Deuteronomy 22:6
New International Version
If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.

New Living Translation
“If you happen to find a bird’s nest in a tree or on the ground, and there are young ones or eggs in it with the mother sitting in the nest, do not take the mother with the young.

English Standard Version
“If you come across a bird’s nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young.

Berean Standard Bible
If 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.

King James Bible
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:

New King James Version
“If a bird’s nest happens to be before you along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, with the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;

New American Standard Bible
“If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs in it, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;

NASB 1995
“If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;

NASB 1977
“If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;

Legacy Standard Bible
“If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young;

Amplified Bible
“If you happen to come upon a bird’s nest along the road, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the mother [bird] is sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young.

Christian Standard Bible
“If 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, do not take the mother along with the young.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If 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.

American Standard Version
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:

English Revised Version
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whenever you're traveling and find a nest containing chicks or eggs, this is what you must do. If the mother bird is sitting on the nest, never take her with the chicks.

Good News Translation
"If you happen to find a bird's nest in a tree or on the ground with the mother bird sitting either on the eggs or with her young, you are not to take the mother bird.

International Standard Version
"When you encounter a bird's nest along the road, whether in a tree or on the ground, and the mother bird is sitting on its chicks or eggs, don't take the mother along with its young.

Majority Standard Bible
If 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.

NET Bible
If you happen to notice a bird's nest along the road, whether in a tree or on the ground, and there are chicks or eggs with the mother bird sitting on them, you must not take the mother from the young.

New Heart English Bible
If a bird's nest chance to be before you in the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the hen sitting on the young, or on the eggs, you shall not take the hen with the young:

Webster's Bible Translation
If a bird's nest shall chance to be before thee in the way on any tree, or on the ground, whether with young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:

World English Bible
If you come across a bird’s nest on the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the hen sitting on the young, or on the eggs, you shall not take the hen with the young.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When a bird’s nest comes before you in the way, in any tree, or on the earth, [with] brood or eggs, and the mother is sitting on the brood or on the eggs, you do not take the mother with the young ones;

Young's Literal Translation
'When a bird's nest cometh before thee in the way, in any tree, or on the earth, brood or eggs, and the mother sitting on the brood or on the eggs, thou dost not take the mother with the young ones;

Smith's Literal Translation
When a bird's nest shall be found before thee in the way in any tree or upon the earth, the young broods or the eggs, and the mother reclining upon the young birds, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the mother upon the sons.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If thou find as thou walkest by the way, a bird's nest in a tree, or on the ground, and the dam sitting upon the young or upon the eggs: thou shalt not take her with her young:

Catholic Public Domain Version
If, as you are walking along the way, you find a bird’s nest, in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is nurturing the young or the eggs, you shall not take her with her young.

New American Bible
If, while walking along, you come across a bird’s nest with young birds or eggs in it, in any tree or on the ground, and the mother bird is sitting on them, you shall not take away the mother bird along with her brood.

New Revised Standard Version
If you come on a bird’s nest, in any tree or on the ground, with fledglings or eggs, with the mother sitting on the fledglings or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When you chance to find a bird's nest before you in the way in any tree, or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, you shall not take the mother with her young;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when you will find the nest of a bird before you in the way, in any tree or on the ground with chicks or young and the mother sitting on chicks or on the young, do not take the mother with her young:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if thou shouldest come upon a brood of birds before thy face in the way or upon any tree, or upon the earth, young or eggs, and the mother be brooding on the young or the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young ones.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Various Laws
5A woman must not wear men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God. 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.…

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

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.

Exodus 34:26
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.”

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

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 9:1-2
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.

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.”

Matthew 10:29
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.

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

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?

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

Psalm 104:12
The birds of the air nest beside the springs; they sing among the branches.

Psalm 147:9
He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.

Hosea 10:14
the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.

Isaiah 10:14
My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’”


Treasury of Scripture

If a bird's nest chance to be before you in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting on the young, or on the eggs, you shall not take the dam with the young:

young ones

Leviticus 12:6
And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:

thou shalt not

Genesis 8:17
Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.

Genesis 32:11
Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.

Leviticus 22:28
And whether it be cow or ewe, ye shall not kill it and her young both in one day.

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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














If you come across
The phrase suggests an incidental encounter, emphasizing the providential nature of life’s journey. In Hebrew, the word "come across" (מִקְרֶה, miqreh) implies chance or happenstance, reminding us of the divine orchestration in seemingly random events. This highlights the importance of mindfulness and ethical behavior in everyday situations.

a bird’s nest
The nest symbolizes a place of life and nurturing. In ancient Israel, birds were common and their nests were often found in trees or on the ground. The nest represents the delicate balance of nature and the responsibility humans have to protect and preserve it. This imagery calls believers to respect God’s creation and the sanctity of life.

along the way
This phrase indicates the journey of life, where one might encounter various situations requiring moral decisions. The Hebrew term "דרך" (derekh) means road or path, symbolizing life’s journey. It serves as a reminder that ethical living is not confined to specific times or places but is a constant requirement.

in any tree or on the ground
This specifies the common locations of nests, emphasizing that the command applies universally, regardless of the nest’s location. It reflects the omnipresence of God’s creation and the need for consistent ethical behavior. The mention of both tree and ground underscores the inclusivity of God’s laws.

with chicks or eggs
The presence of chicks or eggs signifies potential life and the future generation. In Hebrew culture, this represents the continuity of life and the importance of nurturing and protecting the young. It underscores the value of life at all stages and the responsibility to safeguard it.

and the mother sitting on the chicks or eggs
This image of the mother bird caring for her young highlights the natural order and maternal instinct. It reflects God’s design for creation, where the mother’s role is to protect and nurture. This serves as a metaphor for God’s care for His people and the importance of respecting familial bonds.

you must not take the mother with the young
This commandment is a call to compassion and ethical treatment of animals. The Hebrew verb "take" (לָקַח, laqach) implies seizing or capturing, which is prohibited here to prevent cruelty and ensure the survival of the species. It teaches the principle of mercy and the importance of allowing life to flourish.

(6) If a bird's nest.--On this precept there is a remarkable comment in the Talmud (Kiddushin, p. 39, b). "Rabbi Akiba says, You will not find a single duty prescribed in the Law with a promise of reward attached to it, which has not also the resurrection of the dead hanging thereby. In the command to honour thy father and mother, it is written (Deuteronomy 5) 'that thy days may be prolonged and that it may go well with thee.' In the liberty of the nest it is written (here), 'that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.' Suppose a man's father says to him, Climb up the tower and bring me the young birds. He ascends the tower, lets the dam go, and takes the young. But on his way back, he falls and is killed. Where is the 'going well 'in his case, and where is the prolonging of his days? Aye, but that it may go well with thee in the world where all goes well, and that thy days may be prolonged in that world where all is abiding."

Verses 6, 7. - (Cf. Leviticus 22:28; Exodus 23:19.) These precepts are designed to foster humane feeling towards the lower animals, and not less to preserve regard to that affectionate relation between parents and their young which God has established as a law in the animal world. That thou mayest prolong thy days (cf. Deuteronomy 5:16; Exodus 20:12).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you come across
יִקָּרֵ֣א (yiq·qā·rê)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7122: To encounter, befall

a bird’s
צִפּ֣וֹר ׀ (ṣip·pō·wr)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6833: A little bird

nest
קַן־ (qan-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7064: A nest, the nestlings, a chamber, dwelling

with chicks
אֶפְרֹחִים֙ (’ep̄·rō·ḥîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 667: The brood of a, bird

or
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

eggs,
בֵיצִ֔ים (ḇê·ṣîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1000: An egg

either in a tree
עֵ֣ץ ׀ (‘êṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

or
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the ground
הָאָ֗רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

along the road,
בַּדֶּ֜רֶךְ (bad·de·reḵ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

and the mother
וְהָאֵ֤ם (wə·hā·’êm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

is sitting
רֹבֶ֙צֶת֙ (rō·ḇe·ṣeṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the chicks
הָֽאֶפְרֹחִ֔ים (hā·’ep̄·rō·ḥîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 667: The brood of a, bird

or
א֖וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

eggs,
הַבֵּיצִ֑ים (hab·bê·ṣîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1000: An egg

you must not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

take
תִקַּ֥ח (ṯiq·qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the mother
הָאֵ֖ם (hā·’êm)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 517: A mother, )

along with
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

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


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 22:6 If a bird's nest chance to be (Deut. De Du)
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