Deuteronomy 21:9

Verse

So you shall purge from among you the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.

American Standard Version (1901)

So shalt thou put away the innocent blood from the midst of thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English

So you will take away the crime of a death without cause from among you, when you do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And thou shalt be free from the innocent’s blood, that was shed, when thou shalt have done what the Lord hath commanded thee.

Free Bible Version

This is how you are to remove from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the Lord's sight.

Geneva Bible 1599

So shalt thou take away the cry of innocet blood from thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.

One Unity Resource Bible

So you shall put away the innocent blood from among you, when you shall do that which is right in Adonai ’s eyes.

Translation for Translators

By doing that, you will be doing what Yahweh considers to be right, and you will not be considered to be guilty for murdering that person.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

In this way you will put away the innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the eyes of Yahweh.

Noah Webster Bible

So shalt thou remove the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.

World English Bible

So you shall put away the innocent blood from among you, when you shall do that which is right in Yahweh’s eyes.

Young's Literal Translation

and thou dost put away the innocent blood out of thy midst, for thou dost that which [is] right in the eyes of Jehovah.

Context

Atonement for an Unsolved Murder

⁸Accept 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.⁹So you shall purge from among you the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.

Summary

In this verse, the elders of the city near where an unsolved murder victim is found are instructed to perform a ritual to atone for the bloodshed and to demonstrate their innocence. This ritual involves breaking the neck of a heifer in a valley with flowing water, symbolizing the removal of guilt from the community. The act serves as a solemn reminder of the value of human life and the responsibility of the community to seek justice and reconciliation. It underscores the importance of addressing unresolved crimes and upholding the sanctity of life in the eyes of God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you,.... Which otherwise, the person not being found out, and brought to just punishment for it, would devolve upon the whole. Aben Ezra interprets it the punishment of innocent blood, which, by the above method being taken, would not be inflicted on them: when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the Lord; as it was to observe this law concerning the beheading of the heifer, with all the rites and ceremonies belonging to it here enjoined; as well as every other command, statute, and ordinance of the Lord, which are all right to be done, Psa 19:8.