Deuteronomy 21:11 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Hast a desire unto her; or, hast cleaved to her, to wit, in love; or, hast taken delight in her; which may be a modest expression for lying with her, and seems probable, because it is said, Deuteronomy 21:14, that he had humbled her, to wit, by military insolence, when he took her captive, not after he had married her, for then he would have expressed it thus, because thou hast married her, which had been more emphatical than to say, because thou hast humbled her. And here seem to be two cases supposed, and direction given what to do in both of them:

1. That he did desire to marry her, of which he speaks Deuteronomy 21:11-13.

2. That he did not desire this, or not delight in her, of which he speaks Deuteronomy 21:14.

Deuteronomy 21:11

11 And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;