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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm" title="Deuteronomy 21:6">◄</a> Deuteronomy 21:7 <a href="/deuteronomy/21-8.htm" title="Deuteronomy 21:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div 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 />and they shall declare: &#8220Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then they must say, ‘Our hands did not shed this person’s blood, nor did we see it happen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and they shall testify, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it shed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they shall declare, “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen <i>it</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then they shall answer and say, ‘Our hands have not shed this blood, nor have our eyes seen <i>it.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they shall respond and say, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see <i>who did.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and they shall answer and say, &#8216Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and they shall answer and say, ‘Our hands have not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see <i>it.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and they shall answer and say, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see <i>it</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and they shall respond, and say, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will declare, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood; our eyes did not see it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will declare, &#8216Our hands did not shed this blood; our eyes did not see it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and say, "We had no part in this murder, and we don't know who did it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then they must make this formal statement: "We didn't commit this murder, and we didn't witness it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and say, 'We did not murder this one, and we do not know who did it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />and they are to make this declaration: 'Our hands didn't shed this blood, nor were we witnesses to the crime. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then they must proclaim, "Our hands have not spilled this blood, nor have we witnessed the crime.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and they shall answer and say, "Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they shall declare, “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They shall answer and say, “Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they have answered and said, Our hands have not shed this blood, and our eyes have not seen—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they have answered and said, Our hands have not shed this blood, and our eyes have not seen -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they answered and said, Our hands poured not out this blood, and our eyes saw not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And shall say: Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they shall say: ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and shall declare, “Our hands did not shed this blood, and our eyes did not see the deed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and they shall declare: “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor were we witnesses to it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen the victim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they shall answer and they shall say: 'Our hand has not shed this blood and our eyes have not seen.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they shall speak and say: 'Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, and our eyes have not seen <i>it</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/21-7.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=5743" 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">6</span>Then all the elders of the city nearest the victim shall wash their hands by the stream over the heifer whose neck has been broken, <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: wə·‘ā·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To answer, respond.">and they shall declare,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏê·nū (N-fdc:: 1cp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">“Our hands</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.">did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: šå̄·p̄ə·ḵå̄h (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">shed</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: had·dām (Art:: N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">blood,</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.">nor did</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: wə·‘ê·nê·nū (Conj-w:: N-cdc:: 1cp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">our eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">see it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Accept this atonement, O LORD, for Your people Israel whom You have redeemed, and do not hold the shedding of innocent blood against them.” And the bloodshed will be atoned for.…<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/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33-34</a></span><br />Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. / Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></span><br />Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-12.htm">Psalm 19:12-13</a></span><br />Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. / Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/26-9.htm">1 Samuel 26:9-11</a></span><br />But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can extend a hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” / David added, “As surely as the LORD lives, the LORD Himself will strike him down; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. / But the LORD forbid that I should extend my hand against the LORD’s anointed. Instead, take the spear and water jug by his head, and let us go.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-28.htm">2 Samuel 3:28-29</a></span><br />Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. / May it whirl over the head of Joab and over the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-31.htm">1 Kings 2:31-33</a></span><br />And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15-16</a></span><br />When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. / Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-34.htm">Jeremiah 2:34-35</a></span><br />Moreover, your skirts are stained with the blood of the innocent poor, though you did not find them breaking in. But in spite of all these things / you say, ‘I am innocent. Surely His anger will turn from me.’ Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Ezekiel 18:20</a></span><br />The soul who sins is the one who will die. A son will not bear the iniquity of his father, and a father will not bear the iniquity of his son. The righteousness of the righteous man will fall upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will fall upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-2.htm">Hosea 4:2-3</a></span><br />Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. / Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Matthew 27:24</a></span><br />When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Acts 18:6</a></span><br />But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-26.htm">Acts 20:26</a></span><br />Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-25.htm">Romans 3:25-26</a></span><br />God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. / He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-4.htm">1 Corinthians 4:4</a></span><br />My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/5-19.htm">Numbers 5:19-28</a></b></br> And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness <i>with another</i> instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/16-8.htm">2 Samuel 16:8</a></b></br> The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou <i>art taken</i> in thy mischief, because thou <i>art</i> a bloody man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/21-21.htm">Job 21:21-23</a></b></br> For what pleasure <i>hath</i> he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/19-13.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-11.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Shed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-9.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/21-8.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-8.htm">Death</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-16.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-9.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-10.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-26.htm">Shed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-8.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-19.htm">Work</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>and they shall declare</b><br>This phrase refers to the elders of the city nearest to where a slain person is found. In the context of ancient Israel, the elders held significant authority and responsibility for maintaining justice and righteousness within their community. Their declaration is a formal statement, emphasizing the importance of communal accountability and the pursuit of justice. This reflects the broader biblical principle of leaders being accountable for the spiritual and moral state of their people, as seen in passages like <a href="/ezekiel/34.htm">Ezekiel 34:1-10</a>.<p><b>Our hands did not shed this blood</b><br>The elders assert their innocence in the matter of the unsolved murder. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that God holds individuals and communities accountable for bloodshed, as seen in <a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5-6</a>. The declaration of innocence is a necessary step in the ritual of atonement, which involves the sacrifice of a heifer. This ritual highlights the seriousness with which God views the shedding of innocent blood and the need for atonement to restore purity and justice to the land.<p><b>nor did our eyes see it</b><br>This part of the declaration emphasizes that the elders had no knowledge or involvement in the crime. It reflects the biblical requirement for witnesses in establishing guilt, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>. The absence of witnesses or knowledge of the crime necessitates a communal act of atonement to remove the guilt of innocent blood from the land. This principle of requiring witnesses is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of the need for witnesses in matters of church discipline (<a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a>).<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 representatives of the city who are responsible for making judgments and decisions on behalf of the community. In the context of <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/21.htm">Deuteronomy 21</a>, they play a crucial role in the ritual of atonement for an unsolved murder.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests,_the_sons_of_levi.htm">Priests, the sons of Levi</a></b><br>The Levitical priests are involved in the ritual process, as they are the ones who minister before the Lord and are responsible for spiritual matters, including atonement and purification.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nearest_city.htm">The Nearest City</a></b><br>This refers to the city closest to where an unsolved murder has occurred. The elders of this city are responsible for performing the ritual to atone for the bloodshed.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heifer.htm">The Heifer</a></b><br>A young cow that has not been worked or yoked, used in the ritual of atonement. It is brought to a valley with running water and its neck is broken as part of the ceremony.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_valley_with_running_water.htm">The Valley with Running Water</a></b><br>A specific location where the ritual takes place. The running water symbolizes cleansing and life, and the valley is a place set apart for this solemn act.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_life.htm">The Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>The ritual underscores the value God places on human life and the seriousness of bloodshed. It reminds us to uphold the sanctity of life in our communities and personal lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The involvement of the city's elders highlights the communal responsibility for justice and righteousness. We are called to be active participants in maintaining justice and addressing wrongs in our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_atonement.htm">The Need for Atonement</a></b><br>The ritual points to the necessity of atonement for sin and wrongdoing. It foreshadows the ultimate atonement through Christ, encouraging us to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_cleansing.htm">Symbolism of Cleansing</a></b><br>The use of running water in the ritual symbolizes cleansing and renewal. This invites us to reflect on the cleansing power of God's grace in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_leadership.htm">Role of Leadership</a></b><br>The elders' role in the ritual emphasizes the importance of godly leadership. Leaders are called to act justly and guide their communities in accordance with God's laws.<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_'eye_for_an_eye'_mean.htm">What does 'eye for an eye' mean biblically?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_jephthah's_act_condemned.htm">Judges 11:34-39: If Jephthah's daughter was actually sacrificed, why is there no explicit condemnation of this act elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'eye_for_eye'_conflict_with_forgiveness.htm">Exodus 21:22-25 describes 'eye for eye' justice; does this literal approach to retribution conflict with later biblical injunctions on forgiveness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_leads_your_heart_to_truth.htm">What does the Bible say about aging?</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">Verses 7, 8.</span> - This act they were to accompany with a solemn declaration of their innocence of this crime, and of their entire ignorance of the perpetrator of it; and with an earnest cry to God that the sin which had been done might be forgiven. <span class="cmt_word">Be merciful... unto</span>; <span class="accented">be propitiated</span> towards (literally, <span class="accented">cover</span>, <span class="hebrew">כַּפֵּר לְעַמְך</span>; for the phrase, <span class="hebrew">כַּפֵר לְ</span>, see <a href="/leviticus/1-4.htm">Leviticus 1:4</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And lay not innocent blood</span>; the blood of the innocent man who has been slain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/21-7.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">and they shall declare,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָנ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Our hands</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדֵ֗ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֤א</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">shed</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׁפְכוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(šā·p̄ə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blood,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(had·dām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nor did</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</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">our eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵינֵ֖ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ê·nê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">see it.</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאֽוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Deuteronomy 21:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 21:7 And they shall answer and say Our (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 21:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 21:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 21:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 21:8" /></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>