Deuteronomy 21 contains various laws and guidelines for the Israelites to follow. The chapter begins with instructions for handling unsolved murders. If a slain person is found outside the city, the elders and judges of nearby towns are to measure the distance to the body and perform a ritual involving a heifer. This ceremony is meant to atone for the bloodshed and ensure the innocence of the community.
The chapter also addresses the treatment of captive women during times of war. If an Israelite soldier desires a captive woman, he must allow her time to mourn her family before marrying her. If, after a period of time, he no longer finds her pleasing, he is instructed to set her free and not treat her as a slave.
Another law focuses on inheritance rights. If a man has two wives, one loved and the other disliked, and both bear him sons, he is not allowed to show favoritism when distributing his property. The firstborn son, regardless of his mother, is to receive a double portion of the inheritance.
Deuteronomy 21 also addresses the punishment for rebellious and disobedient children. If a child is consistently disobedient and disrespectful, the parents can bring the matter before the elders. If the child is found guilty, he is to be stoned to death as a warning to others.
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