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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 21:12 then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/21-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/05_Deu_21_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 21:12 - Marrying a Captive Woman" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/21-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/21-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-11.htm" title="Deuteronomy 21:11">◄</a> Deuteronomy 21:12 <a href="/deuteronomy/21-13.htm" title="Deuteronomy 21:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Bring her into your home and have her shave her head, trim her nails<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If this happens, you may take her to your home, where she must shave her head, cut her nails,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and you bring her home to your house, she shall shave her head and pare her nails.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />then you shall bring her home to your house, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />then you shall bring her into your home, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />then you shall bring her home to your house, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />then you shall bring her home to your house, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />then you shall bring her home to your house, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />then you shall bring her [home] to your house, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails [in preparation for mourning].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />you are to bring her into your house. She is to shave her head, trim her nails,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />you are to bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />then thou shalt bring her home to thy house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Bring her into your home. She must shave her head, cut her nails,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Take her to your home, where she will shave her head, cut her fingernails, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Bring her to your house, but shave her head and trim her nails. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />you may bring her back to your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />then you shall bring her home to your house; and she shall shave her head, and trim her nails; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then thou shalt bring her home to thy house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />then you shall bring her home to your house. She shall shave her head and trim her nails. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />then you have brought her into the midst of your household, and she has shaved her head, and prepared her nails,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> then thou hast brought her in unto the midst of thy household, and she hath shaved her head, and prepared her nails,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thou broughtest her to thy house, and she shaved her head and did her nails:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt bring her into thy house: and she shall shave her hair, and pare her nails, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />then you shall lead her into your house. And she shall shave off her hair, and cut her nails short,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and so you take her home to your house, she must shave her head, cut her nails,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and so you bring her home to your house: she shall shave her head, pare her nails,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then you shall bring her home to your house; and she shall shave her head and pare her nails;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you will bring her within your house, shave her head and pare her nails;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />then thou shalt bring her home to thy house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and shouldest bring her within thine house: then shalt thou shave her head, and pare her nails;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=5788" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Marrying a Captive Woman</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>if you see a beautiful woman among them, and you desire her and want to take her as your wife, <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: wa·hă·ḇê·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2ms:: 3fs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">then you shall bring her</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">into</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: tō·wḵ (N-msc) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯe·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">your house.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1548.htm" title="1548: wə·ḡil·lə·ḥāh (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To be bald, shave, shave off. A primitive root; properly, to be bald, i.e. to shave; figuratively to lay waste.">She must shave</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rō·šāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">her head,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wə·‘ā·śə·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">trim</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6856.htm" title="6856: ṣip·pā·rə·ne·hā (N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Fingernail, stylus point. From tsaphar (from tsippowr) of scratching); properly, a claw, i.e. nail; also the point of a style.">her nails,</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>and 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/14-8.htm">Leviticus 14:8</a></span><br />The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be ceremonially clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/5-18.htm">Numbers 5:18</a></span><br />After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-6.htm">1 Corinthians 11:6</a></span><br />If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. And if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-3.htm">1 Peter 3:3</a></span><br />Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-24.htm">Isaiah 3:24</a></span><br />Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20</a></span><br />They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-9.htm">1 Timothy 2:9</a></span><br />Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-65.htm">Genesis 24:65</a></span><br />and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/3-3.htm">Ruth 3:3</a></span><br />Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-41.htm">1 Samuel 25:41</a></span><br />She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-2.htm">2 Samuel 14:2</a></span><br />So Joab sent to Tekoa to bring a wise woman from there. He told her, “Please pretend to be a mourner; put on clothes for mourning and do not anoint yourself with oil. Act like a woman who has mourned for the dead a long time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Isaiah 15:2</a></span><br />Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/41-5.htm">Jeremiah 41:5</a></span><br />eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their garments, and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, carrying grain offerings and frankincense for the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/1-16.htm">Micah 1:16</a></span><br />Shave yourselves bald and cut off your hair in mourning for your precious children; make yourselves as bald as an eagle, for they will go from you into exile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-15.htm">1 Corinthians 11:15</a></span><br />but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then you shall bring her home to your house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/11-6.htm">1 Corinthians 11:6</a></b></br> For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/4-22.htm">Ephesians 4:22</a></b></br> That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;</p><p class="hdg">pare her nails; `i.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/20-20.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-9.htm">Head</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">Home</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">House</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-20.htm">Household</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-9.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/numbers/4-32.htm">Nails</a> <a href="/numbers/28-15.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Shave</a> <a href="/numbers/6-19.htm">Shaved</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Trim</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/23-1.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-25.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-13.htm">Head</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-19.htm">Home</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-13.htm">House</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-11.htm">Household</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-21.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/22-3.htm">Nails</a> <a href="/joshua/4-4.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/judges/16-19.htm">Shave</a> <a href="/judges/16-17.htm">Shaved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-33.htm">Trim</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">The Atonement for an Unsolved Murder</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-10.htm">The usage of a captive taken to wife</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">The firstborn is not to be disinherited upon private affection</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-18.htm">A rebellious son is to be stoned to death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-22.htm">The malefactor must not hang all night on a tree</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>then you shall bring her into your house.</b><br>This phrase refers to the practice of taking a captive woman as a wife after a battle. In the ancient Near Eastern context, warfare often resulted in the capture of women. The instruction to bring her into the house signifies a transition from captivity to a more protected and potentially honorable status. This act can be seen as a form of integration into the Israelite community, providing her with a new identity and family. The house represents a place of safety and belonging, contrasting with her previous status as a captive. This practice reflects the broader biblical theme of redemption and transformation, where individuals are brought from a state of alienation into a covenant community.<p><b>She must shave her head,</b><br>Shaving the head was a common mourning practice in the ancient Near East, symbolizing a break from the past and the beginning of a new life. This act could also signify purification and the removal of her former identity as a foreigner. In biblical terms, it represents a cleansing process, similar to the purification rituals found in Leviticus. The shaving of the head can also be seen as a type of Christ, who, in His sacrifice, removes the old self and offers a new identity in Him. This act of shaving is a physical manifestation of an inward transformation, aligning with the biblical theme of renewal.<p><b>trim her nails,</b><br>Trimming the nails, like shaving the head, is part of the purification process. It symbolizes the removal of impurities and the preparation for a new beginning. In the cultural context, this act may have been associated with personal hygiene and readiness for integration into a new community. Biblically, it can be seen as a metaphor for sanctification, the process by which believers are made holy and set apart for God's purposes. This act of trimming is a small but significant step in the transformation of the captive woman, reflecting the broader biblical narrative of cleansing and preparation for a new life in God's covenant community.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people receiving the law, God's chosen nation, tasked with living according to His commandments.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/captive_woman.htm">Captive Woman</a></b><br>A woman taken as a captive during warfare, whom an Israelite man desires to marry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/household.htm">Household</a></b><br>The setting where the captive woman is brought, symbolizing a transition into a new life and community.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/shaving_of_head_and_trimming_of_nails.htm">Shaving of Head and Trimming of Nails</a></b><br>Ritual acts symbolizing purification, mourning, and the transition from her previous life to a new one.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader and prophet who delivered God's laws to the Israelites, including this instruction.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_sensitivity_and_respect.htm">Cultural Sensitivity and Respect</a></b><br>The law reflects a concern for the dignity and humanity of the captive woman, emphasizing the importance of treating others with respect, even in difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_transformation.htm">Symbolism of Transformation</a></b><br>The acts of shaving and trimming symbolize a break from the past and a new beginning, reminding us of the transformative power of God's grace in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/marriage_as_a_covenant.htm">Marriage as a Covenant</a></b><br>The process outlined in the law underscores the seriousness of marriage as a covenant, not to be entered into lightly or without consideration of the other person's well-being.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_concern_for_the_vulnerable.htm">God's Concern for the Vulnerable</a></b><br>This law highlights God's care for the vulnerable and marginalized, encouraging us to advocate for and protect those who are powerless.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integration_into_community.htm">Integration into Community</a></b><br>The captive woman's transition into the household signifies the importance of community and belonging, urging us to welcome and integrate newcomers into our faith communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_allow_war_captives_as_brides.htm">Deuteronomy 21:10–14: Why would a just God permit the taking of war captives as brides under these conditions? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_allow_forced_marriages_in_deut._21.htm">Why does the Old Testament allow forced marriages of female captives (Deuteronomy 21:10-14)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_jephthah's_act_condemned.htm">Judges 11:34-39: If Jephthah's daughter was actually sacrificed, why is there no explicit condemnation of this act elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_solomon's_sacrifice_conflict_with_bans.htm">Does Solomon's sacrifice at high places (1 Kings 3:2-3) conflict with scriptural bans on worship outside the central sanctuary?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">She shall shave her head, and pare her nails.</span> The shaving of the head and the paring of the nails, as well as the putting off of the garments worn when taken captive, were signs of purification, of separation from former heathenism, preparatory to reception among the covenant people of Jehovah (cf. <a href="/leviticus/14-8.htm">Leviticus 14:8</a>; <a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7</a>). <span class="accented">Pare her nails</span>; literally, make or <span class="accented">prepare her nails</span>, <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. by cutting them down to a proper size and form (cf. <a href="/2_samuel/19-25.htm">2 Samuel 19:25</a>, where the same word is used of dressing the feet and trimming the beard). The Targum of Onkelos takes this in quite an opposite sense, rendering, as in the margin of the Authorized Version, "suffer to grow," and the rabbins who adopt this meaning suppose that the design of the prescription was that the woman, being rendered unlovely, the man might be deterred from taking her to be his wife. But this is altogether alien from the spirit and scope of the passage. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">then you shall bring</span><br /><span class="heb">וַהֲבֵאתָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(wa·hă·ḇê·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her into</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your house.</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(bê·ṯe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">She must shave</span><br /><span class="heb">וְגִלְּחָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḡil·lə·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1548.htm">Strong's 1548: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be bald, to shave, to lay waste</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her head,</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹאשָׁ֔הּ</span> <span class="translit">(rō·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">trim</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָשְׂתָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·śə·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her nails,</span><br /><span class="heb">צִפָּרְנֶֽיהָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣip·pā·rə·ne·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6856.htm">Strong's 6856: </a> </span><span class="str2">A claw, nail, the point of a, style</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Deuteronomy 21:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 21:12 Then you shall bring her home (Deut. 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