deuteronomy-21:18-nkjv,nlt

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 21:18-21

The formal accusation of parents against a child was to be received without inquiry, as being its own proof. Thus the just authority of the parents is recognized and effectually upheld (compare Exodus 20:12; Exodus 21:15, Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9); but the extreme and irresponsible power of life and death, conceded by the law of Rome and other pagan nations, is withheld from the Israelite father. In this, as in the last law, provision is made against the abuses of a necessary authority. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-23

Respect for human life (21:1-23)Murder made the land unclean, and the uncleanness could be removed only by the execution of the murderer (see Numbers 35:29-34). Where the murderer could not be found, the elders of the town nearest the place of the murder had to go to an unpolluted stream nearby and carry out the ritual slaughter of a young cow instead of the unknown murderer. The blood of the cow washed away in the stream symbolized the removal of uncleanness caused by the unlawful bloodshed... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 21:18

stubborn = rebellious. rebellious = refractory. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Deuteronomy 21:18

DEALING WITH A REBELLIOUS SON"If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, that will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and, though they chasten him, will not hearken unto them; then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 21:18

Ver. 18, &c. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son— Ample provision having been made for the security of private rights between neighbour and neighbour, Moses made another law for the regulation of families, by giving to parents a well-tempered power over incorrigible children: which was not to put the lives of their children absolutely into their hands, as the laws of some other countries did; but to direct them,—when all means of admonition and correction were lost upon a son, and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 21:18

18-21. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son—A severe law was enacted in this case. But the consent of both parents was required as a prevention of any abuse of it; for it was reasonable to suppose that they would not both agree to a criminal information against their son except from absolute necessity, arising from his inveterate and hopeless wickedness; and, in that view, the law was wise and salutary, as such a person would be a pest and nuisance to society. The punishment was that to... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 21:10-21

Wives and children 21:10-21Everything in this section has some connection with the sixth commandment remote though it may be in some cases. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 21:18-21

The punishment of an incorrigible child 21:18-21The previous ordinance guarded a son from a capricious father. This one maintained the rights of parents whose son (or daughter, presumably) was incorrigible. While the problem in view was one of lack of respect for parents (the fifth commandment), the offense could result in the death of the child (the sixth commandment).This case presupposes a long history of rebelliousness. The son had become a glutton and a drunkard (Deuteronomy 21:20). That... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 21:1-23

Expiation of Undetected Homicide. Marriage of Captive Women. Punishment of a Rebellious SonThe last sub-section of the Second Discourse begins here, containing a variety of social and domestic regulations.1-9. The Expiation of Undetected Homicide. The cases of accidental and open, wilful murder have been already provided for in Deuteronomy 19. This passage treats the case of undetected homicide. Murder pollutes the land and must be expiated. When the murderer cannot be discovered the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Deuteronomy 21:18-21

Deuteronomy 21:18-21. THE INCORRIGIBLE SON.(18) If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son.—Here we are again reminded that the Law of Jehovah was also the civil and criminal law of Israel. The systematic breach of the first commandment of the second table of the Law, no less than of the first commandment of the first table, entailed the penalty of death. Manifestly this enactment, if carried out, would be a great protection to the country against lawless and abandoned characters, and would... read more