Keraia
Deuteronomy 21

Deuteronomy 21:4

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

Translations

Modern
…bring the heifer to a valley with running water that has not been plowed or sown, and break its neck there by the stream.
Traditional
And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley:
Literal
…and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer to an enduring valley, which neither is plowed nor sown, and they shall break the neck there of the heifer in the valley.
Latin
…et ducent eam ad vallem asperam atque saxosam, quæ numquam arata est, nec sementem recepit: et cædent in ea cervices vitulæ:

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
…bring the heifer to a valley with running water that has not been plowed or sown, and break its neck there by the stream.

Notes

Deuteronomy 21:4

The stream would be an ever-flowing brook. It would be located in an isolated area, away from people and animals. This would help keep it free from contaminants (anything that makes something unclean).

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 Homicide: Felonious, or Murder Inquest: General Scriptures Concerning Murder: Mode of Clearing Those Suspected of Valleys: Called: Rough Valleys, when Uncultivated and Barren