Deuteronomy 21:20
New International Version
They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”

New Living Translation
The parents must say to the elders, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious and refuses to obey. He is a glutton and a drunkard.’

English Standard Version
and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’

Berean Standard Bible
and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”

King James Bible
And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

New King James Version
And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’

New American Standard Bible
And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us, he is thoughtless and given to drinking.’

NASB 1995
“They shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey us, he is a glutton and a drunkard.’

NASB 1977
“And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey us, he is a glutton and a drunkard.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not listen to our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’

Amplified Bible
They shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey us, he is a glutton and a drunkard.’

Christian Standard Bible
They will say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he doesn’t obey us. He’s a glutton and a drunkard.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They will say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he doesn’t obey us. He’s a glutton and a drunkard.’

American Standard Version
and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

Contemporary English Version
The parents will tell the leaders, "This son of ours is stubborn and never obeys. He spends all his time drinking and partying."

English Revised Version
and they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a riotous liver, and a drunkard.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They will say to the leaders of the city, "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He won't obey us. He eats too much and is a drunk."

Good News Translation
They are to say to them, 'Our son is stubborn and rebellious and refuses to obey us; he wastes money and is a drunkard.'

International Standard Version
Then they are to declare to the elders of their city: 'Our son is stubborn and rebellious. He does not obey us. He lives wildly and is a drunkard.'

Majority Standard Bible
and say to the elders, ?This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.?

NET Bible
They must declare to the elders of his city, "Our son is stubborn and rebellious and pays no attention to what we say--he is a glutton and drunkard."

New Heart English Bible
and they shall tell the elders of his city, "This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they shall say to the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

World English Bible
They shall tell the elders of his city, “This our son is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey our voice. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and have said to [the] elderly of his city, Our son—this one—is apostatizing and being rebellious; he is not listening to our voice—a glutton and drunkard.

Young's Literal Translation
and have said unto the elders of his city, Our son -- this one -- is apostatizing and rebellious; he is not hearkening to our voice -- a glutton and drunkard;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they said to the old men of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he heard not to our voice; he is vile, and drinking to excess.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And shall say to them: This our son is rebellious and stubborn, he slighteth hearing our admonitions, he giveth himself to revelling, and to debauchery and banquetings:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they shall say to them: ‘This our son is reckless and disobedient. He shows contempt when listening to our admonitions. He occupies himself with carousing, and self-indulgence, and feasting.’

New American Bible
where they shall say to the elders of the city, “This son of ours is a stubborn and rebellious fellow who will not listen to us; he is a glutton and a drunkard.”

New Revised Standard Version
They shall say to the elders of his town, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they shall say to the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he does not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they will say to the Elders of his town: 'This our son rebels and is rebellious and does not listen to our voice, and is a glutton and a drunkard'.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and they shall say unto the elders of his city: 'This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he doth not hearken to our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and they shall say to the men of their city, This our son is disobedient and contentious, he hearkens not to our voice, he is a reveler and a drunkard.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Rebellious Son
19his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, 20and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21Then all the men of his city will stone him to death. So you must purge the evil from among you, and all Israel will hear and be afraid.…

Cross References
Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to his death.

Proverbs 23:13-14
Do not withhold discipline from a child; although you strike him with a rod, he will not die. / Strike him with a rod, and you will deliver his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 30:17
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

Exodus 21:15
Whoever strikes his father or mother must surely be put to death.

Leviticus 20:9
If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother; his blood shall be upon him.

Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

1 Samuel 2:25
If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.

Proverbs 29:15
A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.

Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Romans 1:30
slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.

2 Timothy 3:2
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,


Treasury of Scripture

And they shall say to the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

he will not

Proverbs 29:17
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

he is a glutton

Proverbs 19:26
He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 23:19-21,29-35
Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way…

Jump to Previous
Apostatizing Attention City Drink Drunkard Elders Hard-Hearted Hearken Hearkeneth Hearkening Obey Ours Pleasure Profligate Rebellious Strong Stubborn Uncontrolled Unmanageable Voice
Jump to Next
Apostatizing Attention City Drink Drunkard Elders Hard-Hearted Hearken Hearkeneth Hearkening Obey Ours Pleasure Profligate Rebellious Strong Stubborn Uncontrolled Unmanageable Voice
Deuteronomy 21
1. The Atonement for an Unsolved Murder
10. The usage of a captive taken to wife
15. The firstborn is not to be disinherited upon private affection
18. A rebellious son is to be stoned to death
22. The malefactor must not hang all night on a tree














They shall say to the elders
In ancient Israelite society, the elders held positions of authority and were responsible for maintaining order and justice within the community. The Hebrew word for "elders" is "זְקֵנִים" (zeqenim), which refers to those who are mature in age and wisdom. This phrase indicates a formal process of bringing a matter before the community leaders, emphasizing the importance of communal involvement in addressing serious family issues. It reflects the biblical principle of accountability and the role of community in upholding God's laws.

This son of ours
The phrase "this son of ours" personalizes the issue, highlighting the familial relationship and the deep sense of disappointment and responsibility felt by the parents. In Hebrew culture, family was central to identity and social structure. The use of "ours" underscores the collective nature of family honor and the shared burden of a child's behavior. It also reflects the biblical theme of parental authority and the expectation of children to honor their parents, as outlined in the Ten Commandments.

is stubborn and rebellious
The Hebrew words for "stubborn" (סוֹרֵר, sorer) and "rebellious" (מוֹרֶה, moreh) convey a sense of persistent defiance and refusal to submit to authority. This description goes beyond occasional disobedience, indicating a pattern of behavior that disrupts family and societal harmony. In the biblical context, rebellion against parental authority was seen as a serious offense, as it mirrored rebellion against God. This phrase serves as a warning about the spiritual and social consequences of unchecked defiance.

he does not obey us
Obedience to parents is a fundamental biblical principle, rooted in the commandment to "honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12). The Hebrew verb "שָׁמַע" (shama) means "to hear" or "to listen," implying not just auditory reception but active compliance. This phrase highlights the breakdown of communication and respect within the family unit, which was considered a grave matter in Israelite society. It underscores the importance of obedience as a reflection of one's relationship with God.

He is a glutton and a drunkard
The terms "glutton" (זוֹלֵל, zolel) and "drunkard" (סֹבֵא, sobe) describe a lifestyle of excess and lack of self-control. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such behavior was not only personally destructive but also brought shame upon the family and community. Gluttony and drunkenness are often associated with moral decay and spiritual waywardness in the Bible. This phrase serves as a caution against indulgence and the importance of self-discipline, aligning with the biblical call to live a life of moderation and holiness.

Verse 20. - He will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. Gluttony and drunkenness were regarded by the Hebrews as highly criminal. The word rendered by "glutton," however (זולַל, from זָלַל, to shake, to shake out, to squander), includes other kinds of excess besides eating. It designates one who is prodigal, who wastes his means or wastes his person by indulgence. In Proverbs 23:30, the whole phrase (זולְלֵי בָּשָׂר) is given - squanderers of flesh, i.e. wasters of their own body, debauchees. In Proverbs 28:7, the word is translated "riotous men" in the Authorized Version. Disobedience to parents was deemed an offense, which struck at the roots of the whole social institute.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and say
וְאָמְר֞וּ (wə·’ā·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the elders,
זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

“This
זֶה֙ (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

son of ours
בְּנֵ֤נוּ (bə·nê·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1121: A son

is stubborn
סוֹרֵ֣ר (sō·w·rêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5637: To turn away, be refractory

and rebellious;
וּמֹרֶ֔ה (ū·mō·reh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4784: To be contentious or rebellious

he does not
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ (’ê·nen·nū)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

obey us.
שֹׁמֵ֖עַ (šō·mê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

He is a glutton
זוֹלֵ֖ל (zō·w·lêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2151: To shake, to quake, to be loose morally, worthless, prodigal

and a drunkard.”
וְסֹבֵֽא׃ (wə·sō·ḇê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5435: A drink, liquor


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 21:20 And they shall tell the elders (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 21:19
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