“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.”
This verse is part of a passage that deals with the regulations for the treatment of captives in the context of war. In the preceding verses, Deuteronomy 21:10-13, guidelines are given for taking a wife from among the captives. Deuteronomy 21:14 continues the discussion, addressing what should happen if the husband is not pleased with his captive wife.
To understand the verse better, it’s important to consider the cultural and historical context. In ancient times, during war, it was common for victorious armies to take captives, including women. The purpose of the regulations found in Deuteronomy was to establish guidelines that would ensure fair and just treatment for these captives.
In Deuteronomy 21:14, the verse states that if a husband who took a captive as his wife does not find pleasure in her or is no longer willing to continue the marriage, he should allow her to go wherever she wishes. This implies that the husband cannot keep her against her will if he no longer desires to be married to her. This provision emphasizes the importance of the woman’s well-being and recognizes her freedom to make choices regarding her life.
Furthermore, the verse prohibits the husband from selling her for money or treating her as merchandise. This provision demonstrates the value of human dignity and underscores the prohibition against treating another person as a commodity or object for profit.
It is important to note that this passage should not be interpreted as condoning or promoting the taking of captives or war. Rather, it establishes rules to mitigate the potential harm and injustice that may arise from such situations, emphasizing the importance of compassion and fair treatment.
In summary, Deuteronomy 21:14 provides guidance on the treatment of captive wives in the context of war. It affirms the importance of a woman’s freedom to leave a marriage if the husband is no longer pleased with her and emphasizes the prohibition against treating her as a commodity or object for profit.
