Deuteronomy 21:18

KJV

¶ If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and [that], when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

KJV (with Strong's)

If a man {H376} have a stubborn {H5637} and rebellious {H4784} son {H1121}, which will not obey {H8085} the voice {H6963} of his father {H1}, or the voice {H6963} of his mother {H517}, and that, when they have chastened {H3256} him, will not hearken {H8085} unto them:

Complete Jewish Bible

"If a man has a stubborn, rebellious son who will not obey what his father or mother says, and even after they discipline him he still refuses to pay attention to them;

Berean Standard Bible

If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined,

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 21:18 introduces a foundational legal provision within the Deuteronomic covenant code, addressing the profound and persistent defiance of a son against his parents. This verse initiates a formal judicial process, highlighting the paramount importance of familial order, parental authority, and the stability of the Israelite community, where unyielding rebellion was understood as a direct affront to the divinely established social and moral fabric. The law underscores that such incorrigible behavior was not merely a private family matter but a communal threat requiring public intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of the Deuteronomic Code (Deuteronomy 12-26), a comprehensive compilation of laws and statutes given by God to Israel through Moses. Specifically, it resides within a section (Deuteronomy 21:10-23:14) that meticulously details various aspects of civil and domestic life, encompassing regulations concerning warfare, marriage, property rights, and judicial processes. The immediate preceding verses address the treatment of a captive woman, while the subsequent verses [Deuteronomy 21:19-21](/deuteronomy/21-19-21 "Deuteronomy 21:19-21 - Judicial Process for the Rebellious Son") meticulously outline the judicial procedure for the "stubborn and rebellious son," culminating in the severe penalty of stoning. This specific placement within the legal framework underscores the critical importance of family integrity and the maintenance of societal order, elevating a son's incorrigible rebellion from a mere domestic dispute to a profound societal concern. The law's severity is best understood within the broader framework of covenant fidelity, where disobedience to parents was perceived as a direct violation of the Fifth Commandment, "Honor your father and your mother" [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, including ancient Israel, the family unit (the _bet 'av_, "house of the father") served as the foundational bedrock of society, and patriarchal authority was unequivocally paramount. Obedience to parents was not merely a social custom or a matter of etiquette but a profound moral and religious imperative, directly linked to the stability, prosperity, and well-being of the entire community. Disrespect for parental authority was considered a grave offense, as it fundamentally undermined the very structure and order of society. The law's provision for public judgment at the city gate [Deuteronomy 21:19](/deuteronomy/21-19 "Deuteronomy 21:19 - Public Judgment at the City Gate"), involving the elders of the city rather than private parental retribution, profoundly emphasizes that such extreme cases of filial rebellion were viewed as a direct threat to the communal order. This public intervention was deemed necessary to uphold justice, deter similar behavior, and maintain the covenantal purity of the community. This was not a common occurrence but a legal safeguard for the most extreme, uncorrectable breakdown of the family unit, reflecting a society where the family's spiritual and social health directly impacted the nation's covenant relationship with God.

* **Key Themes:** The law concerning the stubborn and rebellious son significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Primarily, it underscores the **sanctity of parental authority and the imperative of filial obedience**, reflecting the divinely ordained order established for the family. This serves as a direct and severe application of the Fifth Commandment, which promises blessing for obedience and warns of dire consequences for disobedience. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **societal order and justice**, demonstrating how individual behavior, particularly within the family, profoundly impacts the entire community. The mandatory involvement of the city elders signifies that unchecked rebellion within a family could destabilize the broader Israelite society, which was uniquely structured around covenant faithfulness to Yahweh. Finally, the law meticulously emphasizes the distinction between **persistent defiance versus correctable behavior**, differentiating between a momentary lapse in judgment and an incorrigible, entrenched pattern of rebellion that stubbornly resists all forms of parental discipline and instruction, as explicitly stated in the phrase "when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them." This crucial distinction indicates that the law was intended as a last resort for truly irredeemable cases, echoing the broader Deuteronomic emphasis on the severe consequences of unrepentant disobedience to God's covenant commands, as powerfully detailed in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stubborn (Hebrew, _çârar'_):** Derived from H5637, this term denotes one who is refractory, intractable, or turns away from the proper path. It conveys a deep-seated, willful resistance to guidance and correction, suggesting an unyielding disposition that is not merely momentary but an ingrained characteristic of defiance. It implies a moral turning away from what is right.
* **Rebellious (Hebrew, _mârâh'_):** From H4784, this word signifies one who is disobedient, defiant, or actively rebels against authority. When combined with "stubborn," it intensifies the description, painting a vivid picture of a son who not only resists correction but actively opposes and challenges the legitimate, divinely ordained authority of his parents. This term is also significantly used elsewhere in the Old Testament to describe rebellion against God Himself (e.g., [Numbers 20:10](/numbers/20-10 "Numbers 20:10 - Moses' Rebellion at Meribah")), underscoring the profound gravity and theological implications of the son's behavior.
* **Chastened (Hebrew, _yâçar'_):** From H3256, this verb denotes discipline, instruction, or correction, often with the explicit aim of moral improvement, education, or reformation. It implies that the parents had already undertaken significant, repeated efforts to guide, teach, and correct their son through various means—ranging from verbal admonition and instruction to physical discipline. The critical phrase "will not hearken unto them" even after such "chastening" indicates a profound and unyielding rejection of all parental attempts at remediation, highlighting the son's incorrigible nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son":** This opening clause immediately establishes the specific and extreme nature of the offense. The son is characterized not by isolated acts of childish disobedience but by a persistent, ingrained pattern of "stubbornness" (an unyielding, morally refractory disposition) and "rebellion" (active defiance against legitimate authority). This is a legal designation for an incorrigible individual, indicating a fundamental character flaw rather than a temporary lapse.
* **"which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother":** This phrase further clarifies the pervasive nature of the rebellion. The son's defiance is explicitly directed against both parents, signifying a complete and deliberate rejection of their joint parental authority. "Will not obey the voice" implies a refusal to listen, heed, or comply with their instructions, commands, or counsel, indicating a fundamental and irreparable breakdown of the parent-child relationship and the established family order.
* **"and [that], when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them":** This critical clause underscores the incorrigible and unrepentant nature of the son's rebellion. It explicitly states that the parents have already exhausted their means of discipline, instruction, and correction ("when they have chastened him"), yet the son remains unyielding and persistently refuses to "hearken" (to listen with the intent to obey). This signifies a deliberate and entrenched refusal to change his behavior, even after repeated and earnest attempts at remediation, making him a profound danger to the family and, by extension, to the covenant community.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 21:18 masterfully employs **Legal Language** and **Repetition** to emphasize the severity and precise criteria of the offense. The highly specific phrasing, "stubborn and rebellious son," functions as a precise legal descriptor, defining a particular category of offense that warrants communal intervention and severe judicial action. The powerful **Repetition** of the theme of disobedience—first, "will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother," and then, "will not hearken unto them" even after chastening—forcefully highlights the persistent, unyielding, and uncorrectable nature of the son's defiance. This repetition stresses that this is not a one-time transgression but an entrenched pattern of behavior that has resisted all attempts at correction. Furthermore, an implicit **Antithesis** is present, contrasting the expected filial obedience and responsiveness to parental instruction with the son's profound and uncorrectable rebellion, thereby underscoring the extreme gravity of the breakdown in the natural, divinely ordained order of the family.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 21:18, while addressing a specific and severe legal case within ancient Israel, resonates with profound and enduring theological truths about authority, order, and the dire consequences of unrepentant rebellion. It powerfully reflects God's meticulous design for hierarchical order within creation, beginning with the foundational unit of the family, and the serious implications when that divine order is fundamentally disrupted. The law underscores that parental authority is not merely a human construct but is divinely ordained, and persistent defiance against it is therefore not merely a social problem but a grave moral and spiritual one, akin to rebellion against God's established structures. This principle extends far beyond the confines of the family to the broader covenant community, where unchecked lawlessness and rebellion, even starting within the home, can inevitably lead to widespread societal decay and a fracturing of the covenant relationship with God. The severity of the prescribed punishment in the full law [Deuteronomy 21:19-21](/deuteronomy/21-19-21 "Deuteronomy 21:19-21 - Judicial Process and Stoning") highlights the Israelite community's deep understanding of the profound threat such incorrigible behavior posed to their covenant fidelity with Yahweh and the very stability of their holy nation.

* [Proverbs 30:17](/proverbs/30-17 "Proverbs 30:17 - Consequences of Disrespecting Parents")
* [Romans 1:28-32](/romans/1-28-32 "Romans 1:28-32 - God's Judgment on Depravity and Disobedience")
* [Ephesians 6:1-3](/ephesians/6-1-3 "Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children, Obey Your Parents in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific judicial measures outlined in the full passage [Deuteronomy 21:18-21](/deuteronomy/21-18-21 "Deuteronomy 21:18-21 - The Stubborn and Rebellious Son") are part of ancient Israel's unique covenant law and are not directly applied in contemporary societies, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant and spiritually nourishing for families and communities today. This passage serves as a stark and powerful reminder of the enduring value God places on parental authority and the critical importance of filial respect and obedience for the health and flourishing of both the family unit and society at large. It calls parents to diligent, consistent, and loving discipline, instruction, and nurturing, recognizing their God-given role as primary educators and spiritual guides in shaping their children's character and faith. For children and young adults, it underscores the spiritual and practical dangers of persistent rebellion, urging them to humility, responsiveness to loving correction, and honor for those God has placed in authority over them. Ultimately, this ancient law challenges all of us to critically consider how our individual obedience or disobedience to established authority—whether parental, civil, or divine—impacts the broader fabric of our communities, our personal integrity, and, most importantly, our relationship with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do modern societies struggle with the breakdown of parental authority, and what might be the long-term societal and spiritual consequences of this trend?**
* **How can parents today effectively "chasten" and instruct their children in a way that encourages genuine obedience, respect, and character formation, without resorting to the extreme measures of ancient law?**
* **What is the crucial difference between a child's occasional disobedience or youthful folly and the "stubborn and rebellious" pattern described in this verse, and how should these distinct behaviors be addressed differently by parents and the community?**
* **How does the community's mandated role in addressing severe family breakdown, as seen in the involvement of the city elders, inform our understanding of communal responsibility and support for families today?**

### FAQ
**Was this law commonly enforced in ancient Israel, or was it primarily an extreme deterrent?**

Answer: Biblical scholars generally agree that the law concerning the stubborn and rebellious son was likely an extreme deterrent rather than a commonly enforced statute in ancient Israel. There are no historical accounts, archaeological findings, or rabbinic traditions that suggest widespread or frequent application of this law. Its inclusion in the Deuteronomic Code served primarily to underscore the profound and non-negotiable importance of parental authority and the absolute necessity of the family unit's stability to the Israelite society. The stringent requirements for its application—involving the unanimous testimony of both parents, a demonstrated pattern of persistent defiance even after repeated chastening, and a public trial before the city elders at the city gate [Deuteronomy 21:19-20](/deuteronomy/21-19-20 "Deuteronomy 21:19-20 - Trial before Elders")—made it exceptionally difficult to invoke. It represented a last resort for an incorrigible case that threatened the very fabric of the covenant community, emphasizing the extreme gravity of unrepentant rebellion against divinely ordained order and the foundational structures of society.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 21:18 describes a severe legal provision within the Old Covenant, designed to address the most extreme forms of filial rebellion, it ultimately points with profound spiritual insight to the pervasive rebellion of fallen humanity against God and the radical, redemptive solution found exclusively in Jesus Christ. The "stubborn and rebellious son" is a vivid and poignant type of fallen humanity, inherently disobedient to the voice of its Heavenly Father, refusing to "hearken" or respond even after divine chastening and instruction delivered through the Law, the prophets, and the very created order. Humanity's persistent defiance, as described in [Romans 3:10-18](/romans/3-10-18 "Romans 3:10-18 - No One Is Righteous"), reveals a deep-seated spiritual rebellion and an incorrigible heart that no amount of external discipline or instruction could truly rectify. However, in stark and glorious contrast to the rebellious son, Jesus Christ is the perfectly obedient Son, who always did the will of His Father [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father") and perfectly honored His earthly parents. He perfectly fulfilled the law's righteous demands, including the spirit of obedience to all legitimate authority, and through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He bore the full penalty for humanity's stubborn and rebellious heart. His death and resurrection offer a miraculous pathway for spiritual adoption, transforming rebellious hearts into obedient, beloved children of God through faith in Him [Galatians 4:4-7](/galatians/4-4-7 "Galatians 4:4-7 - Adoption as Sons"). Thus, where the law exposed the incurable nature of human rebellion and the just consequences, Christ provides the divine cure, offering reconciliation, forgiveness, and the supernatural power to live a new life of filial obedience and worship to God [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 20:12

¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Leviticus 19:3

Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I [am] the LORD your God.

Amos 4:11

I have overthrown [some] of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

Amos 4:12

Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: [and] because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

Hebrews 12:9

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Isaiah 1:2

¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.