Deuteronomy 22:6

4 Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.

5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

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:

7 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.

8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
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:
WEB
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.
ASV
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:
DARBY
If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way, in any tree, or upon the ground, with young or with eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:
BLB
If the nest of a bird is encountered to your face along the way in any tree or on the ground, with chicks or eggs, and with the mother sitting on the chicks or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the sons;
ÅB
Når du på veien treffer på et fuglerede i et tre eller på jorden, med unger eller egg i, og moren ligger på ungene eller på eggene, da skal du ikke ta både moren og ungene;
OTB
Hvis du kommer over et fuglerede ved veien, i et tre eller på bakken, med moren sittende på ungene eller på eggene, skal du ikke ta moren sammen med ungene.
B1930
Når du på veien treffer på et fuglerede i et tre eller på jorden, med unger eller egg i, og moren ligger på ungene eller på eggene, da skal du ikke ta både moren og ungene;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Leviticus 22:28

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

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 12:10

    A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • Luke 12:6

    Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

    Read in context
  • Hosea 10:14

    Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

    Read in context