Deuteronomy 21:20 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 21:20 mean?

Deuteronomy 21:20 describes parents bringing their son before the city elders and declaring that he is stubborn, rebellious, does not obey them, and is known for being a glutton and a drunkard. This verse sets up a legal process in ancient Israel for dealing with a son whose behavior is persistently defiant and destructive.

In this setting, the parents are speaking to the elders (community leaders) at the city gate, presenting their son’s case publicly. The verse emphasizes not just disobedience but a pattern of behavior—using strong terms for stubbornness and rebellion, as well as excess in eating and drinking. This is part of a larger passage about maintaining order and responsibility within the family and community.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 21:20

• stubborn (סוֹרֵר, sorer): This word means “stubborn” or “unmanageable,” suggesting someone who persistently refuses correction, not just a single act of disobedience.
• rebellious (מוֹרֶה, moreh): This term means “rebellious” or “defiant,” highlighting a willful attitude against authority, not merely passive resistance.
• glutton (זוֹלֵל, zolel): This word means “glutton” or “one who wastes,” often used for someone who squanders resources through excessive eating or wasteful living.
• drunkard (סֹבֵא, sove): This term means “drunkard,” indicating habitual drunkenness, not just an isolated incident.

Why Deuteronomy 21:20 matters

• This verse clarifies that the law addresses ongoing, serious patterns of destructive behavior, not minor or one-time acts of disobedience.
• The involvement of the elders shows that family discipline was also a community concern, ensuring fairness and preventing abuse of parental authority.
• The language used connects this law to broader themes in Deuteronomy about honoring parents and maintaining social order, showing how individual actions affect the whole community.