Deuteronomy 21:19

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shall his father {H1} and his mother {H517} lay hold {H8610} on him, and bring him out {H3318} unto the elders {H2205} of his city {H5892}, and unto the gate {H8179} of his place {H4725};

Complete Jewish Bible

then his father and mother are to take hold of him and bring him out to the leaders of his town, at the gate of that place,

Berean Standard Bible

his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown,

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 21:19 outlines the initial procedural step for parents dealing with a "stubborn and rebellious son" within ancient Israelite society. This verse mandates that the parents must physically apprehend their son and bring him to the city's elders, specifically at the city gate, to initiate a formal legal process. This act underscores the gravity of the offense, the parents' responsibility in upholding communal order, and the public nature of justice in the Mosaic Law, emphasizing that such egregious familial rebellion was a matter for the entire community to address.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 21:19 is situated within a diverse collection of laws in Deuteronomy 21, immediately following regulations concerning unsolved murders and atonement (`/deuteronomy/21-1-9 "Deuteronomy 21:1-9 - Atonement for Unsolved Murder"`), marriage with female captives (`/deuteronomy/21-10-14 "Deuteronomy 21:10-14 - Marriage with Captives"`), and inheritance rights for the firstborn son (`/deuteronomy/21-15-17 "Deuteronomy 21:15-17 - Rights of the Firstborn"`). The specific law regarding the stubborn and rebellious son is detailed in [Deuteronomy 21:18-21](/deuteronomy/21-18-21 "Deuteronomy 21:18-21 - The Stubborn and Rebellious Son"), forming a distinct legal unit. This statute directly precedes the law concerning one who is hanged on a tree (`/deuteronomy/21-22-23 "Deuteronomy 21:22-23 - One Hanged on a Tree"`), a passage of immense theological significance due to its profound fulfillment in the New Testament. The placement of this law within a broader collection of civil and criminal statutes highlights the Israelite understanding of family integrity as foundational to societal well-being and a matter of public concern, not merely a private affair.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the family, often referred to as the _bet 'av_ ("father's house"), constituted the foundational unit of society. It served as the primary institution for economic activity, religious instruction, and the transmission of social identity. Parental authority was divinely ordained and held in exceptionally high regard, explicitly enshrined in the Decalogue's command to [honor one's father and mother](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment"). A son who was habitually disobedient, a glutton, and a drunkard (as further described in [Deuteronomy 21:20](/deuteronomy/21-20 "Deuteronomy 21:20 - Charges Against the Rebellious Son")) was not merely a personal disappointment but represented a grave threat to the family's honor, its economic stability, and the community's moral fabric. The "elders of his city" (_ziqnei ha'ir_) were the local judicial and administrative authorities, typically respected older men responsible for upholding justice and order. The "gate of his place" (_sha'ar meqomo_) refers to the city gate, which functioned as the primary public square where legal proceedings, business transactions, and public announcements took place. This public setting, as exemplified in accounts like [Ruth 4:1-12](/ruth/4-1-12 "Ruth 4:1-12 - Boaz at the City Gate"), ensured transparency, community oversight, and the communal affirmation of judicial decisions in serious matters.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as an integral part of the larger law concerning the rebellious son, contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It underscores the **paramount importance of obedience and respect for authority**, particularly parental authority, which was seen as a reflection of respect for God's own sovereign authority. The law highlights **parental responsibility**, placing the onus on the parents to initiate this serious legal process, thereby demonstrating their ultimate duty to the community's moral order and their child's conduct. Furthermore, the involvement of the elders and the public setting at the city gate emphasize the theme of **communal justice and accountability**, illustrating that serious family issues were not solely private matters but impacted the broader society and required public adjudication. Finally, the prescribed formal legal procedure, rather than allowing parents to take matters into their own hands, demonstrates the theme of **due process** within the Mosaic Law, ensuring that accusations were brought before established authorities and heard publicly, even in cases of severe offenses.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lay hold (Hebrew, _tâphas'_):** From H8610, this verb means "to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably." In this context, it signifies a forceful and decisive action by the parents, suggesting that the son's rebellion is so severe that he is beyond their direct control and must be physically apprehended. It implies a necessary, perhaps even reluctant, act of parental authority to enforce the law and protect the community from his incorrigible behavior.
* **elders (Hebrew, _zâqên'_):** From H2205, this term refers to "old; aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator." These were the respected, older men who constituted the local judicial and administrative council. The parents bringing their son to the elders signifies that the matter has escalated beyond familial discipline to a communal legal concern requiring formal, impartial judgment by those entrusted with upholding justice and moral standards.
* **gate (Hebrew, _shaʻar'_):** From H8179, this word denotes "an opening, i.e., door or gate." The city gate was far more than a mere entrance; it was the vibrant hub of public life, serving as the marketplace, social gathering point, and, crucially, the court of law. Legal proceedings were conducted here publicly, ensuring transparency and community involvement in the administration of justice. Bringing the son to the gate underscored the public nature of his offense and the communal responsibility for upholding the law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall his father and his mother":** This clause emphasizes the joint responsibility and unified action of both parents. It is not solely the father's prerogative but a shared, solemn duty. This unity underscores the severity of the son's rebellion, as it has alienated both parents to the point of seeking external, communal intervention.
* **"lay hold on him":** This phrase denotes a physical act of apprehension, suggesting that the son is unwilling to comply or submit to parental authority. It highlights the son's extreme defiance and the parents' desperate measure to bring him before the authorities, indicating a complete breakdown of normal familial authority and discipline.
* **"and bring him out unto the elders of his city":** This signifies the formal initiation of the legal process. The parents are not executing judgment themselves but are submitting the case to the established legal authorities. The "elders" represent the community's judicial body, ensuring that the matter is handled according to law and not personal vendetta, emphasizing due process.
* **"and unto the gate of his place":** This specifies the public venue for the legal proceedings. The city gate served as the court, ensuring that the trial was conducted openly before the community. This public exposure served as a deterrent and reinforced the communal nature of justice and the seriousness of the son's offense against both family and societal order.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 21:19 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The passage functions as a **Legal Formula**, presenting a precise, step-by-step procedure for addressing a specific transgression, characteristic of the Deuteronomic code's emphasis on legal order and societal structure. The phrase "lay hold on him" acts as a vivid **Metonymy** for the parents' ultimate and desperate act of relinquishing their direct authority to the community's legal system, signifying that the son's rebellion has exceeded the bounds of domestic discipline. The "gate of his place" serves as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical location but the public sphere of justice, communal accountability, and the very fabric of Israelite society. Its mention immediately invokes the idea of public scrutiny and formal legal process, underscoring that the son's actions are not merely private family matters but an affront to the entire community and its divinely ordained order. The severity of the prescribed action also creates a sense of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the ultimate, dire consequences detailed in the subsequent verses for such incorrigible behavior, thereby emphasizing the gravity of rebellion against parental and societal authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 21:19 is a stark illustration of God's profound concern for order, authority, and justice within the family and community. It underscores the divine institution of parental authority as a foundational pillar of society, reflecting God's own sovereign rule. The law demonstrates that unchecked rebellion and lawlessness, even within the family unit, are not to be tolerated, as they threaten the very fabric of a covenant community. The public nature of the trial at the city gate highlights the communal responsibility for upholding righteousness and the principle that sin, especially persistent rebellion, has wider societal implications. While the specific legal outcome of this law is severe, the underlying theological principle emphasizes the gravity of persistent disobedience and the necessity of accountability before God and man. It speaks to the importance of diligent parenting, communal vigilance, and the absolute necessity of submission to legitimate authority for the flourishing of God's people.

* [Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment")
* [Proverbs 29:15](/proverbs/29-15 "Proverbs 29:15 - The Rod and Reproof")
* [Ephesians 6:1-3](/ephesians/6-1-3 "Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children Obey Your Parents")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 21:19, while part of an ancient legal code with specific cultural applications, offers profound principles for contemporary reflection. It reminds us that parental authority is a sacred trust, divinely instituted for the well-being and moral formation of children. The extreme measure described in this verse, though not literally applied today, underscores the immense spiritual and societal damage caused by persistent, unrepentant rebellion against legitimate authority. For parents, it calls for a diligent commitment to teaching, discipling, and, when necessary, disciplining their children, recognizing that their role is to guide them towards obedience to God and respect for others. For communities, it highlights the importance of supporting families, upholding moral standards, and providing structures for accountability and restorative justice where possible. Ultimately, this passage challenges us to consider the seriousness with which God views rebellion and disorder, urging us towards a life of submission, respect, and communal responsibility, recognizing that our individual choices have ripple effects throughout the body of Christ and society at large.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge modern notions of parental responsibility and authority?**
* **In what ways can a community today support families struggling with rebellious children, reflecting the spirit of communal justice?**
* **What are the contemporary "city gates" where matters of justice and accountability are publicly addressed, and what is the believer's role there?**
* **How does the severity of this ancient law inform our understanding of the seriousness of rebellion against God's commands?**

### FAQ
**Was the law concerning the stubborn and rebellious son commonly enforced in ancient Israel?**

Answer: While the law is explicitly stated in Deuteronomy, there is no direct biblical evidence or extra-biblical historical record to suggest that the execution of a "stubborn and rebellious son" was a common practice, or even occurred at all. Many scholars believe this law, like some other severe penalties in the Mosaic Code, served primarily as a deterrent and a powerful statement about the gravity of such an offense against family and societal order. It underscored the absolute necessity of parental authority and communal responsibility, rather than being a frequently enacted punishment. Its purpose was to instill fear of God and respect for the established order, emphasizing that persistent, incorrigible rebellion was an affront that could lead to the ultimate removal from the covenant community. The detailed procedure, involving both parents and the elders at the city gate, suggests a high threshold for conviction, ensuring due process and communal consensus before such a drastic measure could be considered. This law highlights the seriousness of rebellion and the importance of parental and communal authority, rather than prescribing a common judicial outcome.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 21:19, with its depiction of a son brought to public judgment for rebellion, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, though in an inverse and redemptive way. While the law addresses the rebellious son, Christ is the perfectly obedient Son, who always did the will of His Father, even to the point of death on a cross (`/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does the Father's Will"`). He was "brought out" to the elders and rulers, not for His own rebellion, but as the innocent Lamb of God, to be judged and condemned by a rebellious humanity (`/john/18-28 "John 18:28 - Jesus Brought to Pilate"`). The public spectacle at the city gate (or outside it, at Golgotha) where the rebellious son was to be judged foreshadows the ultimate public judgment of Christ, who bore the curse of the law (`/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law"`) for humanity's rebellion. In His perfect obedience, Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law, offering Himself as the substitute for all who are spiritually stubborn and rebellious against God (`/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Through One Man's Obedience"`). Thus, the law concerning the rebellious son, while highlighting the severity of sin, ultimately points to the necessity of a perfectly obedient Son who would bear the judgment for our disobedience, offering reconciliation and new life to all who believe (`/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - He Who Knew No Sin"`).

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

Zechariah 13:3

And it shall come to pass, [that] when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

Deuteronomy 25:7

And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.

Deuteronomy 21:2

Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which [are] round about him that is slain:

Deuteronomy 16:18

¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.