Deuteronomy 21:7-8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Care had been taken by some preceding laws for the vigorous and effectual persecution of a wilful murderer (Deut. 19:11-13), the putting of whom to death was the putting away of the guilt of blood from the land; but if this could not be done, the murderer not being discovered, they must not think that the land was in no danger of contracting any pollution because it was not through any neglect of theirs that the murderer was unpunished; no, a great solemnity is here provided for the putting... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:7

And they shall answer and say ,.... The elders of the city, at the time of the washing of their hands: our hands have not shed this blood ; have been no ways concerned in it, nor accessory to it: the Targum of Jonathan is,"it is manifest before the Lord that he did not come into our hands, nor did we dismiss him, that has shed this blood;'which is more fully explained in the Misnah F25 Ut supra, (Sotah. c. 9.) sect. 6. ; for had they been aware of him, or had any suspicion of him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:8

Be merciful, O Lord, to thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed ,.... Out of Egyptian bondage, and claimed as his own; and therefore it is requested he would be favourable to them, and show them mercy, and not punish them for a sin they were entirely ignorant of, though done by some one among them, whom as yet they could not discover. The words seem to be the words of the elders continued, who having made a declaration of their innocence, humbly request mercy of God, not only for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

EXPOSITION EXPIATION OF UNCERTAIN MURDER . TREATMENT OF A CAPTIVE TAKEN TO WIFE . RIGHTS OF THE FIRSTBORN . A REBELLIOUS , REFRACTORY SON TO BE JUDGED AND PUNISHED . A MALEFACTOR WHO HAS BEEN HANGED TO BE BURIED ERE NIGHTFALL . One general idea, viz. the sacredness of human life and of personal rights, connects the laws in this chapter together, as well as connects them with the laws in the two preceding chapters. If a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

The preciousness of one human life in the sight of God. The value of this paragraph can be duly appreciated only as the indifference with which pagan nations of old regarded human life is studied and understood. As a piece of civil legislation, it is far superior to anything in the code of the nations around at that time. Dr. Jameson remarks that in it we have undoubtedly the origin or the germ of modern coroners' inquests. The following points in it are worthy of note. 1. It is a rule... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Atonement for unknown sin. We have here a ritual applicable to cases where murder has not been expiated by the apprehension and execution of the murderer. The mystery has remained unraveled. The elders and judges, in such a case, are to come and measure which city is nearest the slain man, and the elders of that city are then required to take the heifer prescribed and make atonement, that the country may be delivered from the guilt of innocent blood. The heifer is to be one in the full... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Purification from guilt of an uncertain murder. The explanation commonly given of this peculiar ceremony seems unsatisfactory. Keil's view, that "it was a symbolical infliction of the punishment that should have been borne by the murderer, upon the animal which was substituted for him," is contradicted by the fact that, for deliberate murder, the Law, as he admits, provided no expiation, while the object of this ceremony was plainly in some way to remove blood-guiltiness. Fairbairn's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

The creation of righteous, public sentiment. The influence of man upon man is omnific; it touches him at every point. The potency of influence depends on character, rank, age, station. The character of kings is soon reflected on their courtiers. From this principle is born the adage, "Like priest, like people." Crimes proceed from depraved sentiment, and sentiment can be purified by righteous influence. I. CRIME COVETS CONCEALMENT . All crime is cowardly, base, mean. It fears the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:7-8

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. Be merciful … unto ; be propitiated towards (literally, cover , כַּפֵּר לְעַמְךָ ; for the phrase, כַּפֵר לְ , see Le Deuteronomy 1:4 ). And lay not innocent blood ; the blood of the innocent man who has been slain. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 21:7-8

Deuteronomy 21:7-8. They shall answer To the priests who shall examine them. This blood This about which the present inquiry is made; or this which is here present: for it is thought the corpse of the slain man was brought into the same place where the heifer was slain. Nor have we seen or understood how or by whom this was done. Forgiven Though there was no moral guilt in this people, yet there was a ceremonial uncleanness in the land, which was to be expiated and forgiven. read more

Group of Brands