Keraia
Deuteronomy 21

Deuteronomy 21:3

Atonement for an Unsolved Murder · Deuteronomy 21:1–9
Read Deuteronomy 21

Translations

Modern
Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work,
Traditional
And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;
Literal
And it shall be that the city nearest to the slain man, the elders of that city will take a heifer of the herd, which has not been worked in it and which has not pulled with a yoke,
Latin
…et quam viciniorem ceteris esse perspexerint, seniores civitatis illius tollent vitulam de armento, quæ non traxit jugum, nec terram scidit vomere,

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work,

Notes

Deuteronomy 21:3–8

A family member seeking revenge could not blame the entire community (19:6–7; Numbers 35:16–29).

Deuteronomy 21:1–9

The guilt of murder was usually removed through the death of the murderer (19:11–13; Numbers 35:30–34). However, if the murderer was unknown, the guilt could still be removed by using this ritual.

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Bloodguilt Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of

Topics

Blood: Shedding of Human: Mode of Clearing Those Accused of Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Government: Municipal: Devolving Upon a Local Senate and Executive officers Heifer: An Atonement for Murder Heifer: when Used As Sacrifice, Must be Without Blemish and Must not Have Come Under the Yoke Homicide: Felonious, or Murder Inquest: General Scriptures Concerning Murder: Imputed to the Nearest City when the Murderer Was Unknown Murder: Mode of Clearing Those Suspected of