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id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then the elders of the town nearest the body shall take a heifer that has never been worked and has never worn a yoke<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When the nearest town has been determined, that town’s elders must select from the herd a heifer that has never been trained or yoked to a plow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the elders of the city that is nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer that has never been worked and that has not pulled in a yoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it shall be, <i>that</i> the city <i>which is</i> next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, <i>and</i> which hath not drawn in the yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And it shall be <i>that</i> the elders of the city nearest to the slain man will take a heifer which has not been worked <i>and</i> which has not pulled with a yoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And it shall be that the city which is nearest to the person killed, that is, that the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd that has not been worked and has not pulled in a yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220It shall be that the city which is nearest to the slain man, that is, the elders of that city, shall take a heifer of the herd, which has not been worked and which has not pulled in a yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And it shall be that the city which is nearest to the slain man, that is, the elders of that city, shall take a heifer of the herd, which has not been worked and which has not pulled in a yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And it shall be that the city which is nearest to the slain man, that is, the elders of that city, shall take a heifer of the herd, which has not been worked and which has not pulled in a yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />It shall be that the elders of the city which is nearest to the dead man shall take a heifer of the herd, one which has not been worked and which has not pulled in a yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of the city nearest to the victim are to get a young cow that has not been yoked or used for work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The elders of the city nearest to the victim are to get a young cow that has not been yoked or used for work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and it shall be, that the city which is nearest unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The leaders from that town will go to their cattle herds and choose a young cow that has never been put to work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and it shall be, that the city which is nearest unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer of the herd, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When it has been determined which city is nearest the body, the leaders from that city must choose a heifer that has never been put to work and never worn a yoke. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then the leaders of the town nearest to where the body was found are to select a young cow that has never been used for work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the elders of the city nearest the body are to take a heifer that hasn't been put to work or hasn't pulled a yoke <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then the elders of the city nearest to the corpse must take from the herd a heifer that has not been worked--that has never pulled with the yoke--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and it shall be, that the city which is nearest to the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd, which hasn't been worked with, and which has not drawn in the yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it shall be that the city which is next to the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It shall be that the elders of the city which is nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer of the herd, which hasn’t been worked with and which has not drawn in the yoke. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and it has been, the city which [is] near to the slain one, even [the] elderly of that city have taken a heifer of the herd, which has not been worked with, which has not drawn in a yoke,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and it hath been, the city which is near unto the slain one, even the elders of that city have taken a heifer of the herd, which hath not been wrought with, which hath not drawn in the yoke,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it was the the city being near to the wounded, and the old men of the city took a heifer of the kine which was not worked with, and drew not in the yoke:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the ancients of that city which they shall perceive to be nearer than the rest, shall take a heifer of the herd, that hath not drawn in the yoke, nor ploughed the ground, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And in whichever one they perceive to be closer than the others, the elders shall take a calf from the herd, one which has not pulled with a yoke, nor tilled with a plow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When it is established which city is nearest the corpse, the elders of that city shall take a heifer that has never been put to work or worn a yoke;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The elders of the town nearest the body shall take a heifer that has never been worked, one that has not pulled in the yoke;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the elders of the city which is nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer which has never been used for work nor has pulled in the yoke,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the city that is near him that was killed, the Elders of that city shall bring a heifer of an ox that has not pulled anything and has not pulled in a yoke;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it shall be, that the city which is nearest unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and it shall be that the city which is nearest to the slain man the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd, which has not laboured, and which has not borne a yoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=5703" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">The Atonement for an Unsolved Murder</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Then</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: ziq·nê (Adj-mpc) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">the elders</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hi·w (Art:: Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">of the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/7138.htm" title="7138: haq·qə·rō·ḇāh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Near. Or qarob; from qarab; near.">nearest</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2491.htm" title="2491: he·ḥā·lāl (Art:: N-ms) -- Pierced, polluted. From chalal; pierced; figuratively, polluted.">the victim</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wə·lā·qə·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">shall take</a> <a href="/hebrew/5697.htm" title="5697: ‘eḡ·laṯ (N-fsc) -- A heifer. Feminine of egel; a calf, especially one nearly grown.">a heifer</a> <a href="/hebrew/1241.htm" title="1241: bā·qār (N-ms) -- Cattle, herd, an ox. From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender; collectively, a herd."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">has never</a> <a href="/hebrew/5923.htm" title="5923: bə·‘ōl (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- A yoke. Or mowl; from alal; a yoke, literally or figuratively.">been yoked</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: ‘ub·baḏ (V-QalPass-Perf-3ms) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">or used for work,</a> <a href="/hebrew/bāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4900.htm" title="4900: mā·šə·ḵāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To draw, drag. A primitive root; to draw, used in a great variety of applications."></a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>bring the heifer to a valley with running water that has not been plowed or sown, and break its neck there by the stream.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Numbers 19:2</a></span><br />“This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/6-7.htm">1 Samuel 6:7</a></span><br />Now, therefore, prepare one new cart with two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/4-3.htm">Leviticus 4:3</a></span><br />If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/4-14.htm">Leviticus 4:14</a></span><br />when they become aware of the sin they have committed, then the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the Tent of Meeting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/4-23.htm">Leviticus 4:23</a></span><br />When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished male goat as his offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/4-28.htm">Leviticus 4:28</a></span><br />When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished female goat as his offering for that sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/9-2.htm">Leviticus 9:2</a></span><br />He said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-2.htm">1 Samuel 16:2</a></span><br />“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/1-33.htm">1 Kings 1:33</a></span><br />“Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/1-38.htm">1 Kings 1:38-39</a></span><br />Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. / Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">1 Kings 19:19</a></span><br />So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-2.htm">Matthew 21:2-3</a></span><br />saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to Me. / If anyone questions you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/11-2.htm">Mark 11:2-3</a></span><br />and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will return it shortly.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-30.htm">Luke 19:30-31</a></span><br />saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. / If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-14.htm">John 12:14-15</a></span><br />Finding a young donkey, Jesus sat on it, as it is written: / “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion. See, your King is coming, seated on the colt of a donkey.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it shall be, that the city which is next to the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which has not been worked with, and which has not drawn in the yoke;</p><p class="hdg">an</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Numbers 19:2</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein <i>is</i> no blemish, <i>and</i> upon which never came yoke:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Jeremiah 31:18</a></b></br> I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself <i>thus</i>; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed <i>to the yoke</i>: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou <i>art</i> the LORD my God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a></b></br> Come unto me, all <i>ye</i> that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/21-2.htm">Body</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-20.htm">City</a> <a href="/numbers/19-10.htm">Cow</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-13.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-2.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/numbers/16-29.htm">Hasn't</a> <a href="/numbers/19-17.htm">Heifer</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-2.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/numbers/27-11.htm">Nearest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-2.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-2.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-20.htm">Used</a> <a href="/james/3-4.htm">Whichever</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-11.htm">Work</a> <a href="/numbers/31-51.htm">Worked</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-4.htm">Wrought</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-21.htm">Yoke</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-16.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm">Body</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm">City</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm">Cow</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-10.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/judges/4-6.htm">Hasn't</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm">Heifer</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-4.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm">Nearest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-10.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm">Responsible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-17.htm">Used</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-11.htm">Whichever</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Work</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-18.htm">Worked</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-21.htm">Wrought</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-6.htm">Yoke</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-6.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">The Atonement for an Unsolved Murder</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-10.htm">The usage of a captive taken to wife</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">The firstborn is not to be disinherited upon private affection</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-18.htm">A rebellious son is to be stoned to death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-22.htm">The malefactor must not hang all night on a tree</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then the elders of the city nearest the victim</b><br>In ancient Israel, the elders were respected leaders responsible for maintaining justice and order. Their involvement underscores the communal responsibility for addressing sin and maintaining purity within the land. The city nearest the victim is held accountable, emphasizing the importance of community in God's covenant with Israel. This reflects the principle of collective responsibility seen in other parts of the Old Testament, such as in the story of Achan in <a href="/joshua/7.htm">Joshua 7</a>.<p><b>shall take a heifer</b><br>The heifer, a young female cow, is significant in biblical rituals. It symbolizes innocence and purity, as it has not yet been used for labor or sacrifice. The use of a heifer in this context is a form of atonement for the unsolved murder, highlighting the seriousness of bloodshed and the need for purification. This ritual is unique to Deuteronomy and reflects the broader sacrificial system established in Leviticus.<p><b>that has never been yoked or used for work</b><br>The requirement that the heifer has never been yoked or used for work signifies its purity and suitability for a sacred purpose. In biblical terms, an animal that has not been used for common labor is considered unblemished and thus appropriate for sacrifice. This mirrors the requirement for sacrificial animals in <a href="/leviticus/1-3.htm">Leviticus 1:3</a>, which must be without defect. The unyoked heifer can also be seen as a type of Christ, who was without sin and bore the burden of humanity's sins, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elders_of_the_city.htm">Elders of the City</a></b><br>These are the leaders or senior figures in the nearest city to where the victim is found. They hold responsibility for the community and are involved in the ritual described.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_victim.htm">The Victim</a></b><br>An unidentified person found dead in the open country, whose murderer is unknown. This situation prompts the ritual described in the passage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heifer.htm">The Heifer</a></b><br>A young cow that has never been yoked or used for work. It is chosen for the ritual to atone for the unsolved murder.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nearest_city.htm">The Nearest City</a></b><br>The city closest to where the victim is found. Its elders are responsible for performing the ritual to seek atonement.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ritual.htm">The Ritual</a></b><br>A ceremonial act involving the heifer, performed to atone for the bloodshed and to absolve the community of guilt.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>This passage underscores the importance of communal responsibility in addressing sin and injustice. The elders' involvement signifies that the community must take action to seek justice and atonement.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_the_heifer.htm">Symbolism of the Heifer</a></b><br>The choice of a heifer that has never been yoked symbolizes purity and innocence. This reflects the need for a pure sacrifice to atone for sin, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/atonement_and_forgiveness.htm">Atonement and Forgiveness</a></b><br>The ritual highlights the necessity of atonement for sin, a theme that runs throughout Scripture. It foreshadows the complete atonement provided by Jesus' sacrifice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_mercy.htm">Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>The passage balances the need for justice in addressing a murder with the mercy shown through the ritual, which seeks to absolve the community of guilt.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_leadership.htm">Role of Leadership</a></b><br>The involvement of the city elders demonstrates the role of leadership in guiding the community towards righteousness and ensuring that justice is pursued.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_bloodguilt_mean.htm">What does bloodguilt mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_the_colt_stay_calm_in_the_crowd.htm">In Luke 19:35-36, how could a previously unridden colt remain calm amid a jubilant crowd without any training or acclimatization? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_a_heifer_sacrifice_resolve_guilt.htm">Deuteronomy 21:1-9: How does sacrificing a heifer in a remote valley effectively resolve guilt for an unsolved murder?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_the_evidence_for_60_cities.htm">Deuteronomy 3:4 claims Israel took over 60 fortified cities--where is the archaeological evidence for such cities?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">An heifer, which hath not boon wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke</span>; a young cow which had not been rendered unfit for consecration, nor had its vital force impaired, by being subjected to forced labor (cf. <a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Numbers 19:2</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָיָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the elders</span><br /><span class="heb">זִקְנֵי֩</span> <span class="translit">(ziq·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the city</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִ֔יר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nearest</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקְּרֹבָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qə·rō·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7138.htm">Strong's 7138: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the victim</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶחָלָ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḥā·lāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pierced, polluted</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall take</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלָֽקְח֡וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lā·qə·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a heifer</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶגְלַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘eḡ·laṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5697.htm">Strong's 5697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A, calf, one nearly grown</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has never</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">been yoked</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֹֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5923.htm">Strong's 5923: </a> </span><span class="str2">A yoke</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or used for work,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֻבַּד֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ub·baḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, to serve, till, enslave</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 21:3 And it shall be that the city (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 21:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 21:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 21:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 21:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>