Deuteronomy 21:18 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A law addresses a son who rebels against both parents despite correction.
The Context of Deuteronomy 21:18
Introduction to judgment upon a persistently rebellious son.
What Does Deuteronomy 21:18 Mean?
The son's sin is described as refusal to hear his parents after they have chastened him. Chastisement—discipline—was a normal parental response; the son's sin is the refusal to respond to it with obedience. This is not childish mistake or youthful foolishness, but persistent rebellion against parental authority.
Both parents are mentioned, showing that the son's disobedience is not a quarrel with one parent but a fundamental rejection of household authority. The law assumes that discipline has been attempted and failed; this is habitual, willful defiance.
Deuteronomy 21:18 in the Original Language
sarar (סַרָר), 'stubborn'—to turn aside, rebel, be obstinate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 21:18
What does Deuteronomy 21:18 mean?
A law addresses a son who rebels against both parents despite correction.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 21:18?
Introduction to judgment upon a persistently rebellious son.