George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:12
Hair. In mourning, people did the reverse to what they were accustomed to do in the days of joy. The men let their hair grow, the women cut this ornament of their head, a thing which the prophets often threaten, Isaias xv. 23., and Jeremias xlvii. 5, &c. (Calmet) --- Nails. Some would translate the Hebrew "she shall make her nails grow, " as a mark of sorrow, perhaps usual among the pagans faciet ungues. But the Septuagint, Philo, &c. agree with the Vulgate; (Menochius) and the... read more
George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:11
Lovest her. The Jewish doctors explain this of an action, which modesty disallows, and which they tolerate nevertheless in the first transports of victory; (Selden, Jur. v. 13,) though the pagans condemned it as unjust and contrary to reason. (Grotius, Jur. iii. 4.) --- All know with what reserve Alexander treated women; and the Romans banished one Torquatus, for having violated a prisoner of war. (Plut.) --- Yet the Jews blush not to assert, that such liberties might be taken even with married... read more