Deuteronomy 21:2

Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which [are] round about him that is slain:

Then thy elders {H2205} and thy judges {H8199} shall come forth {H3318}, and they shall measure {H4058} unto the cities {H5892} which are round about {H5439} him that is slain {H2491}:

then your leaders and judges are to go out and measure the distance between it and the surrounding towns.

your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities.

then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:

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Commentary

Deuteronomy 21:2 is part of a unique and fascinating legal procedure outlined in the Old Testament for ancient Israel. This specific verse details the initial steps taken when a slain person is found in the open country, and the identity of the killer remains unknown.

Context

This verse is the second in a series of instructions (Deuteronomy 21:1-9) concerning a situation where a dead body is discovered and the perpetrator is not identified. The underlying concern was that unexplained bloodshed would defile the land and bring divine judgment upon the community. Therefore, a precise ritual was required to purify the land and avert God's wrath. The immediate preceding verse, Deuteronomy 21:1, sets the scene by describing the discovery of the body.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Accountability: Even when human justice cannot identify a perpetrator, God's law demands that the community acknowledge the sanctity of life and take steps to atone for the bloodshed. This highlights a profound belief in the defilement of the land by innocent blood.
  • Purity of the Land: A central theme throughout Deuteronomy is the conditional blessing upon the land, dependent on Israel's obedience and moral purity. Unatoned bloodshed was seen as a grave defilement that could lead to curses or even expulsion from the land.
  • Role of Leadership: The "elders" (representing tribal authority and wisdom) and "judges" (responsible for legal administration) were crucial in carrying out this ritual. Their presence underscored the community's collective responsibility and the seriousness of the matter.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "slain" here is chalal (Χ—ΦΈΧœΦΈΧœ), which implies someone who has been pierced or wounded, often fatally. The act of "measuring" (Hebrew: madad, ΧžΦΈΧ“Φ·Χ“) was a practical step to determine which city was geographically closest to the body, thereby assigning responsibility for the atonement ritual to that city's elders. This precise measurement underscored the meticulous nature of God's law and the importance of due process even in unusual circumstances.

Related Scriptures

  • The full ritual following this measurement is detailed in Deuteronomy 21:3-9, involving a heifer sacrifice and a declaration of innocence.
  • The principle of blood defiling the land is also seen in Numbers 35:33-34, which states that "blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it." This ritual for an unknown killer served as a communal substitute for individual retribution.
  • The concept of blood "crying out" from the ground for justice can be traced back to Genesis 4:10, after Cain murdered Abel.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual of Deuteronomy 21 is not practiced today, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant. This passage emphasizes:

  1. The sanctity of human life: Every life is precious, and its unwarranted termination is a serious offense, even if the perpetrator is unknown.
  2. Community responsibility: Society has a collective duty to seek justice, prevent violence, and uphold moral order. We are called to care for the vulnerable and ensure accountability where possible.
  3. The need for atonement and cleansing: Though we now live under the new covenant established by Christ's sacrifice, the concept that sin defiles and requires cleansing remains. This reminds us of the profound need for God's grace and forgiveness to purify our hearts and lands.
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Cross-References

  • Romans 13:3

    For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

  • Romans 13:4

    For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.

  • Deuteronomy 16:18

    ΒΆ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

  • Deuteronomy 16:19

    Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
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