripts already read the plural outright, suggesting the ketiv preserves an old orthographic quirk rather than a substantive variant. The rare Hitpael תִתְעַמֵּר (v.14, 'treat as merchandise') occurs nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible, and its precise nuance — possibly connected to a Semitic root for trade/dealing — has been debated since antiquity; the LXX renders it loosely as a further prohibition against humiliation, a plausible but not certain sense. The alternation between שְׂנוּאָה and the rarer nominal שְׂנִיאָה (vv.15,17) is ordinary morphological variation, not a textual problem. Interpretively, the chapter's five independent case-laws (unsolved murder, captive wife, firstborn's right, rebellious son, hanged criminal) are linked mainly by catchword and theme: אֲדָמָה and blood/land purity frame vv.1-9 and vv.22-23, while the middle units share a concern for household authority and its limits. Rabbinic tradition (b. Sanhedrin 71a) famously fenced the rebellious-son law with evidentiary conditions so stringent that it concludes 'there never was and never will be' such a case, treating vv.18-21 as a subject for study rather than an operative statute.

1

כִּי יִמָּצֵ֣א חָלָ֗ל בָּאֲדָמָה֙ אֲשֶׁר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ נֹתֵ֤ן לְךָ֙ לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ נֹפֵ֖ל בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה לֹ֥א נוֹדַ֖ע מִ֥י הִכָּֽהוּ

If a slain man is found lying in the open field, in the land that YHWH your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who struck him,

Casuistic protasis opening the pericopeasyndeton
The chapter opens with the classic case-law formula (כִּי + imperfect); the elaborate ritual of vv.2-9 is the apodosis answering to this single unresolved circumstance — a corpse with no known assailant.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
כִּיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/casuistic conjunction (opens the case law)כִּי (H3588), multivalent conjunction 'if, when, that, because'; here launches the casuistic protasis typical of Deuteronomic law ('if/when such a case arises').
יִמָּצֵ֣אis foundNiphal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol/Niphal: imperfective, contingent — 'should be found', an as-yet-unrealized caseמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal is passive, 'be found, turn up' — the hypothetical corpse is discovered with no agent specified.
חָלָ֗לa slain manadj (subst.) m sg abs · חָלָל (H2491)Subject of יִמָּצֵאחָלָל (H2491) properly 'pierced, fatally wounded'; used substantivally for a corpse — the anonymous slain man whose unknown killer triggers the whole rite.
בָּאֲדָמָה֙on the groundprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Locative prepositional phrase (modifying יִמָּצֵא)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil, arable land'; distinct from אֶרֶץ, it stresses the tillable earth that bloodguilt can defile (cf. v.23).
אֲשֶׁר֩whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying אֲדָמָהאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle 'who, which, that'; here qualifies 'the ground' YHWH is giving.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, traditionally read אֲדֹנָי; subject of the recurring Deuteronomic land-gift formula.
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God', plural of majesty; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God' — standard covenantal address.
נֹתֵ֤ןis givingQal act ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (main verb of the relative clause)→ Participle: durative — the land-gift is presented as an ongoing divine actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the participle casts Israel's land as a still-unfolding gift, a fixed Deuteronomic formula.
לְךָ֙to youprep לְ + 2ms suffixIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ preposition marking the recipient of the gift, 'to/for you.'
לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose clause (referring to אֲדָמָה)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the intended goal of the giftיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to take possession of, inherit, dispossess'; 'to possess it', the fs suffix pointing back to the land.
נֹפֵ֖לfallenQal act ptc m sg abs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate participle in apposition to חָלָל, resuming the subject after the relative clause→ Participle: stative/descriptive, depicting the corpse's condition as foundנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; the participle pictures the body lying fallen — resumptive after the digression on the land.
בַּשָּׂדֶ֑הin the fieldprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Locative prepositional phrase (modifying נֹפֵל)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'open field, countryside'; the unpopulated setting that makes tracing the killer impossible.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נוֹדַעלֹא (H3808), the ordinary Hebrew negative particle.
נוֹדַ֖עit is knownNiphal perf 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective/Niphal: a settled state — 'it has not become known'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Niphal 'become known, be known' — the crux of the case: no culprit can be identified.
מִ֥יwhointerrogative pron · מִי (H4310)Subject of the embedded questionמִי (H4310), interrogative pronoun 'who?', introducing the unanswerable question at the law's heart.
הִכָּֽהוּstruck himHiphil perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb of the embedded interrogative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of violence, now unattributableנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hiphil is the normal stem for a fatal blow, 'struck him down.'
2

וְיָצְא֥וּ זְקֵנֶ֖יךָ וְשֹׁפְטֶ֑יךָ וּמָדְדוּ֙ אֶל הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר סְבִיבֹ֥ת הֶחָלָֽל

then your elders and your judges shall go out, and they shall measure the distance to the cities that are around the slain man.

Sequential apodosis (first instructed action)וְ
The first weqatal in the chain of instructions responding to v.1's protasis: local elders and judges must establish jurisdiction by measuring distance — proximity, not evidence, fixes responsibility for the rite.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְיָצְא֥וּand they shall go outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb, main clause (apodosis begins)→ Weqatal: sequential/consequential — the first instructed action following the casuistic protasisיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; weqatal continues the instruction sequence begun implicitly by the protasis of v.1.
זְקֵנֶ֖יךָyour eldersadj (subst.) m pl constr + 2ms suffix · זָקֵן (H2205)Subject of וְיָצְאוּזָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantival plural 'elders', the local judicial-civic authorities who administer the rite.
וְשֹׁפְטֶ֑יךָand your judgesconj וְ + Qal act ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · שָׁפַט (H8199)Coordinate subject of וְיָצְאוּ→ Participle (substantival): 'those who judge' — a standing office-titleשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'; the substantival participle 'judges' names a distinct civic office alongside the elders.
וּמָדְדוּ֙and they shall measureconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · מָדַד (H4058)Predicate verb, second in the sequence→ Weqatal: sequential instructionמָדַד (H4058) 'to measure'; the elders determine which town bears responsibility by measuring distance to the corpse.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (governs הֶעָרִים)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the cities as the object measured toward.
הֶ֣עָרִ֔יםthe citiesart + N f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of the preposition אֶלעִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; plural, the surrounding towns among which proximity to the corpse must be determined.
אֲשֶׁ֖רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying הֶעָרִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the clause 'that are around the slain man.'
סְבִיבֹ֥תaroundN (c) pl constr · סָבִיב (H5439)Predicate of the relative clause (locative noun used adverbially, 'around')סָבִיב (H5439) 'surrounding area, circuit'; construct plural used adverbially, 'the [cities] surrounding the slain man.'
הֶחָלָֽלthe slain manart + adj (subst.) m sg abs · חָלָל (H2491)Genitive complement of סְבִיבֹת (construct chain)חָלָל (H2491), with the article resuming the corpse introduced in v.1, the fixed point from which distances are measured.
3

וְהָיָ֣ה הָעִ֔יר הַקְּרֹבָ֖ה אֶל הֶחָלָ֑ל וְלָֽקְח֡וּ זִקְנֵי֩ הָעִ֨יר הַהִ֜וא עֶגְלַ֣ת בָּקָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא עֻבַּד֙ בָּ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא מָשְׁכָ֖ה בְּעֹֽל

then the elders of the city nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer of the herd that has not been worked and has not pulled in a yoke,

Sequential apodosis (specifies the sacrificial animal)וְ
The verse pivots from measurement to obligation: the single nearest city's elders must supply a heifer defined entirely by negatives (never worked, never yoked) — an animal whose value lies in its total lack of prior use, unlike an ordinary sacrifice.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְהָיָ֣הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing a new instruction (impersonal 'it shall be that...')→ Weqatal: sequential instructionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here an impersonal formula introducing the next stage of procedure, 'and it shall be [the case] that...'
הָעִ֔ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Subject of the clause (resumed by predicate adjective)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; the specific town determined to be nearest, now singled out from the general 'cities' of v.2.
הַקְּרֹבָ֖הthe nearestart + adj f sg abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Predicate adjective ('the city [that is] nearest')קָרוֹב (H7138) 'near'; superlative sense by context, 'the [city that measures] nearest' to the corpse.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Complement of הַקְּרֹבָהאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; governs the point of proximity, the slain man.
הֶחָלָ֑לthe slain manart + adj (subst.) m sg abs · חָלָל (H2491)Object of the preposition אֶלחָלָל (H2491), again the corpse, the fixed reference point of the measurement.
וְלָֽקְח֡וּshall takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, main instruction of the verse→ Weqatal: sequential instruction — the nearest town's elders now actלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the elders take responsibility by taking the sacrificial heifer.
זִקְנֵי֩the elders ofadj (subst.) m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Subject of וְלָקְחוּזָקֵן (H2205) 'elder'; construct, 'elders of [that city]' — the local authority now specifically identified.
הָעִ֨ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive in the construct chain זִקְנֵי הָעִירעִיר (H5892) 'city'; the same nearest city named again for clarity.
הַהִ֜ואthatart + independent pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of הָעִיר ('that city')הוּא/הִיא (H1931) 3fs personal pronoun; with the article it functions demonstratively, 'that (aforementioned) city.'
עֶגְלַ֣תa heifer ofN f sg constr · עֶגְלָה (H5697)Object of וְלָקְחוּ (construct chain)עֶגְלָה (H5697) 'young cow, heifer'; construct, 'a heifer of [the herd]' — the animal at the center of the atonement rite.
בָּקָ֗רof the herdN (c) sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Genitive complement of עֶגְלַת (construct chain)בָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd'; collective, specifying the heifer's kind.
אֲשֶׁ֤רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces first relative clause modifying עֶגְלַת בָּקָראֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'that has not been worked.'
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates עֻבַּדלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
עֻבַּד֙has been workedPual perf 3ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective/Pual: a completed passive state — the animal has never been put to laborעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve'; Pual passive, 'has been worked/used for labor' — the heifer must never have borne a yoke, marking it wholly unused, fit for this unique rite.
בָּ֔הּwith itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixComplement of עֻבַּדבְּ preposition, 'with/by means of it' referring back to the heifer.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces second relative clause (coordinate with the first)אֲשֶׁר (H834), a second relative clause reinforcing the heifer's total unworked status.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates מָשְׁכָהלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
מָשְׁכָ֖הhas pulledQal perf 3fs · מָשַׁךְ (H4900)Predicate verb of the second relative clause→ Perfective: a completed state — she has never drawn a yokeמָשַׁךְ (H4900) 'to draw, drag, pull'; here 'has drawn/pulled [in a yoke]' — reinforcing that the animal has done no labor whatsoever.
בְּעֹֽלin a yokeprep בְּ + N m sg abs · עֹל (H5923)Locative/instrumental prepositional phrase (complement of מָשְׁכָה)עֹל (H5923) 'yoke'; the emblem of labor the heifer must never have borne.
4

וְהוֹרִ֡דוּ זִקְנֵי֩ הָעִ֨יר הַהִ֤וא אֶת הָֽעֶגְלָה֙ אֶל נַ֣חַל אֵיתָ֔ן אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא יֵעָבֵ֥ד בּ֖וֹ וְלֹ֣א יִזָּרֵ֑עַ וְעָֽרְפוּ שָׁ֥ם אֶת הָעֶגְלָ֖ה בַּנָּֽחַל

then the elders of that city shall bring the heifer down to a wadi with ever-flowing water, which is not worked and not sown, and there in the wadi they shall break the heifer's neck.

Sequential apodosis (the central ritual act)וְ
The rite's core action: an untouched heifer is killed by עריפה ('neck-breaking'), not the normal שחיטה of sacrifice, at an equally untouched site — the scene deliberately avoids the vocabulary and location of legitimate sacrifice, since this is a communal act of purgation, not an offering to God.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְהוֹרִ֡דוּshall bring downconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3cp · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb, main clause→ Weqatal: sequential instructionיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Hiphil causative 'bring down, lead down' — the elders conduct the heifer to the wadi.
זִקְנֵי֩the elders ofadj (subst.) m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Subject of וְהוֹרִידוּזָקֵן (H2205) 'elder'; construct, resuming the responsible city's elders from v.3.
הָעִ֨ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive in construct chain זִקְנֵי הָעִירעִיר (H5892) 'city', again the responsible nearest city.
הַהִ֤ואthatart + independent pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of הָעִירהִיא (H1931), demonstrative use, 'that (aforementioned) city.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks הָעֶגְלָה)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
הָֽעֶגְלָה֙the heiferart + N f sg abs · עֶגְלָה (H5697)Direct object of וְהוֹרִידוּעֶגְלָה (H5697) 'heifer', now definite, referring back to the animal just selected in v.3.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward', governing the wadi as destination.
נַ֣חַלa wadiN m sg abs · נַחַל (H5158)Object of the preposition אֶלנַחַל (H5158) 'wadi, stream-bed'; a seasonal or perennial watercourse — here qualified as 'ever-flowing.'
אֵיתָ֔ןever-flowingadj m sg abs · אֵיתָן (H386)Attributive adjective modifying נַחַלאֵיתָן (H386) 'perpetual, ever-flowing, enduring'; a watercourse with running water, strong enough to carry away the site of the rite — later halakhah (m. Sotah 9) instead reads it of an uncultivable rocky ravine.
אֲשֶׁ֛רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying נַחַל אֵיתָןאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'which is not worked and not sown.'
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יֵעָבֵדלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
יֵעָבֵ֥דis workedNiphal impf 3ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol/Niphal: durative-passive — a place characteristically never tilledעָבַד (H5647) 'to work'; Niphal passive, 'is worked/tilled' — the wadi-site must be as untouched as the heifer.
בּ֖וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms suffixLocative complement of יֵעָבֵדבְּ preposition, 'in it', referring to the wadi.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinates second negated verbלֹא (H3808), the negative, coordinated with the preceding clause.
יִזָּרֵ֑עַis sownNiphal impf 3ms · זָרַע (H2232)Predicate verb, second relative clause (coordinate)→ Yiqtol/Niphal: durative-passive — characteristically never plantedזָרַע (H2232) 'to sow'; Niphal passive, 'is sown' — the site is doubly unworked, neither plowed nor planted.
וְעָֽרְפוּand they shall break the neck ofconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָרַף (H6202)Predicate verb, main clause resuming after the relative clause→ Weqatal: sequential instruction — the central ritual actעָרַף (H6202) 'to break the neck'; a rare verb, giving the rite its name עֶגְלָה עֲרוּפָה 'the heifer whose neck is broken' — distinct from normal sacrificial slaughter (שָׁחַט).
שָׁ֥םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial modifier of locationשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; specifies the wadi itself as the site of the act.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks הָעֶגְלָה)אֵת (H853), marks the definite direct object of וְעָרְפוּ.
הָעֶגְלָ֖הthe heiferart + N f sg abs · עֶגְלָה (H5697)Direct object of וְעָרְפוּעֶגְלָה (H5697), the same heifer, now the direct object of the neck-breaking rite.
בַּנָּֽחַלin the wadiprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · נַחַל (H5158)Locative prepositional phraseנַחַל (H5158) 'wadi', repeated with the article to close the verse — the killing-site is named twice (שָׁם...בַּנָּחַל).
5

וְנִגְּשׁ֣וּ הַכֹּהֲנִים֮ בְּנֵ֣י לֵוִי֒ כִּ֣י בָ֗ם בָּחַ֞ר יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ לְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹ וּלְבָרֵ֖ךְ בְּשֵׁ֣ם יְהוָ֑ה וְעַל פִּיהֶ֥ם יִהְיֶ֖ה כָּל רִ֥יב וְכָל נָֽגַע

And the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for YHWH your God has chosen them to minister to him and to pronounce blessing in the name of YHWH, and by their word every dispute and every assault case shall be settled;

Explanatory aside (grounds the priests' presence before the rite resumes)וְ
A parenthetical justification: before the hand-washing of v.6, the text explains why priests attend at all — not to offer the heifer (never called a sacrifice) but because they are YHWH's chosen arbiters of legal disputes generally, lending judicial weight to the elders' oath.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְנִגְּשׁ֣וּshall come nearconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3cp · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Predicate verb, main clause→ Weqatal: sequential instructionנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to approach, draw near'; Niphal serves as the ordinary stem for approaching, 'shall come near/step forward.'
הַכֹּהֲנִים֮the priestsart + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְנִגְּשׁוּכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; here the Levitical priesthood, brought in to certify and formalize the elders' rite.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to הַכֹּהֲנִיםבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'sons of Levi' — identifies the priests by tribal lineage.
לֵוִי֒Leviproper noun · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitive in construct chain בְּנֵי לֵוִילֵוִי (H3878), the tribal ancestor whose descendants hold the priesthood in Deuteronomy's theology.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, introduces reason for the priests' roleכִּי (H3588) here causal, 'for, because' — explains why the priests must be present.
בָ֗םthemprep בְּ + 3mp suffixComplement of בָּחַר (fronted for emphasis)בְּ preposition with בָּחַר, 'chosen them' — the object is fronted, emphasizing the priests as YHWH's chosen.
בָּחַ֞רhas chosenQal perf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a settled, completed divine electionבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, elect'; YHWH's perpetual choice of the Levitical priesthood, a settled Deuteronomic theme.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of בָּחַריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the election formula.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), 'your God', in apposition to the divine name.
לְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹto serve himprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 3ms suffix · שָׁרַת (H8334)Purpose infinitival clause (object suffix = YHWH)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the priesthood's basic vocationשָׁרַת (H8334) 'to minister, serve' (Piel, technical for cultic service); 'to serve/minister to him.'
וּלְבָרֵ֖ךְand to blessconj וְ + prep לְ + Piel inf constr · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Coordinate purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the second Levitical functionבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel, the priestly act of pronouncing blessing, paired with cultic ministry as the priests' twin functions.
בְּשֵׁ֣םin the name ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Instrumental prepositional phrase (complement of לְבָרֵךְ)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; construct, 'in the name of YHWH' — blessing pronounced with divine authority.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of בְּשֵׁםיְהוָה (H3068), the divine name in whose authority the priestly blessing is spoken.
וְעַלand byconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase introducing new clauseעַל (H5921) 'upon, by'; here 'by/at [their word]', marking the standard of judicial decision.
פִּיהֶ֥םtheir wordN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · פֶּה (H6310)Complement of עַלפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiomatically 'by their word/verdict' — priestly pronouncement settles disputed cases.
יִהְיֶ֖הshall be [decided]Qal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (impersonal, governing the compound subject)→ Yiqtol: modal/prescriptive — a standing rule for future casesהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; here 'shall be [settled/decided]', a general prescriptive rule for legal procedure.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of יִהְיֶה (first of two coordinate subjects)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct, 'every dispute.'
רִ֥יבdisputeN (c) sg abs · רִיב (H7379)Genitive complement of כָּלרִיב (H7379) 'legal dispute, lawsuit, controversy'; the general category of contested civil cases.
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Second coordinate subject of יִהְיֶהכֹּל (H3605), construct, 'and every [assault case]', paired with רִיב.
נָֽגַעassault caseN m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Genitive complement of וְכָלנֶגַע (H5061) 'blow, stroke, plague, mark/infection'; here a case of bodily injury/assault, paired with civil disputes as matters the priesthood adjudicates.
6

וְכֹ֗ל זִקְנֵי֙ הָעִ֣יר הַהִ֔וא הַקְּרֹבִ֖ים אֶל הֶחָלָ֑ל יִרְחֲצוּ֙ אֶת יְדֵיהֶ֔ם עַל הָעֶגְלָ֖ה הָעֲרוּפָ֥ה בַנָּֽחַל

then all the elders of that city, the ones nearest to the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the wadi,

Resumed apodosis (main rite resumes after the priestly aside)וְ
The narrative returns to the elders (interrupted by v.5's priestly note) for the rite's central symbolic gesture: hand-washing over the slain heifer, a physical enactment of the verbal oath that follows in v.7.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְכֹ֗לand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of the subject noun phrase (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'all the elders of...' — opens the verse's extended subject.
זִקְנֵי֙the elders ofadj (subst.) m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Genitive in construct chain וְכֹל זִקְנֵיזָקֵן (H2205) 'elder'; construct, continuing the subject phrase.
הָעִ֣ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of זִקְנֵיעִיר (H5892) 'city', the responsible nearest city.
הַהִ֔ואthatart + independent pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of הָעִירהִיא (H1931), demonstrative use, 'that city.'
הַקְּרֹבִ֖יםwho are nearestart + adj m pl abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Attributive adjective modifying זִקְנֵי (agreeing in plural)קָרוֹב (H7138) 'near'; plural agreeing with 'elders', 'the [elders] who are nearest' — repeats v.3's determination.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Complement of הַקְּרֹבִיםאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
הֶחָלָ֑לthe slain manart + adj (subst.) m sg abs · חָלָל (H2491)Object of the preposition אֶלחָלָל (H2491), the corpse, again the reference point.
יִרְחֲצוּ֙shall washQal impf 3mp · רָחַץ (H7364)Predicate verb, main clause→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/modal — the ritual instruction properרָחַץ (H7364) 'to wash, bathe'; the ritual hand-washing that declares innocence (cf. Ps 26:6; Matt 27:24).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks יְדֵיהֶם)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of יִרְחֲצוּ.
יְדֵיהֶ֔םtheir handsN (c) dual constr + 3mp suffix · יָד (H3027)Direct object of יִרְחֲצוּיָד (H3027) 'hand'; dual, 'their hands' — the organ of both action and, by the coming declaration, innocence.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (site of the washing)עַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; the washing takes place directly above the slaughtered heifer.
הָעֶגְלָ֖הthe heiferart + N f sg abs · עֶגְלָה (H5697)Object of the preposition עַלעֶגְלָה (H5697), the heifer, now specified further by the following participle.
הָעֲרוּפָ֥הwhose neck was brokenart + Qal pass ptc f sg abs · עָרַף (H6202)Attributive participle modifying הָעֶגְלָה→ Passive participle: a completed state, describing the heifer after the riteעָרַף (H6202) 'to break the neck'; passive participle, 'the [heifer] whose neck has been broken' — the rite's namesake action (עֶגְלָה עֲרוּפָה).
בַנָּֽחַלin the wadiprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · נַחַל (H5158)Locative prepositional phrase modifying הָעֲרוּפָהנַחַל (H5158) 'wadi', closing the verse at the same site named in v.4.
7

וְעָנ֖וּ וְאָמְר֑וּ יָדֵ֗ינוּ לֹ֤א שפכה שָֽׁפְכוּ֙ אֶת הַדָּ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה וְעֵינֵ֖ינוּ לֹ֥א רָאֽוּ

And they shall testify and say, 'Our hands did not shed this blood, and our eyes did not see it.'

Direct quotation (the elders' formal oath of innocence)וְ
The rite's verbal climax: a double denial (hands/blood, eyes/witness) covering both action and knowledge. The ketiv שפכה / qere שָׁפְכוּ discrepancy at the oath's key verb is a minor orthographic curiosity (see text_note), not a substantive textual problem.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְעָנ֖וּand they shall testifyconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָנָה II (H6030)Predicate verb, main clause→ Weqatal: sequential instructionעָנָה II (H6030) 'to answer, respond, testify'; here the elders formally declare/testify — a legal-oath sense, distinct from עָנָה I 'to humble' (used in v.14).
וְאָמְר֑וּand they shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, coordinate with וְעָנוּ→ Weqatal: sequential instructionאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; paired with עָנָה to introduce the formal oath's actual words.
יָדֵ֗ינוּour handsN (c) dual constr + 1cp suffix · יָד (H3027)Subject of the oath's first clause (fronted for emphasis)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; dual, fronted for emphasis — 'our hands' (as opposed to anyone else's) did not do this.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb שָׁפְכוּלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
שפכה[ketiv, unread: she/it poured]Qal perf 3fs (ketiv) · שָׁפְכָה (H8210)Ketiv form of the oath's verb (not vocalized/read)→ Perfective (ketiv reading, not used)שָׁפַךְ (H8210) 'to pour, shed'; the ketiv (consonantal text) שפכה reads grammatically as 3fs, oddly agreeing with the dual יָדֵינוּ as a collective singular — an old orthographic quirk, not read aloud; the qere שָׁפְכוּ is read instead (see next word and text_note).
שָֽׁפְכוּ֙shedQal perf 3cp (qere) · שָׁפַךְ (H8210)Predicate verb of the oath's first clause (the form actually read aloud)→ Perfective: a categorical denial of a completed actשָׁפַךְ (H8210) 'to pour, shed [blood]'; the qere (traditional reading) is 3cp, correctly agreeing with plural 'our hands' — the Samaritan Pentateuch and some manuscripts read the plural outright in the consonantal text too.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks הַדָּם)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of שָׁפְכוּ.
הַדָּ֣םthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Direct object of שָׁפְכוּדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the central concern of the whole rite — the community's formal disavowal of bloodguilt.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; with the article, agreeing with 'the blood' — points to the specific victim's blood.
וְעֵינֵ֖ינוּand our eyesconj וְ + N (c) dual constr + 1cp suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of the oath's second clauseעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual, 'our eyes' — the second organ invoked, denying even witnessed knowledge of the crime.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates רָאוּלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
רָאֽוּsawQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the oath's second clause→ Perfective: a categorical denialרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the elders deny not just direct guilt but even complicit knowledge — the oath covers both agency and awareness.
8

כַּפֵּר֩ לְעַמְּךָ֨ יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל אֲשֶׁר פָּדִ֨יתָ֙ יְהוָ֔ה וְאַל תִּתֵּן֙ דָּ֣ם נָקִ֔י בְּקֶ֖רֶב עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְנִכַּפֵּ֥ר לָהֶ֖ם הַדָּֽם

'Atone, O YHWH, for your people Israel whom you redeemed, and do not put innocent blood in the midst of your people Israel.' And the blood shall be atoned for them.

Direct quotation continues (the oath's climactic petition)asyndeton
The oath's content shifts from denial (v.7) to positive petition, invoking the exodus redemption as grounds for present forgiveness; the closing weqatal וְנִכַּפֵּר (rare Nithpael) steps outside the quoted speech to assure the reader that the plea is granted — the case is formally closed.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
כַּפֵּר֩atone!Piel impv 2ms · כִּפֶּר (H3722)Predicate verb (imperative, direct address to YHWH)→ Volitional/imperative: an urgent petitionכָּפַר (H3722) 'to atone, cover, expiate'; Piel imperative, opening the elders' direct petition to YHWH — the theological heart of the rite (cf. וְנִכַּפֵּר at the verse's end).
לְעַמְּךָ֨for your peopleprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Indirect object of כַּפֵּרעַם (H5971) 'people'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your people' — Israel as YHWH's own possession, the object of the atonement.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Apposition to עַמְּךָיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people named in apposition to 'your people.'
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵלאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'whom you redeemed.'
פָּדִ֨יתָ֙you redeemedQal perf 2ms · פָּדָה (H6299)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, foundational divine act — the exodus redemptionפָּדָה (H6299) 'to redeem, ransom'; recalls YHWH's founding act of deliverance from Egypt, the basis on which atonement is now sought.
יְהוָ֔הO YHWHproper noun (vocative) · יְהוָה (H3068)Vocative, direct addressיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, addressed directly — the petition's addressee named at its emotional center.
וְאַלand do notconj וְ + negative particle (jussive) · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive/volitional תִּתֵּןאַל (H408), the negative used with jussive/volitional forms (distinct from indicative לֹא); 'do not' — a plea, not a flat statement of fact.
תִּתֵּן֙put/allowQal jussive 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (negated jussive, continuing the petition)→ Jussive/volitional: a request that YHWH not permit guilt to remainנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; jussive with אַל, 'do not put/allow' — asking YHWH not to charge the nation with unresolved bloodguilt.
דָּ֣םbloodN m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Direct object of תִּתֵּןדָּם (H1818) 'blood', here 'innocent blood' — the guilt-status the community begs not to bear.
נָקִ֔יinnocentadj m sg abs · נָקִי (H5355)Attributive adjective modifying דָּםנָקִי (H5355) 'innocent, clean, free (of guilt)'; describes the victim's blood as unavenged and undeserved.
בְּקֶ֖רֶבin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phrase (complement of תִּתֵּן)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; construct, 'in the midst of your people' — the bloodguilt's potential to contaminate the whole nation, not just the guilty town.
עַמְּךָ֣your peopleN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of בְּקֶרֶבעַם (H5971) 'people', repeated with 2ms suffix, 'your people' — echoing the opening petition.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Apposition to עַמְּךָיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), again in apposition, closing the petition's frame (עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל...עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל).
וְנִכַּפֵּ֥רand it shall be atonedconj וְ + Nithpael weqatal 3ms · כִּפֶּר (H3722)Predicate verb, concluding clause (result/assurance)→ Weqatal/Nithpael: a rare passive-reflexive stem (Niphal-form prefix + Piel-style doubling) expressing certain future resolution — 'the blood WILL be atoned'כָּפַר (H3722) 'to atone'; here Nithpael (נִכַּפֵּר), a stem occurring only a handful of times in the Bible, blending Niphal's passive sense with Piel's intensive doubling — 'let the blood truly be atoned for them.'
לָהֶ֖םfor themprep לְ + 3mp suffixIndirect object of וְנִכַּפֵּרלְ preposition, 'for them' — the beneficiaries of the atonement, the town/nation collectively.
הַדָּֽםthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Subject of וְנִכַּפֵּרדָּם (H1818), now definite, 'the blood' — resolving the crisis named in v.1's opening 'a slain man is found.'
9

וְאַתָּ֗ה תְּבַעֵ֛ר הַדָּ֥ם הַנָּקִ֖י מִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָ כִּֽי תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהוָֽה

So you shall purge the innocent blood from your midst, for you shall do what is right in the eyes of YHWH.

Concluding exhortation (closes the unsolved-murder pericope)וְ
The section's closing formula shifts from ritual description to direct address, generalizing the specific rite into the recurring Deuteronomic refrain 'do what is right in YHWH's eyes' — the same phrase that closes later units in the book.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאַתָּ֗הand youconj וְ + independent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject, fronted for emphasisאַתָּה (H859) 2ms independent pronoun; fronted for emphasis, 'and AS FOR YOU' — shifting from the elders' oath to direct address to the reader/nation.
תְּבַעֵ֛רyou shall purgePiel impf 2ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/modal — a standing obligationבָּעַר (H1197) II 'to burn, consume, sweep away'; Piel here means 'purge, remove' (a set Deuteronomic idiom, 'purge the evil/blood from your midst').
הַדָּ֥םthe bloodart + N m sg abs · דָּם (H1818)Direct object of תְּבַעֵרדָּם (H1818) 'blood', now qualified as 'innocent', the object to be purged.
הַנָּקִ֖יthe innocentart + adj m sg abs · נָקִי (H5355)Attributive adjective modifying הַדָּםנָקִי (H5355) 'innocent', repeating v.8's description — the guilt is fully removed once the rite is complete.
מִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָfrom your midstprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Ablative prepositional phrase (complement of תְּבַעֵר)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; with מִן, 'from your midst' — echoing v.8's בְּקֶרֶב, now the danger is expelled rather than merely feared.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, introduces reason/purposeכִּי (H3588) here causal, 'for, so that' — grounds the whole chapter's procedure in covenant fidelity.
תַעֲשֶׂ֥הyou shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the standing covenantal normעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here 'do [what is right]' — the general covenant-fidelity formula closing the pericope.
הַיָּשָׁ֖רthe rightart + adj (subst.) m sg abs · יָשָׁר (H3477)Direct object of תַעֲשֶׂהיָשָׁר (H3477) 'straight, right, upright'; substantival, 'the right/straight thing' — a recurring Deuteronomic formula (cf. 6:18; 12:25, 28).
בְּעֵינֵ֥יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N (c) dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Locative/evaluative prepositional phrase modifying הַיָּשָׁרעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual construct, 'in the eyes of' — the idiom of divine evaluation/approval.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of בְּעֵינֵייְהוָה (H3068), the standard by which 'right' is measured — not human convention but divine approval.
10

כִּֽי תֵצֵ֥א לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה עַל אֹיְבֶ֑יךָ וּנְתָנ֞וֹ יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ בְּיָדֶ֖ךָ וְשָׁבִ֥יתָ שִׁבְיֽוֹ

When you go out to war against your enemies, and YHWH your God gives them into your hand and you take them captive,

Casuistic protasis (opens the captive-wife law)asyndeton
A new independent case law begins, again with כִּי; the extended protasis (vv.10-11) sets the wartime scenario before the apodosis regulates the treatment of a captive woman taken as wife.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/casuistic conjunction (opens new case law)כִּי (H3588), here temporal-conditional 'when', opening the captive-wife law.
תֵצֵ֥אyou go outQal impf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: modal/future — a hypothetical future situationיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; here idiomatic for military campaign, 'go out to war.'
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖הto warprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Directional prepositional phrase (complement of תֵצֵא)מִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; the standard idiom יָצָא לַמִּלְחָמָה 'go out to war/campaign.'
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (complement of the campaign)עַל (H5921) 'against'; marks the military target.
אֹיְבֶ֑יךָyour enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Object of the preposition עַלאֹיֵב (H341), substantival participle 'enemy' (lit. 'one who is hostile'); construct + suffix, 'your enemies.'
וּנְתָנ֞וֹand he gives himconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms + 3ms suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, apodosis begins→ Weqatal: sequential/consequential — the outcome of successful warנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; 'gives him [into your hand]' — the formula for divinely granted military victory, object suffix referring to a captured enemy man.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וּנְתָנוֹיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the victory-grant formula.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), 'your God', apposition to the divine name.
בְּיָדֶ֖ךָinto your handprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Complement of וּנְתָנוֹיָד (H3027) 'hand'; 'into your hand', the idiom of military conquest and control.
וְשָׁבִ֥יתָand you take captiveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׁבָה (H7617)Predicate verb, continuing apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential — the next action following victoryשָׁבָה (H7617) 'to take captive'; the act of taking war-captives, setting up the specific case of the following verses.
שִׁבְיֽוֹhis captivesN (c) sg constr + 3ms suffix · שְׁבִי (H7628)Direct object of וְשָׁבִיתָ (cognate accusative)שְׁבִי (H7628) 'captivity, captives' (cognate noun to שָׁבָה); 'his captives' — a cognate-accusative construction, 'you capture his captivity/captives.'
11

וְרָאִיתָ֙ בַּשִּׁבְיָ֔ה אֵ֖שֶׁת יְפַת תֹּ֑אַר וְחָשַׁקְתָּ֣ בָ֔הּ וְלָקַחְתָּ֥ לְךָ֖ לְאִשָּֽׁה

and you see among the captives a woman beautiful in form, and you desire her and take her for yourself as a wife,

Continued protasis (the triggering desire)וְ
The protasis's emotional turning-point: sight leads to desire leads to the intent to marry — the law does not forbid this chain but immediately (v.12ff) surrounds it with mandatory delay and formal process.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְרָאִיתָ֙and you seeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, continuing apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential — the triggering perceptionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the sighting that initiates the case — visual attraction leads to the following actions.
בַּשִּׁבְיָ֔הamong the captivesprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · שִׁבְיָה (H7633)Locative prepositional phrase (complement of וְרָאִיתָ)שִׁבְיָה (H7633) 'captivity, captive group'; collective, 'among the captives' — the pool from which the woman is seen.
אֵ֖שֶׁתa woman ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of וְרָאִיתָ (construct chain)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct, 'a woman of [beautiful form]' — introduces the individual captive at the case's center.
יְפַתbeautiful ofadj f sg constr · יָפֶה (H3303)Genitive complement of אֵשֶׁת (construct chain)יָפֶה (H3303) 'beautiful, fair'; construct, 'beautiful of [form]' — a construct-adjective idiom for physical beauty.
תֹּ֑אַרformN m sg abs · תֹּאַר (H8389)Genitive complement of יְפַת (construct chain)תֹּאַר (H8389) 'form, shape, appearance'; the idiom יְפַת תֹּאַר 'beautiful of form' describes physical attractiveness (used of Rachel, Joseph, and here).
וְחָשַׁקְתָּ֣and you desireconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · חָשַׁק (H2836)Predicate verb, continuing apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential — the emotional/volitional responseחָשַׁק (H2836) 'to desire, be attached to, delight in'; a stronger term than mere liking — sexual/romantic attraction, treated here as a fact of the case, neither approved nor condemned outright.
בָ֔הּherprep בְּ + 3fs suffixComplement of חָשַׁקְתָּבְּ preposition with חָשַׁק, 'desire her.'
וְלָקַחְתָּ֥and you takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb, continuing apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential — the resulting actionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here 'take [her] for a wife' — the formal act of marriage.
לְךָ֖for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffixBenefactive complement of וְלָקַחְתָּלְ preposition, 'for yourself', the beneficiary of the taking.
לְאִשָּֽׁהas a wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate complement of וְלָקַחְתָּ (result/role)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with לְ, the standard idiom for formal marriage, 'take [her] as a wife' — the same phrase closes v.13.
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וַהֲבֵאתָ֖הּ אֶל תּ֣וֹךְ בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ וְגִלְּחָה֙ אֶת רֹאשָׁ֔הּ וְעָשְׂתָ֖ה אֶת צִפָּרְנֶֽיהָ

then you shall bring her into your house, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails,

Continued apodosis (mandated transition rite begins)וְ
The law immediately interposes ritual acts of mourning/transition before marriage can occur — the woman's own agency appears grammatically (she shaves, she pares) even within a passage largely governed by the man's verbs, a small but real acknowledgment of her personhood.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַהֲבֵאתָ֖הּand you shall bring herconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2ms + 3fs suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, continuing apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential instructionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; Hiphil causative 'bring', object suffix referring to the captive woman.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, into'.
תּ֣וֹךְthe midst ofN m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Object of the preposition אֶל (construct chain)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; construct, 'into the midst of your house' — she enters the household itself.
בֵּיתֶ֑ךָyour houseN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive complement of תּוֹךְבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; 'your house' — the domestic sphere she now formally enters, pending the mourning period.
וְגִלְּחָה֙and she shall shaveconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3fs · גָּלַח (H1548)Predicate verb, new subject (the woman herself acts)→ Weqatal: sequential instruction — a required ritual actגָּלַח (H1548) 'to shave'; Piel, the woman herself performs this mourning rite — subject shifts from the man to her.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks רֹאשָׁהּ)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of וְגִלְּחָה.
רֹאשָׁ֔הּher headN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Direct object of וְגִלְּחָהרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; shaving the head is a standard mourning/transition rite in the ancient Near East, here marking her passage from captive to household member.
וְעָשְׂתָ֖הand she shall do/pareconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, coordinate with וְגִלְּחָה→ Weqatal: sequential instructionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here idiomatically 'attend to, trim' with 'nails' as object — a second grooming/mourning act.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks צִפָּרְנֶיהָ)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of וְעָשְׂתָה.
צִפָּרְנֶֽיהָher nailsN f pl constr + 3fs suffix · צִפֹּרֶן (H6856)Direct object of וְעָשְׂתָהצִפֹּרֶן (H6856) 'nail, fingernail/claw'; paring the nails, paired with shaving the head as part of the mandated month of mourning and transition (v.13).
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וְהֵסִ֩ירָה֩ אֶת שִׂמְלַ֨ת שִׁבְיָ֜הּ מֵעָלֶ֗יהָ וְיָֽשְׁבָה֙ בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ וּבָֽכְתָ֛ה אֶת אָבִ֥יהָ וְאֶת אִמָּ֖הּ יֶ֣רַח יָמִ֑ים וְאַ֨חַר כֵּ֜ן תָּב֤וֹא אֵלֶ֨יהָ֙ וּבְעַלְתָּ֔הּ וְהָיְתָ֥ה לְךָ֖ לְאִשָּֽׁה

And she shall put off the garment of her captivity, and shall remain in your house and mourn her father and mother a full month; after that you may go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife.

Continued apodosis (the mandatory mourning period, then marriage)וְ
The law imposes a full month's delay — grief for lost family taken with genuine seriousness — before consummation; only after this period, through the explicit acts בּוֹא and בָּעַל, does the union become a real marriage rather than mere seizure.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְהֵסִ֩ירָה֩and she shall removeconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3fs · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb, main clause→ Weqatal: sequential instructionסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; Hiphil causative 'remove, take off' — she herself removes the marker of her captive status.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks שִׂמְלַת)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of וְהֵסִירָה.
שִׂמְלַ֨תthe garment ofN f sg constr · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Direct object of וְהֵסִירָה (construct chain)שִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, cloak'; construct, 'the garment of her captivity' — a distinctive captive's dress now discarded.
שִׁבְיָ֜הּher captivityN (c) sg constr + 3fs suffix · שִׁבְיָה (H7633)Genitive complement of שִׂמְלַתשִׁבְיָה (H7633) 'captivity'; construct + suffix, 'her captivity['s garment]' — marking her prior captive identity, now shed.
מֵעָלֶ֗יהָfrom upon herprep מִן + prep עַל + 3fs suffixAdverbial prepositional phrase (complement of וְהֵסִירָה)עַל (H5921) with מִן, 'from upon her' — the garment is physically taken off her body.
וְיָֽשְׁבָה֙and she shall dwellconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb, coordinate→ Weqatal: sequential instructionיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; she resides in the house during the mourning period, before marriage is consummated.
בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָin your houseprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative prepositional phrase (complement of וְיָשְׁבָה)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; 'in your house' — she has entered the household (v.12) but not yet the marriage bed.
וּבָֽכְתָ֛הand she shall weepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · בָּכָה (H1058)Predicate verb, coordinate→ Weqatal: sequential instruction — mandated mourningבָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep'; the required grief for her lost family, taken seriously by the law as a real, extended process, not a formality to rush past.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks אָבִיהָ)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of וּבָכְתָה.
אָבִ֥יהָher fatherN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · אָב (H1)Direct object of וּבָכְתָהאָב (H1) 'father'; 'her father', the first object of mourning.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853), marks the second object אִמָּהּ as definite; the conjunction joins the two mourned parents.
אִמָּ֖הּher motherN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · אֵם (H517)Second direct object of וּבָכְתָהאֵם (H517) 'mother'; 'her mother', the second object — she mourns the total loss of her family and homeland.
יֶ֣רַחa month ofN m sg constr · יֶרַח (H3391)Adverbial accusative of time (duration)יֶרַח (H3391) 'month' (a poetic/archaic synonym of חֹדֶשׁ); construct, 'a month of days' — the fixed duration of the mourning period.
יָמִ֑יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of יֶרַח (construct chain)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural, 'days' — יֶרַח יָמִים idiomatically means simply 'a full month.'
וְאַ֨חַרand afterconj וְ + prep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phrase introducing the next clauseאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; paired with כֵּן, 'and after that/thereafter.'
כֵּ֜ןthatadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Completes the idiom אַחַר כֵּן ('afterward')כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; with אַחַר forms the fixed temporal idiom 'afterward, after that.'
תָּב֤וֹאyou may come inQal impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, new clause (permission after the waiting period)→ Yiqtol: permissive/modal — now allowed, after the delayבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; here euphemistic for sexual consummation, 'go in to her' — permitted only after the full month has elapsed.
אֵלֶ֨יהָ֙to herprep אֶל + 3fs suffixComplement of תָּבוֹאאֶל (H413) 'to'; with תָּבוֹא, the standard euphemism for sexual intercourse/consummation of marriage.
וּבְעַלְתָּ֔הּand you shall be her husbandconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms + 3fs suffix · בָּעַל (H1166)Predicate verb, coordinate with תָּבוֹא→ Weqatal: sequential — the marital relationship formalizedבָּעַל (H1166) 'to marry, rule over, be husband to'; denominative from בַּעַל 'lord, husband' — establishes the marital/authority relationship.
וְהָיְתָ֥הand she shall becomeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, coordinate→ Weqatal: sequential — the resulting statusהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; 'she shall become [your wife]' — the legal outcome of the whole process.
לְךָ֖yourprep לְ + 2ms suffixPossessive/benefactive complement of וְהָיְתָהלְ preposition of possession, 'to/for you' = 'your [wife]'.
לְאִשָּֽׁהas a wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate complement of וְהָיְתָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; closes the marriage formula, echoing v.11's לְאִשָּׁה — the process begun by desire (v.11) is now legally and ritually complete.
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וְהָיָ֞ה אִם לֹ֧א חָפַ֣צְתָּ בָּ֗הּ וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ֙ לְנַפְשָׁ֔הּ וּמָכֹ֥ר לֹא תִמְכְּרֶ֖נָּה בַּכָּ֑סֶף לֹא תִתְעַמֵּ֣ר בָּ֔הּ תַּ֖חַת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עִנִּיתָֽהּ

And if you no longer delight in her, then you shall let her go free; you shall not sell her at all for money, you shall not treat her as merchandise, because you have humbled her.

Nested conditional (the failed-marriage contingency)וְ
The law's restraining intent is clearest here: even having married her, the man cannot revert to treating her as property if the marriage sours — the double prohibition (sell/merchandise) plus the causal clause 'because you have humbled her' place the moral weight on his prior act, not her status.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְהָיָ֞הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing new conditional clause→ Weqatal: sequential instructionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; impersonal formula introducing a further contingency within the case.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction, introduces the sub-caseאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the possibility that the marriage does not succeed.
לֹ֧אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates חָפַצְתָּלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
חָפַ֣צְתָּyou delightQal perf 2ms · חָפֵץ (H2654)Predicate verb of the conditional clause→ Perfective: a settled emotional state (used with conditional force in the protasis)חָפֵץ (H2654) 'to delight in, desire'; contrasts with חָשַׁק (v.11) — the initial passionate desire has cooled into indifference.
בָּ֗הּin herprep בְּ + 3fs suffixComplement of חָפַצְתָּבְּ preposition with חָפֵץ, 'delight in her.'
וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ֙then you shall send her awayconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms + 3fs suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb, apodosis of the sub-condition→ Weqatal: sequential/consequential — the required responseשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Piel 'send away, release' — the mandated action if the marriage is unwanted: dismissal, not disposal.
לְנַפְשָׁ֔הּfor herselfprep לְ + N (c) sg constr + 3fs suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Adverbial complement of וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, self, life'; idiomatic 'for herself' = 'independently, as a free person' — she goes free, not into anyone else's control.
וּמָכֹ֥רsellingconj וְ + Qal inf abs · מָכַר (H4376)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the negated finite verb (emphatic prohibition)→ Infinitive absolute + negated finite verb: categorical prohibition — 'you must NOT sell her at all'מָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; infinitive absolute before the negated finite form intensifies the prohibition — total, unqualified.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִמְכְּרֶנָּהלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative, here paired with the infinitive absolute for emphasis.
תִמְכְּרֶ֖נָּהyou shall sell herQal impf 2ms + 3fs suffix · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb (negated, emphatic prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/modal, negated for categorical prohibitionמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; the very idea of selling a legally married woman is flatly forbidden — she cannot be reduced back to captive/commodity status.
בַּכָּ֑סֶףfor moneyprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Instrumental prepositional phrase (complement of תִמְכְּרֶנָּה)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; specifies the forbidden transaction — she may not be exchanged for payment.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִתְעַמֵּרלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
תִתְעַמֵּ֣רyou shall treat as merchandiseHitpael impf 2ms · עָמַר (H6014)Predicate verb (negated prohibition)→ Yiqtol/Hitpael: prescriptive, negated — a further, broader prohibitionעָמַר (H6014) 'to deal tyrannically with, treat as merchandise'; a rare Hitpael found nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible — its precise nuance (possibly from a root for 'trade, deal') has been debated since antiquity; the LXX renders it as a general prohibition against humiliating her further, a plausible sense (see text_note).
בָּ֔הּherprep בְּ + 3fs suffixComplement of תִתְעַמֵּרבְּ preposition, 'with her' — object of the rare verb תִתְעַמֵּר.
תַּ֖חַתbecauseprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Causal prepositional phrase introducing the reasonתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, instead of'; here causal, 'because, in view of the fact that.'
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Completes the causal idiom תַּחַת אֲשֶׁראֲשֶׁר (H834), with תַּחַת forms the causal conjunction 'because.'
עִנִּיתָֽהּyou have humbled herPiel perf 2ms + 3fs suffix · עָנָה II (H6031)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed act with ongoing consequence — grounds the man's obligationעָנָה II (H6031) 'to humble, afflict, violate'; Piel, often with sexual connotation (cf. Gen 34:2; Deut 22:24, 29) — the text names plainly that he has used/humbled her, and this restrains his power over her afterward: he may not profit from what he took.
15

כִּֽי תִהְיֶ֨יןָ לְאִ֜ישׁ שְׁתֵּ֣י נָשִׁ֗ים הָאַחַ֤ת אֲהוּבָה֙ וְהָאַחַ֣ת שְׂנוּאָ֔ה וְיָֽלְדוּ ל֣וֹ בָנִ֔ים הָאֲהוּבָ֖ה וְהַשְּׂנוּאָ֑ה וְהָיָ֛ה הַבֵּ֥ן הַבְּכ֖וֹר לַשְּׂנִיאָֽה

If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and both the loved and the unloved bear him sons, and the firstborn son belongs to the unloved wife,

Casuistic protasis (opens the firstborn's-right law)asyndeton
The protasis sets up the maximal test case: birth order favoring the less-loved wife's son runs directly against paternal sentiment, forcing the law in vv.16-17 to state its principle unambiguously.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/casuistic conjunction (opens new case law)כִּי (H3588), opens the firstborn's-right law.
תִהְיֶ֨יןָthere are/belongQal impf 3fp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: modal/hypothetical — a possible household situationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, belong to'; 3fp agreeing with 'two wives', 'if a man has/there are to a man two wives.'
לְאִ֜ישׁto a manprep לְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Complement of possession (dative of possession)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; with לְ, the standard Hebrew possession construction, 'a man has.'
שְׁתֵּ֣יtwocardinal num f dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject of תִהְיֶיןָ (construct chain)שְׁנַיִם/שְׁתַּיִם (H8147) 'two'; feminine construct, 'two of [wives]' — sets up the polygynous household central to this law.
נָשִׁ֗יםwivesN f pl abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Genitive complement of שְׁתֵּיאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; plural, 'wives' — the text assumes polygyny as a social fact without endorsing it morally.
הָאַחַ֤תthe oneart + cardinal num f sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Subject of the first descriptive clause (apposition)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; with article, 'the one [wife]' — introduces the first of the pair by contrast.
אֲהוּבָה֙lovedQal pass ptc f sg abs · אָהַב (H157)Predicate participle describing הָאַחַת→ Passive participle: a settled relational statusאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; passive participle, 'loved' — describes the favored wife's status in the man's affection.
וְהָאַחַ֣תand the otherconj וְ + art + cardinal num f sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Subject of the second descriptive clause, coordinateאֶחָד (H259), 'the other [wife]', contrastively paired with הָאַחַת.
שְׂנוּאָ֔הhatedQal pass ptc f sg abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Predicate participle describing וְהָאַחַת→ Passive participle: a settled relational statusשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; passive participle, 'hated' — likely means 'less loved, disfavored' rather than literal hatred (a common ANE idiom for relative preference, cf. Gen 29:31, Jacob/Leah).
וְיָֽלְדוּand they bearconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb, main clause→ Weqatal: sequential — the situation that triggers the lawיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; both wives bear him sons, setting up the inheritance question.
ל֣וֹfor himprep לְ + 3ms suffixDative complement of וְיָלְדוּלְ preposition, 'to/for him', the father who receives sons from both wives.
בָנִ֔יםsonsN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of וְיָלְדוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural, the sons of both wives, whose birth order will matter more than maternal favor.
הָאֲהוּבָ֖הthe loved [one]art + Qal pass ptc f sg abs · אָהַב (H157)Subject (resumptive apposition, first of the pair)→ Passive participle: a settled statusאָהַב (H157), substantival passive participle, 'the loved one' — resumes the description to specify both wives bear sons.
וְהַשְּׂנוּאָ֑הand the hated [one]conj וְ + art + Qal pass ptc f sg abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Coordinate subject→ Passive participle: a settled statusשָׂנֵא (H8130), substantival passive participle, 'the hated one' — both wives are fertile; the law now turns to which son is firstborn.
וְהָיָ֛הand it isconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, new clause→ Weqatal: sequential — introduces the case's cruxהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; impersonal, introducing the pivotal fact: which son is the firstborn.
הַבֵּ֥ןthe sonart + N m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וְהָיָהבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; definite, specifying the particular son under discussion.
הַבְּכ֖וֹרthe firstbornart + N m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Apposition to הַבֵּןבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; the legal category whose rights the law is about to protect regardless of maternal favor.
לַשְּׂנִיאָֽהto the hated oneprep לְ + art + adj f sg abs · שְׂנִיאָה (H8146)Predicate complement of וְהָיָה (possession)שְׂנִיאָה (H8146), rarer nominal variant of שְׂנוּאָה (v.15a); 'the firstborn belongs to the hated [wife]' — the law's actual case: the disfavored wife's son happens to be firstborn.
16

וְהָיָ֗ה בְּיוֹם֙ הַנְחִיל֣וֹ אֶת בָּנָ֔יו אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶ֖ה ל֑וֹ לֹ֣א יוּכַ֗ל לְבַכֵּר֙ אֶת בֶּן הָ֣אֲהוּבָ֔ה עַל פְּנֵ֥י בֶן הַשְּׂנוּאָ֖ה הַבְּכֹֽר

then on the day he assigns his inheritance to his sons, he may not treat the son of the loved wife as firstborn in preference to the son of the hated wife, who is the firstborn.

Apodosis (the operative prohibition)וְ
The law's central prohibition, stated with unusual bluntness: 'he is NOT ABLE to' (לֹא יוּכַל), removing even the legal possibility of reassigning the birthright by favoritism — feeling may prefer one son, but law fixes the outcome by birth order alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְהָיָ֗הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential instructionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; impersonal formula introducing the law's core stipulation.
בְּיוֹם֙on the day ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct, 'on the day of [his causing to inherit]' — the moment of inheritance distribution.
הַנְחִיל֣וֹhis causing to inheritHiphil inf constr + 3ms suffix · נָחַל (H5157)Genitive complement of בְּיוֹם (temporal clause)→ Infinitive construct: the specific act being timedנָחַל (H5157) 'to inherit, take possession'; Hiphil causative, 'cause to inherit, bequeath' — the father's formal act of dividing the estate.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks בָּנָיו)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of הַנְחִילוֹ.
בָּנָ֔יוhis sonsN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of הַנְחִילוֹבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural, 'his sons' — the object of the bequest.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks the relative clause אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה לוֹ)אֵת (H853), marks the following relative clause as a definite object, 'that which is his.'
אֲשֶׁרthat whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces the object relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative, 'that which he has [i.e. his estate].'
יִהְיֶ֖הbelongsQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: general/habitual — describes ownership in general termsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, belong'; 'that which is his' = his possessions/estate.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixComplement of יִהְיֶה (possession)לְ preposition of possession, 'to him' = 'his.'
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יוּכַללֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
יוּכַ֗לhe mayQal impf 3ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause, modal auxiliary)→ Yiqtol: modal — ability/permission, negated for prohibitionיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; negated modal auxiliary governing the infinitive לְבַכֵּר, 'he is not able/permitted to...' — a flat legal prohibition.
לְבַכֵּר֙to treat as firstbornprep לְ + Piel inf constr · בָּכַר (H1069)Complementary infinitive of יוּכַל→ Infinitive construct: complement of the negated modal — the forbidden actionבָּכַר (H1069) 'to treat/regard as firstborn'; denominative Piel from בְּכוֹר — the father cannot legally REASSIGN the firstborn status by favoritism.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks בֶּן הָאֲהוּבָה)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of לְבַכֵּר.
בֶּןthe son ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of לְבַכֵּר (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'the son of the loved [wife]' — the favored candidate the father might wrongly prefer.
הָ֣אֲהוּבָ֔הthe loved [wife]art + Qal pass ptc f sg abs · אָהַב (H157)Genitive complement of בֶּן (construct chain)→ Passive participle: a settled statusאָהַב (H157), substantival, 'the loved [wife]' — resuming vv.15-16's terminology.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Comparative prepositional phrase (with פְּנֵי, 'in preference to')עַל (H5921), with פְּנֵי forms the idiom עַל פְּנֵי 'in preference to, ahead of, over the face of.'
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN (c) pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of עַל (idiom עַל פְּנֵי)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct, with עַל forms the comparative idiom 'in preference to, over.'
בֶןthe son ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement of פְּנֵי (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, 'the son of the hated [wife]' — the true firstborn who must not be passed over.
הַשְּׂנוּאָ֖הthe hated [wife]art + Qal pass ptc f sg abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Genitive complement of בֶן (construct chain)→ Passive participle: a settled statusשָׂנֵא (H8130), substantival, 'the hated [wife]' — whose son nonetheless holds the legal birthright.
הַבְּכֹֽרthe firstbornart + N m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Apposition to בֶן הַשְּׂנוּאָה (restates his status)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; restated in apposition for emphasis — the verse's final word underlines the point: birth order, not favor, decides.
17

כִּי֩ אֶת הַבְּכֹ֨ר בֶּן הַשְּׂנוּאָ֜ה יַכִּ֗יר לָ֤תֶת לוֹ֙ פִּ֣י שְׁנַ֔יִם בְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר יִמָּצֵ֖א ל֑וֹ כִּי הוּא֙ רֵאשִׁ֣ית אֹנ֔וֹ ל֖וֹ מִשְׁפַּ֥ט הַבְּכֹרָֽה

But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated wife as the firstborn, giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

Adversative apodosis (the positive requirement, grounded)asyndeton
The verse pairs a legal obligation (double portion) with a rationale drawn from nature rather than sentiment (רֵאשִׁית אֹנוֹ, 'firstfruits of his strength') — birth order is treated as a fact prior to and unalterable by paternal preference.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
כִּי֩ratherconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/emphatic conjunction (contrasts with the prohibition of v.16)כִּי (H3588), here adversative, 'rather, on the contrary' — introducing the positive requirement after v.16's negative prohibition.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks הַבְּכֹר בֶּן הַשְּׂנוּאָה)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of יַכִּיר.
הַבְּכֹ֨רthe firstbornart + N m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Direct object of יַכִּיר (apposition head)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; the legal status the father must formally recognize.
בֶּןthe son ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to הַבְּכֹר (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, identifying which son holds the status.
הַשְּׂנוּאָ֜הthe hated [wife]art + Qal pass ptc f sg abs · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Genitive complement of בֶּן (construct chain)→ Passive participle: a settled statusשָׂנֵא (H8130), substantival, 'the hated [wife]', naming the mother whose son must be acknowledged.
יַכִּ֗ירhe shall acknowledgeHiphil impf 3ms · נָכַר (H5234)Predicate verb (main clause, positive requirement)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/modal — a binding obligationנָכַר (H5234) 'to recognize, acknowledge'; Hiphil, 'formally acknowledge/recognize [as firstborn]' — a legal-declarative act, the positive counterpart to v.16's prohibition.
לָ֤תֶתto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Purpose infinitival clause (result of יַכִּיר)→ Infinitive construct: purpose/resultנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the practical outworking of the acknowledgment — the double portion is actually transferred.
לוֹ֙to himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect object of לָתֶתלְ preposition, 'to him', the recognized firstborn.
פִּ֣יthe portion ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Direct object of לָתֶת (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiomatic construct with שְׁנַיִם, פִּי שְׁנַיִם 'a double portion' (lit. 'a mouth of two,' i.e. two shares).
שְׁנַ֔יִםtwocardinal num m dual abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Genitive complement of פִּי (idiom)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; with פִּי forms the fixed inheritance-law idiom for a double share (cf. 2 Kings 2:9).
בְּכֹ֥לof allprep בְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase (specifies the estate)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'a double portion of all [that is found to be his]' — the double share is calculated against the whole estate.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying כֹּלאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative, 'that is found to be his.'
יִמָּצֵ֖אis foundNiphal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol/Niphal: general/passive — describes whatever the estate turns out to includeמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive, 'is found [to be his]' — whatever the father's estate actually comprises.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixComplement of יִמָּצֵא (possession)לְ preposition of possession, referring to the father.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, grounds the double portionכִּי (H3588), causal, 'for' — introduces the theological/natural rationale for the double share.
הוּא֙heindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the nominal clause (emphatic)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun, emphatic subject, 'HE [is]...' — underscores that this particular son, whichever wife bore him, holds the status.
רֵאשִׁ֣יתthe firstfruits ofN f sg constr · רֵאשִׁית (H7225)Predicate nominative (construct chain)רֵאשִׁית (H7225) 'beginning, first, firstfruits'; construct, 'the firstfruits/first product of [his strength]' — a vivid figure for the firstborn as the father's earliest vital output.
אֹנ֔וֹhis strengthN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אוֹן (H202)Genitive complement of רֵאשִׁיתאוֹן (H202) 'vigor, generative power, strength'; 'his strength' — the firstborn is figuratively the first evidence of the father's virility/life-force (cf. Gen 49:3).
ל֖וֹhisprep לְ + 3ms suffixPossessive complement (predicate of possession)לְ preposition of possession, 'his [is the right]' — belonging to the firstborn son.
מִשְׁפַּ֥טthe right ofN m sg constr · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Subject of the closing nominal clause (construct chain)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, right, custom, legal claim'; construct, 'the right of the firstborn(-ship)' — restates the whole verse's point as a fixed legal principle.
הַבְּכֹרָֽהthe birthrightart + N (c) sg abs · בְּכֹרָה (H1062)Genitive complement of מִשְׁפַּטבְּכֹרָה (H1062) 'birthright, right of the firstborn'; the abstract legal status (distinct from בְּכוֹר, the person) whose 'right' (מִשְׁפָּט) closes the unit.
18

כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֣ה לְאִ֗ישׁ בֵּ֚ן סוֹרֵ֣ר וּמוֹרֶ֔ה אֵינֶ֣נּוּ שֹׁמֵ֔עַ בְּק֥וֹל אָבִ֖יו וּבְק֣וֹל אִמּ֑וֹ וְיסְּר֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א יִשְׁמַ֖ע אֲלֵיהֶֽם

If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not listen to his father's voice or his mother's voice, and though they discipline him he will not listen to them,

Casuistic protasis (opens the rebellious-son law)asyndeton
A new case law begins with the familiar כִּי-protasis; the son's failure is described first in general terms (deaf to correction) before the specific vices of v.20 name it concretely.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/casuistic conjunction (opens the rebellious-son law)כִּי (H3588), opens a new independent case law.
יִהְיֶ֣הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: modal/hypotheticalהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, belong to'; 'if a man has a son.'
לְאִ֗ישׁto a manprep לְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Complement of possession (dative of possession)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; possession construction, 'a man has.'
בֵּ֚ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of יִהְיֶהבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the subject introduced, soon qualified by two participles.
סוֹרֵ֣רstubbornQal act ptc m sg abs · סָרַר (H5637)Attributive participle modifying בֵּן→ Participle: characteristic/habitual qualityסָרַר (H5637) 'to be stubborn, rebellious, turn aside'; participle used adjectivally, describing settled defiance of authority.
וּמוֹרֶ֔הand rebelliousconj וְ + Qal act ptc m sg abs · מָרָה (H4784)Coordinate attributive participle→ Participle: characteristic/habitual qualityמָרָה (H4784) 'to be rebellious, defiant'; paired with סוֹרֵר as a fixed idiom (סוֹרֵר וּמוֹרֶה) for total, entrenched disobedience.
אֵינֶ֣נּוּhe does notnegative existential + 3ms suffix · אַיִן (H369)Negates the participle שֹׁמֵעַאַיִן (H369) negative existential particle with pronominal suffix, 'he is not' — negates the following participle, 'he does not obey.'
שֹׁמֵ֔עַobeyingQal act ptc m sg abs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate participle (negated by אֵינֶנּוּ)→ Participle: ongoing/habitual failureשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; participle, 'listening/obeying' — his defining trait is a persistent refusal to heed.
בְּק֥וֹלthe voice ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Complement of שֹׁמֵעַקוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; construct, idiomatic 'obey the voice of' = 'obey.'
אָבִ֖יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement of קוֹלאָב (H1) 'father'; 'his father', the first parental authority named.
וּבְק֣וֹלor the voice ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Coordinate complement of שֹׁמֵעַקוֹל (H6963), repeated for the mother — the son defies BOTH parents equally, a key detail for vv.19-20's joint action.
אִמּ֑וֹhis motherN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֵם (H517)Genitive complement of the second קוֹלאֵם (H517) 'mother'; named alongside the father — Deuteronomy consistently pairs both parents' authority (cf. 5:16; 27:16).
וְיסְּר֣וּand they disciplineconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · יָסַר (H3256)Predicate verb, concessive clause ('though they discipline him')→ Weqatal: concessive/sequential — an attempted remedy that failsיָסַר (H3256) 'to discipline, chastise, correct'; Piel, the parents' attempted correction — noted as already tried before escalation to the elders (v.19).
אֹת֔וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (marks the son)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him' — the direct object of the parents' discipline.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִשְׁמַעלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative, coordinating the concessive clause's outcome.
יִשְׁמַ֖עhe listensQal impf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb, concluding the concessive clause→ Yiqtol: modal/characteristic — his persistent refusal despite disciplineשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; here 'he does not listen/obey [even after discipline]' — establishes that ordinary correction has already failed, justifying the extreme measure to follow.
אֲלֵיהֶֽםto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffixComplement of יִשְׁמַעאֶל (H413) 'to'; with שָׁמַע, 'listen to them' — referring to both parents.
19

וְתָ֥פְשׂוּ ב֖וֹ אָבִ֣יו וְאִמּ֑וֹ וְהוֹצִ֧יאוּ אֹת֛וֹ אֶל זִקְנֵ֥י עִיר֖וֹ וְאֶל שַׁ֥עַר מְקֹמֽוֹ

then his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his place,

Sequential apodosis (formal escalation to the elders)וְ
The requirement that BOTH parents jointly bring the charge — no single parent, no outside accuser — is itself a substantial procedural safeguard, one the rabbis later expanded into an even stricter fence (b. Sanhedrin 71a).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְתָ֥פְשׂוּand they shall seizeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · תָּפַשׂ (H8610)Predicate verb, apodosis begins→ Weqatal: sequential/consequential — escalation beyond ordinary disciplineתָּפַשׂ (H8610) 'to seize, grasp, lay hold of'; the decisive act of the parents taking physical hold of the son to bring him to justice.
ב֖וֹhimprep בְּ + 3ms suffixComplement of וְתָפְשׂוּבְּ preposition with תָּפַשׂ, 'seize hold of him.'
אָבִ֣יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Subject of וְתָפְשׂוּאָב (H1) 'father'; subject, acting jointly with the mother — critically, the PARENTS themselves must bring the charge, not a third party.
וְאִמּ֑וֹand his motherconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֵם (H517)Coordinate subject of וְתָפְשׂוּאֵם (H517) 'mother'; joint subject with the father — both parents together must act, a safeguard against unilateral accusation.
וְהוֹצִ֧יאוּand they shall bring outconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb, coordinate→ Weqatal: sequentialיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Hiphil causative, 'bring out' — the son is brought publicly to the town's judicial center.
אֹת֛וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (marks the son)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him', the direct object of וְהוֹצִיאוּ.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
זִקְנֵ֥יthe elders ofadj (subst.) m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Object of the preposition אֶל (construct chain)זָקֵן (H2205) 'elder'; construct, the town's judicial authority now formally involved.
עִיר֖וֹhis cityN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of זִקְנֵיעִיר (H5892) 'city'; 'his city' — the son's own community, not a foreign or arbitrary jurisdiction.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinate directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413), repeated with the second destination, the town gate.
שַׁ֥עַרthe gate ofN m sg constr · שַׁעַר (H8179)Object of the second אֶל (construct chain)שַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; construct — the city gate, the standard site of public legal proceedings in ancient Israel (cf. Ruth 4:1).
מְקֹמֽוֹhis placeN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מָקוֹם (H4725)Genitive complement of שַׁעַרמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; 'his place' — a general term for his home locality, paired with עִירוֹ for emphasis.
20

וְאָמְר֞וּ אֶל זִקְנֵ֣י עִיר֗וֹ בְּנֵ֤נוּ זֶה֙ סוֹרֵ֣ר וּמֹרֶ֔ה אֵינֶ֥נּוּ שֹׁמֵ֖עַ בְּקֹלֵ֑נוּ זוֹלֵ֖ל וְסֹבֵֽא

and shall say to the elders of his city, 'This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey us; he is a glutton and a drunkard.'

Direct quotation (the formal charge before the elders)וְ
The parents' testimony escalates the vague behavioral description of v.18 into concrete, legally cognizable vices (glutton, drunkard) — rabbinic tradition later required this exact wording be provable and unanimous, part of the fencing that rendered the law virtually inapplicable.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאָמְר֞וּand they shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, main clause→ Weqatal: sequential — introduces direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the parents' formal accusation before the elders.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional/recipient prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to', the addressee of the speech.
זִקְנֵ֣יthe elders ofadj (subst.) m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Object of the preposition אֶלזָקֵן (H2205) 'elder'; construct, the formal judicial audience.
עִיר֗וֹhis cityN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of זִקְנֵיעִיר (H5892) 'city'; 'his city', repeating v.19's local jurisdiction.
בְּנֵ֤נוּour sonN m sg constr + 1cp suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of the direct quotation (nominal clause)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 1cp suffix, 'our son' — the parents speak jointly, in unison, as the accusation requires.
זֶה֙thisdemonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive/appositive demonstrative modifying בְּנֵנוּזֶה (H2088) 'this'; points to the son standing before the elders.
סוֹרֵ֣רstubbornQal act ptc m sg abs · סָרַר (H5637)Predicate participle of the nominal clause→ Participle: characteristic/habitual qualityסָרַר (H5637), repeating v.18's charge verbatim as formal testimony before the court.
וּמֹרֶ֔הand rebelliousconj וְ + Qal act ptc m sg abs · מָרָה (H4784)Coordinate predicate participle→ Participle: characteristic/habitual qualityמָרָה (H4784), paired again with סוֹרֵר — the formal legal charge matches the narrator's own description exactly.
אֵינֶ֥נּוּhe does notnegative existential + 3ms suffix · אַיִן (H369)Negates the participle שֹׁמֵעַאַיִן (H369), negates 'he does not obey' — the parents formally testify to his persistent disobedience.
שֹׁמֵ֖עַobeyingQal act ptc m sg abs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate participle (negated)→ Participle: ongoing/habitual failureשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; repeating the charge from v.18, now spoken as sworn testimony.
בְּקֹלֵ֑נוּour voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 1cp suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Complement of שֹׁמֵעַקוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; 1cp suffix, 'our voice' — both parents united in a single collective testimony.
זוֹלֵ֖לa gluttonQal act ptc m sg abs · זָלַל (H2151)Predicate participle, new charge (apposition to בְּנֵנוּ)→ Participle: characteristic qualityזָלַל (H2151) 'to be worthless, squander, be gluttonous'; a NEW and more concrete charge — moral dissipation, not just disobedience.
וְסֹבֵֽאand a drunkardconj וְ + Qal act ptc m sg abs · סָבָא (H5435)Coordinate predicate participle→ Participle: characteristic qualityסָבָא (H5435) 'to drink heavily, be a drunkard'; paired with זוֹלֵל as a fixed idiom (cf. Prov 23:20-21) — the concrete vices that make the abstract 'rebellious' charge legally actionable.
21

וּ֠רְגָמֻהוּ כָּל אַנְשֵׁ֨י עִיר֤וֹ בָֽאֲבָנִים֙ וָמֵ֔ת וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָ וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִשְׁמְע֥וּ וְיִרָֽאוּ

Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear of it and be afraid.

Apodosis (the sentence) plus purpose clause (deterrent effect)asyndeton
The verse closes the rebellious-son law with its purpose stated explicitly — 'all Israel shall hear and fear' — the same deterrent formula used elsewhere for capital crimes (13:12; 17:13; 19:20), confirming this law's function as a maximal, rarely invoked, communal warning.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּ֠רְגָמֻהוּand they shall stone himconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp + 3ms suffix · רָגַם (H7275)Predicate verb, apodosis (the sentence)→ Weqatal: sequential/consequential — the community's collective executionרָגַם (H7275) 'to stone'; the entire community, not any single official, carries out the sentence — collective responsibility for the verdict.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of the subject noun phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'all the men of...' — emphasizing communal, not selective, participation.
אַנְשֵׁ֨יthe men ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive complement of כָּלאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural construct, 'men of his city' — the male citizenry as a body.
עִיר֤וֹhis cityN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of אַנְשֵׁיעִיר (H5892) 'city'; 'his city' — the very community he defied now executes the sentence.
בָֽאֲבָנִים֙with stonesprep בְּ + art + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Instrumental prepositional phrase (complement of וּרְגָמֻהוּ)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; plural, the means of communal execution — no single hand strikes the fatal blow.
וָמֵ֔תand he shall dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb, resultant clause→ Weqatal: consequential — the outcome of the stoningמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; states the sentence's result plainly, without euphemism.
וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥so you shall purgeconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate verb, shifts to direct address→ Weqatal: sequential/consequential — the community's ongoing obligationבָּעַר (H1197) II 'to burn, sweep away'; Piel 'purge', the same idiom as v.9 — the recurring Deuteronomic formula for removing communal guilt.
הָרָ֖עthe evilart + adj (subst.) m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object of וּבִעַרְתָּרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival, 'the evil' — generalizes the specific case into the recurring purity formula.
מִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָfrom your midstprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Ablative prepositional phrase (complement of וּבִעַרְתָּ)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; with מִן, 'from your midst' — the same purge-formula phrase used throughout Deuteronomy's legal corpus.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of the closing purpose clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, 'and all Israel' — the deterrent effect extends beyond the local community to the whole nation.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of כָּליִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, the intended audience of the deterrent.
יִשְׁמְע֥וּshall hearQal impf 3mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (purpose/result clause)→ Yiqtol: purpose/result — the intended nationwide effectשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; here the report of the execution spreads as a deterrent — the same purpose-clause formula recurs in other capital laws (13:12; 17:13; 19:20).
וְיִרָֽאוּand fearconj וְ + Qal impf 3mp · יָרֵא (H3372)Coordinate predicate verb (purpose/result)→ Yiqtol: purpose/result — the deterrent's intended emotional effectיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; paired with שָׁמַע, 'hear and fear' — the law's ultimate rationale is public deterrence, not merely punishment.
22

וְכִֽי יִהְיֶ֣ה בְאִ֗ישׁ חֵ֛טְא מִשְׁפַּט מָ֖וֶת וְהוּמָ֑ת וְתָלִ֥יתָ אֹת֖וֹ עַל עֵֽץ

And if a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is executed, and you hang him on a tree,

Casuistic protasis (opens the hanged-man law)וְ
The chapter's final case addresses not the trial (already assumed complete and just) but the post-execution treatment of the corpse — the law's concern is entirely about the display and the land, not guilt or process.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/casuistic conjunction (opens the hanged-man law)כִּי (H3588), opens the chapter's final case law, connected to the preceding by וְ.
יִהְיֶ֣הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: modal/hypotheticalהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; 'if there is in a man...' — impersonal construction introducing the case.
בְאִ֗ישׁin a manprep בְּ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Locative/possessive prepositional phraseאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; 'in a man [there is a sin]' — the guilty party already convicted and executed.
חֵ֛טְאa sin ofN m sg constr · חֵטְא (H2399)Subject of יִהְיֶה (construct chain)חֵטְא (H2399) 'sin, offense'; construct, 'a sin/offense of [the judgment of death]' — a capital crime, unspecified here.
מִשְׁפַּטthe judgment ofN m sg constr · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Genitive complement of חֵטְאמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, sentence'; construct, 'the sentence of death' — a capital offense already tried and sentenced.
מָ֖וֶתdeathN m sg abs · מָוֶת (H4194)Genitive complement of מִשְׁפַּטמָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; the fixed idiom חֵטְא מִשְׁפַּט מָוֶת 'a sin punishable by death' — this law addresses the AFTERMATH of a valid execution, not the trial itself.
וְהוּמָ֑תand he is put to deathconj וְ + Hophal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb, apodosis begins→ Weqatal/Hophal: passive, sequential — the sentence carried outמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Hophal passive, 'is put to death, is executed' — the execution itself is assumed as already accomplished; the law concerns only the corpse's treatment afterward.
וְתָלִ֥יתָand you hangconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · תָּלָה (H8518)Predicate verb, continuing apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential instructionתָּלָה (H8518) 'to hang'; the public display of the executed criminal's body, a further deterrent measure — quoted directly in Gal 3:13 of Christ's crucifixion.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (marks the executed man)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him', the direct object of וְתָלִיתָ.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; marks the display surface.
עֵֽץa treeN m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of the preposition עַלעֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood, gallows'; likely a wooden stake or gibbet for public display rather than a living tree — the term Paul cites in Gal 3:13 ('cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree').
23

לֹא תָלִ֨ין נִבְלָת֜וֹ עַל הָעֵ֗ץ כִּֽי קָב֤וֹר תִּקְבְּרֶ֨נּוּ֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא כִּֽי קִלְלַ֥ת אֱלֹהִ֖ים תָּל֑וּי וְלֹ֤א תְטַמֵּא֙ אֶת אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַחֲלָֽה

His corpse shall not remain all night on the tree; you shall surely bury him that same day, for a hanged man is accursed by God. You shall not defile your land that YHWH your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Concluding prohibition and rationale (closes the chapter)asyndeton
The chapter's final verse forms an inclusio with v.1: אֲדָמָה and the land YHWH 'is giving' (נֹתֵן) frame the whole unit, both cases addressing the danger unattended blood/death poses to the land's purity. Paul's citation of קִלְלַת אֱלֹהִים in Gal 3:13 reads Christ's crucifixion through this verse's lens of the curse absorbed on behalf of others.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תָלִיןלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative, opening the verse's prohibition.
תָלִ֨יןshall remain overnightQal impf 3fs · לוּן (H3885)Predicate verb (main clause, negated prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive, negated for prohibitionלוּן (H3885) 'to lodge, remain overnight'; the corpse must not be left displayed past sundown — the deterrent value of display is time-limited by respect for the body and the land.
נִבְלָת֜וֹhis corpseN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Subject of תָלִיןנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'corpse, carcass'; a term normally used of dead animals or a repugnant death — its use here underscores the degraded, cursed state of the hanged body.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'.
הָעֵ֗ץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of the preposition עַלעֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood, gallows'; now definite, referring back to v.22's tree of display.
כִּֽיbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction (contrasts with the preceding prohibition)כִּי (H3588), here adversative, 'but rather' — introduces the positive requirement of same-day burial.
קָב֤וֹרburyingQal inf abs · קָבַר (H6912)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the finite verb (emphatic obligation)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: categorical requirement — 'you shall SURELY bury him'קָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; infinitive absolute intensifies the positive command — burial is mandatory and immediate, not optional.
תִּקְבְּרֶ֨נּוּ֙you shall bury himQal impf 2ms + 3ms suffix · קָבַר (H6912)Predicate verb (emphatic obligation, reinforced by infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — an emphatic, binding requirementקָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; the executed man, despite his crime, must receive burial — dignity in death is not forfeited by capital punishment.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (complement of תִּקְבְּרֶנּוּ)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'on the day' — specifies the required timing, same-day burial.
הַה֔וּאthatart + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of בַּיּוֹםהוּא (H1931), demonstrative use, 'that (same) day' — no delay is permitted.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, grounds the burial requirementכִּי (H3588), causal, 'for' — introduces the theological rationale for urgent burial.
קִלְלַ֥תa curse ofN f sg constr · קְלָלָה (H7045)Predicate nominative (construct chain)קְלָלָה (H7045) 'curse'; construct, 'a curse of God' — the famous phrase quoted by Paul in Galatians 3:13.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of קִלְלַתאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; genitive, 'a curse OF God' — most naturally an objective/subjective genitive meaning the hanged body itself embodies or incurs a divine curse, hence the urgency of removal.
תָּל֑וּיthe hanged [man]Qal pass ptc m sg abs · תָּלָה (H8518)Subject of the nominal clause→ Passive participle: a settled, described stateתָּלָה (H8518) 'to hang'; passive participle, 'the hanged one' — restates v.22's action as the subject of this closing theological statement.
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תְטַמֵּאלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative, coordinating the final prohibition.
תְטַמֵּא֙you shall defilePiel impf 2ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (negated prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive, negated — the chapter's final warningטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be/become unclean'; Piel causative, 'defile, make unclean' — leaving the corpse displayed would ritually contaminate the land itself, YHWH's gift.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks אַדְמָתְךָ)אֵת (H853), marks the direct object of תְטַמֵּא.
אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔your landN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Direct object of תְטַמֵּאאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land'; the same term that opened the chapter (v.1), forming an inclusio — the land's purity frames the whole chapter.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Introduces relative clause modifying אַדְמָתְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'which YHWH your God is giving you.'
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, the giver of the land whose purity is at stake.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), 'your God', apposition to the divine name.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal act ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (main verb of the relative clause)→ Participle: durative — the land-gift as an ongoing divine actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the same land-gift participle that opened the chapter (v.1), closing the inclusio.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffixIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ preposition, 'to you', the recipient of the land.
נַחֲלָֽהas an inheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Adverbial accusative (predicate complement of נֹתֵן)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; the final word of the chapter — the land is Israel's permanent covenantal inheritance, whose purity this entire chapter has sought to protect, from unsolved blood (v.1) to a curse-bearing corpse (v.23).