Deuteronomy 22:7
New International Version
You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life.

New Living Translation
You may take the young, but let the mother go, so that you may prosper and enjoy a long life.

English Standard Version
You shall let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it may go well with you, and that you may live long.

Berean Standard Bible
You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.

King James Bible
But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.

New King James Version
you shall surely let the mother go, and take the young for yourself, that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.

New American Standard Bible
you shall certainly let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, in order that it may go well for you and that you may prolong your days.

NASB 1995
you shall certainly let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, in order that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.

NASB 1977
you shall certainly let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, in order that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.

Legacy Standard Bible
you shall certainly let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, in order that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.

Amplified Bible
You shall certainly let the mother go, but you may take the young for yourself, so that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.

Christian Standard Bible
You may take the young for yourself, but be sure to let the mother go free, so that you may prosper and live long.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You may take the young for yourself, but be sure to let the mother go free, so that you may prosper and live long.

American Standard Version
thou shalt surely let the dam go, but the young thou mayest take unto thyself; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.

English Revised Version
thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, but the young thou mayest take unto thyself; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You may take the chicks, but make sure you let the mother go. Then things will go well for you, and you will live for a long time.

Good News Translation
You may take the young birds, but you must let the mother bird go, so that you will live a long and prosperous life.

International Standard Version
You may take the young but be sure to release the mother, so that life will go well for you and that you may have a long life.

Majority Standard Bible
You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.

NET Bible
You must be sure to let the mother go, but you may take the young for yourself. Do this so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life.

New Heart English Bible
you shall surely let the hen go, but the young you may take to yourself; that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.

Webster's Bible Translation
But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.

World English Bible
You shall surely let the hen go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
you certainly send the mother away, and take the young ones for yourself, so that it is well with you and you have prolonged days.

Young's Literal Translation
thou dost certainly send away the mother, and the young ones dost take to thyself, so that it is well with thee, and thou hast prolonged days.

Smith's Literal Translation
Sending, thou shalt send away the mother, and the sons thou shalt take to thee, so that it shall be well to thee and thou prolongedst the days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But shalt let her go, keeping the young which thou hast caught: that it may be well with thee, and thou mayst live a long time.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Instead, you shall permit her to go, retaining the young that you have caught, so that it may be well with you, and you may live for a long time.

New American Bible
You must let the mother go, taking only her brood, in order that you shall prosper and have a long life.

New Revised Standard Version
Let the mother go, taking only the young for yourself, in order that it may go well with you and you may live long.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But you shall surely let the mother go, and take the young for yourself; that it may be well with you, and that you may live long.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But surely let the mother fly and her young ones take to yourself, that it may be well with you and your days may be multiplied.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, but the young thou mayest take unto thyself; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt by all means let the mother go, but thou shalt take the young to thyself; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Various Laws
6If you come across a bird’s nest with chicks or eggs, either in a tree or on the ground along the road, and the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother along with the young. 7You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days. 8If you build a new house, you are to construct a railing around your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it.…

Cross References
Exodus 23:19
Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Leviticus 22:28
But you must not slaughter an ox or a sheep on the same day as its young.

Genesis 8:17
Bring out all the living creatures that are with you—birds, livestock, and everything that crawls upon the ground—so that they can spread out over the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon it.”

Genesis 9:1-3
And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. / The fear and dread of you will fall on every living creature on the earth, every bird of the air, every creature that crawls on the ground, and all the fish of the sea. They are delivered into your hand. / Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things.

Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. / So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Genesis 1:22
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”

Genesis 2:15
Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it.

Genesis 6:19-20
And you are to bring two of every living creature into the ark—male and female—to keep them alive with you. / Two of every kind of bird and animal and crawling creature will come to you to be kept alive.

Genesis 7:3
and seven pairs of every kind of bird of the air, male and female, to preserve their offspring on the face of all the earth.

Genesis 7:14-16
they and every kind of wild animal, livestock, crawling creature, bird, and winged creature. / They came to Noah to enter the ark, two by two of every creature with the breath of life. / And they entered, the male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.

Job 38:41
Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?


Treasury of Scripture

But you shall in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to you; that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.

that it may

Deuteronomy 4:40
Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.

thou mayest

Proverbs 22:4
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

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Bird Dam Hen Live Mayest Mother Ones Order Prolong Prolonged Sure Surely Thyself Wise Young
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Bird Dam Hen Live Mayest Mother Ones Order Prolong Prolonged Sure Surely Thyself Wise Young
Deuteronomy 22
1. Of humanity toward brothers
5. The sex is to be distinguished by apparel
6. The bird is not to be taken with her young ones
8. The house must have battlements
9. Confusion is to be avoided
12. Tassels upon the vesture
13. The punishment of him who slanders his wife
22. of adultery
23. of rape
28. of fornication
30. of incest














You must let the mother go
This command reflects a deep respect for the natural order and the preservation of life. In Hebrew, the word for "let go" is "shalach," which implies sending away or releasing. This directive underscores the importance of mercy and compassion in the treatment of animals, which is a recurring theme in the Torah. By sparing the mother bird, the Israelites were reminded of the sanctity of life and the need to preserve the means of future generations. This act of mercy is not just about the animal itself but is symbolic of a broader principle of stewardship and care for God's creation.

but you may take the young for yourself
The allowance to take the young birds serves as a provision for human needs. The Hebrew word "laqach" means to take or seize, indicating that while human needs are acknowledged, they must be balanced with ethical considerations. This reflects a principle of sustainable use of resources, ensuring that while immediate needs are met, the future is not jeopardized. It teaches a lesson in moderation and responsibility, reminding the Israelites that their dominion over nature comes with the duty to protect and preserve it.

so that it may go well with you
This phrase is a common biblical expression that links obedience to God's commandments with well-being and prosperity. The Hebrew word "yatab" means to be good or well, suggesting that following God's laws leads to a harmonious and blessed life. This promise of well-being is not merely material but encompasses spiritual and communal health. It reinforces the idea that God's laws are designed for the benefit of His people, promoting a life of peace and fulfillment.

and you may prolong your days
The promise of longevity is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often associated with obedience to God's commandments. The Hebrew phrase "arak yamim" literally means to lengthen days, implying a life that is not only long but also rich in quality and purpose. This assurance of extended life serves as an incentive for the Israelites to adhere to God's laws, highlighting the connection between righteous living and divine blessing. It reflects the biblical worldview that true life is found in alignment with God's will, leading to both temporal and eternal rewards.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You may take
תִּֽקַּֽח־ (tiq·qaḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the young,
הַבָּנִ֖ים (hab·bā·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

but be sure to let the mother
הָאֵ֔ם (hā·’êm)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

go,
שַׁלֵּ֤חַ (šal·lê·aḥ)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

so that
לְמַ֙עַן֙ (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

it may be well
יִ֣יטַב (yî·ṭaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

with you
לָ֔ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and that you may prolong
וְהַאֲרַכְתָּ֖ (wə·ha·’ă·raḵ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 748: To be, long

your days.
יָמִֽים׃ (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 22:7 You shall surely let the hen go (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 22:6
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