Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If you are not pleased with her, let her go wherever she wishes. You must not sell her or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her. New Living Translation But if you marry her and she does not please you, you must let her go free. You may not sell her or treat her as a slave, for you have humiliated her. English Standard Version But if you no longer delight in her, you shall let her go where she wants. But you shall not sell her for money, nor shall you treat her as a slave, since you have humiliated her. Berean Standard Bible And if you are not pleased with her, you are to let her go wherever she wishes. But you must not sell her for money or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her. Berean Literal Bible And it shall be, if you have no delight in her, that you send her away at her desire. And surely you shall not sell her for silver, nor shall you treat her brutally, upon that you have humbled her. King James Bible And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her. New King James Version And it shall be, if you have no delight in her, then you shall set her free, but you certainly shall not sell her for money; you shall not treat her brutally, because you have humbled her. New American Standard Bible But it shall be, if you are not pleased with her, then you shall let her go wherever she wishes; and you certainly shall not sell her for money, you shall not treat her as merchandise, since you have humiliated her. NASB 1995 “It shall be, if you are not pleased with her, then you shall let her go wherever she wishes; but you shall certainly not sell her for money, you shall not mistreat her, because you have humbled her. NASB 1977 “And it shall be, if you are not pleased with her, then you shall let her go wherever she wishes; but you shall certainly not sell her for money, you shall not mistreat her, because you have humbled her. Legacy Standard Bible And it will be that, if you do not desire her, then you shall let her go wherever she wishes; but you shall certainly not sell her for money; you shall not mistreat her because you have humbled her. Amplified Bible But it shall be that if you have no delight and take no pleasure in her, then you shall let her go wherever she wishes. You certainly shall not sell her for money; you shall not deal with her as a slave or mistreat her, because you have humbled her [by forced marriage]. Berean Annotated Bible And if you are not pleased with her, you are to let her go wherever she wishes. But you must not sell her for money or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her. Christian Standard Bible Then if you are not satisfied with her, you are to let her go where she wants, but you must not sell her or treat her as merchandise, because you have humiliated her. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then if you are not satisfied with her, you are to let her go where she wants, but you must not sell her for money or treat her as merchandise, because you have humiliated her.” American Standard Version And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not deal with her as a slave, because thou hast humbled her. Contemporary English Version Later on, if you are not happy with the woman, you can divorce her, and she can go free. But you have slept with her as your wife, so you cannot sell her as a slave or make her into your own slave. English Revised Version And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not deal with her as a slave, because thou hast humbled her. GOD'S WORD® Translation But if it happens that you are no longer pleased with her, let her go wherever she wants. You must never sell her or mistreat her as if she were a slave, since you've already had sex with her. Good News Translation Later, if you no longer want her, you are to let her go free. Since you forced her to have intercourse with you, you cannot treat her as a slave and sell her. International Standard Version If you aren't pleased with her and you send her away, you must not sell her for money or mistreat her, since you will have dishonored her." NET Bible If you are not pleased with her, then you must let her go where she pleases. You cannot in any case sell her; you must not take advantage of her, since you have already humiliated her. New Heart English Bible It shall be, if you are not pleased with her, then you must let her go where she wants; but you may not sell her for money or treat her as a commodity, since you have had relations with her. Webster's Bible Translation And it shall be, if thou shalt have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money; thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd if you are not pleased with her, you are to let her go wherever she wishes. But you must not sell her for money or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her. World English Bible It shall be, if you have no delight in her, then you shall let her go where she desires; but you shall not sell her at all for money. You shall not deal with her as a slave, because you have humbled her. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it has been, if you have not delighted in her, that you have sent her away at her desire, and surely you do not sell her for money; you do not tyrannize over her, because that you have humbled her. Berean Literal Bible And it shall be, if you have no delight in her, that you send her away at her desire. And surely you shall not sell her for silver, nor shall you treat her brutally, upon that you have humbled her. Young's Literal Translation 'And it hath been -- if thou hast not delighted in her, that thou hast sent her away at her desire, and thou dost not at all sell her for money; thou dost not tyrannize over her, because that thou hast humbled her. Smith's Literal Translation And it was, if thou didst not delight in her, and thou sentest her away according to her soul; and selling, thou shalt not sell her for silver; and thou shalt not lay hands upon her because thou didst humble her. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleRut if afterwards she please thee not, thou shalt let her go free, but thou mayst not sell her for money nor oppress her by might because thou hast humbled her. Catholic Public Domain Version But if afterwards she does not sit well in your mind, you shall set her free. You cannot sell her for money, nor can you oppress her by force. For you have humiliated her. New American Bible If later on you lose your liking for her, you shall give her her freedom, if she wishes it; you must not sell her for money. Do not enslave her, since you have violated her. New Revised Standard Version But if you are not satisfied with her, you shall let her go free and not sell her for money. You must not treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd it shall be, if you have no delight in her, then you shall let her go where she will; but you shall not sell her at all for money; you shall not make a harlot of her, for sake of a gain, because you have humbled her. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if you do not want her, release her soul and you shall not sell her for money and you shall not make profit by her in exchange for her dishonor. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not deal with her as a slave, because thou hast humbled her. Brenton Septuagint Translation And it shall be if thou do not delight in her, thou shalt send her out free; and she shall not by any means be sold for money, thou shalt not treat her contemptuously, because thou hast humbled her. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Marrying a Captive Woman…13and put aside the clothing of her captivity. After she has lived in your house a full month and mourned her father and mother, you may have relations with her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife. 14And if you are not pleased with her, you are to let her go wherever she wishes. But you must not sell her for money or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her. Cross References And if you are not pleased with her, Deuteronomy 24:1-4 If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, … Malachi 2:14-16 Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. / Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. / “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith. Matthew 19:8-9 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. / Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” you are to let her go wherever she wishes. Exodus 21:11 If, however, he does not provide her with these three things, she is free to go without monetary payment. Deuteronomy 15:12-15 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. … Jeremiah 34:14-17 Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear. / Recently you repented and did what pleased Me; each of you proclaimed freedom for his neighbor. You made a covenant before Me in the house that bears My Name. / But now you have changed your minds and profaned My name. Each of you has taken back the menservants and maidservants whom you had set at liberty to go wherever they wanted, and you have again forced them to be your slaves. … But you must not sell her for money Exodus 21:8 If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her. Leviticus 25:42 Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves. Exodus 21:16 Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession. or treat her as a slave, Leviticus 25:39-43 If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. … Deuteronomy 24:7 If a man is caught kidnapping one of his Israelite brothers, whether he treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. So you must purge the evil from among you. Exodus 1:13-14 They worked the Israelites ruthlessly / and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar, and with all kinds of work in the fields. Every service they imposed was harsh. since you have dishonored her. Deuteronomy 22:28-29 If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, / then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives. Genesis 34:2 When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force. 2 Samuel 13:12-14 “No, my brother!” she cried. “Do not violate me, for such a thing should never be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! / Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.” / But Amnon refused to listen to her, and being stronger, he violated her and lay with her. Exodus 21:7-11 And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do. / If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her. / And if he chooses her for his son, he must deal with her as with a daughter. … Treasury of Scripture And it shall be, if you have no delight in her, then you shall let her go where she will; but you shall not sell her at all for money, you shall not make merchandise of her, because you have humbled her. thou shalt Exodus 21:7-11 And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do… because thou Deuteronomy 22:19,24,29 And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days… Genesis 34:2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. Judges 19:24 Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing. Jump to Previous Deal Delight Delighted Desire Dishonored Humbled Humiliated Merchandise Mistreat Money Pleased Pleasure Price Property Sell Slave Treat Use Wherever Whither Wise WishesJump to Next Deal Delight Delighted Desire Dishonored Humbled Humiliated Merchandise Mistreat Money Pleased Pleasure Price Property Sell Slave Treat Use Wherever Whither Wise WishesDeuteronomy 21 1. The Atonement for an Unsolved Murder10. The usage of a captive taken to wife 15. The firstborn is not to be disinherited upon private affection 18. A rebellious son is to be stoned to death 22. The malefactor must not hang all night on a tree And if you are not pleased with her, This phrase addresses a situation where an Israelite man has taken a captive woman as a wife but later finds himself displeased with her. The context is the aftermath of war, where women from conquered nations could be taken as wives. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of integrating captives into society, though with specific regulations to protect the dignity of the woman. The displeasure here is not specified, but it implies a change of heart or circumstances that lead to the man no longer desiring the marriage. you are to let her go wherever she wishes. But you must not sell her for money or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her. Persons / Places / Events 1. Israelite MenThe passage addresses Israelite men who might take a captive woman as a wife. 2. Captive Woman A woman taken as a captive during warfare, who may become a wife to an Israelite man. 3. Moses The author of Deuteronomy, who is conveying God's laws to the Israelites. 4. The Promised Land The context of these laws is the Israelites' future life in the Promised Land. 5. God's Covenant The overarching theme of Deuteronomy is the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Teaching Points Respect for Human DignityThe law in Deuteronomy 21:14 underscores the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect, even in difficult circumstances like war. Protection of the Vulnerable This passage provides a legal framework to protect a vulnerable person (the captive woman) from exploitation and abuse, reflecting God's concern for justice. Marriage as a Covenant The passage highlights the seriousness of marriage as a covenant, not to be entered into or dissolved lightly. God's Justice and Mercy The law reflects God's justice and mercy, ensuring that even those who are powerless have rights and protections. Cultural Context and Timeless Principles While the cultural context of ancient Israel differs from today, the principles of justice, mercy, and respect for human dignity remain relevant. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 21:14?2. How does Deuteronomy 21:14 emphasize the importance of treating others with dignity? 3. What does "you must not sell her for money" teach about human value? 4. How can we apply Deuteronomy 21:14 to modern relationships and commitments? 5. In what ways does this verse connect to the New Testament teachings on love? 6. How does Deuteronomy 21:14 reflect God's justice and compassion in the Old Testament? 7. How does Deuteronomy 21:14 align with modern views on women's rights and autonomy? 8. What historical context explains the treatment of captive women in Deuteronomy 21:14? 9. How should Christians interpret Deuteronomy 21:14 in light of New Testament teachings? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 21? 11. What does the Bible teach about money? 12. Deuteronomy 21:10–14: Why would a just God permit the taking of war captives as brides under these conditions? 13. Deuteronomy 14:22-27 says tithes can be exchanged for money if travel is too far. Does this contradict other biblical teachings on tithing? 14. Deuteronomy 14:21 allows selling meat that dies of itself to foreigners. How does this reconcile with moral and compassionate principles elsewhere in the Bible? What Does Deuteronomy 21:14 Mean And if you are not pleased with herDeuteronomy 21:14 opens with the possibility that, after marrying the captive woman described in verses 10-13, the man’s affection fades. Scripture acknowledges human frailty yet still holds the man accountable. • The law never excuses fickle love but regulates it so the woman is protected (see Deuteronomy 24:1; Matthew 19:8). • God’s concern for the vulnerable appears throughout the Law, from widows and orphans (Exodus 22:22) to sojourners (Leviticus 19:34). you are to let her go wherever she wishes Her freedom is non-negotiable. She is free “wherever she wishes,” not merely to the next village but to any life she chooses. • This directive stands in sharp contrast to ancient Near-Eastern customs that treated captives as perpetual property (compare Exodus 3:7-8, where God hears the cry of the oppressed). • By granting liberty, the Lord affirms her personhood and agency, reflecting the creation truth that both man and woman bear God’s image (Genesis 1:27). But you must not sell her for money Financial gain from her release is forbidden. • The law bars turning repentance into profit, echoing Exodus 21:8, where a master who loses delight in a female servant “has no right to sell her to foreigners.” • The principle anticipates New-Covenant teaching: “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). or treat her as a slave Even remaining in the household, she cannot be reduced to servitude. • Israel’s memory of Egyptian bondage undergirds this command (Deuteronomy 5:15). • Paul later reinforces that in Christ there is “neither slave nor free” (Galatians 3:28), reflecting the same heartbeat. since you have dishonored her The man’s prior intimacy imposes lasting responsibility. • Sexual union creates covenantal obligations (Exodus 22:16-17). • Dishonor here means he humbled her by marrying then rejecting her; therefore he must bear the cost, not her. • The Lord upholds justice by tying privilege to responsibility—if a man benefits from a woman’s vulnerability, he must also protect her dignity (James 1:27 in principle). summary Deuteronomy 21:14 sets a boundary around male power and elevates the worth of a vulnerable woman. If love cools, the man must release her freely, refuse profit, and never enslave her, because his earlier intimacy placed him in her debt. The verse reveals God’s unwavering commitment to human dignity, reminding believers that covenant love is accountable love and that freedom, justice, and honor are the minimum owed to every image-bearer. Verse 14. - Should the man afterwards come no longer to have pleasure in her, he was to let her go whither she would, but he was not to sell her for money or use any violence to her. Thou shalt not make merchandise of her. The verb in the form here used occurs only here and in Deuteronomy 24:7; derived from a root which signifies to gather or press, it properly means to press for one's self, to lay hands on one, to use violence to one.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Andוְהָיָ֞ה (wə·hā·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be if אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you are not לֹ֧א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no pleased with her, חָפַ֣צְתָּ (ḥā·p̄aṣ·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2654: To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desire you are to let her go וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ֙ (wə·šil·laḥ·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out wherever she wishes. לְנַפְשָׁ֔הּ (lə·nap̄·šāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion But you must not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no sell וּמָכֹ֥ר (ū·mā·ḵōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 4376: To sell her for money בַּכָּ֑סֶף (bak·kā·sep̄) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money or treat her as a slave, תִתְעַמֵּ֣ר (ṯiṯ·‘am·mêr) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 6014: To gather grain since תַּ֖חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of you have dishonored her. עִנִּיתָֽהּ׃ (‘in·nî·ṯāh) Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted Links Deuteronomy 21:14 NIVDeuteronomy 21:14 NLT Deuteronomy 21:14 ESV Deuteronomy 21:14 NASB Deuteronomy 21:14 KJV Deuteronomy 21:14 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 21:14 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 21:14 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 21:14 French Bible Deuteronomy 21:14 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 21:14 It shall be if you have no (Deut. 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