Deuteronomy 21:3

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;

And it shall be, that the city {H5892} which is next {H7138} unto the slain man {H2491}, even the elders {H2205} of that city {H5892} shall take {H3947} an heifer {H1241}{H5697}, which hath not been wrought with {H5647}, and which hath not drawn {H4900} in the yoke {H5923};

After it has been determined which town is the closest, the leaders of that town are to take a young female cow that has never been put to work or yoked for use as a draft animal.

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

and it shall be, that the city which is nearest unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 21:3 describes a specific detail within a unique ancient Israelite legal and religious ritual designed to address an unsolved murder found in the open country. This verse focuses on the selection of the animal for the subsequent purification ceremony.

Context

This verse is part of a broader legal section in Deuteronomy 21:1-9, which outlines the procedure for a community to atone for an unsolved murder within their territory. If a slain person was found and the perpetrator unknown, the nearest city was held accountable. The ritual described was not about punishing the city for the murder itself, but for communal purification to avert divine wrath over the shedding of innocent blood. The elders, representing the city's leadership, were tasked with overseeing this solemn act of atonement.

Key Themes

  • Communal Responsibility: The law emphasizes that the entire community, specifically the elders of the nearest city, bore a responsibility for the sanctity of life and the land. Even an unknown sin required communal action to ensure divine favor and prevent defilement of the land. This highlights a principle of corporate accountability in ancient Israel.
  • Purity and Unblemished Sacrifice: The requirement for the heifer to be "not been wrought with" and "not drawn in the yoke" signifies that it must be an unblemished, unused, and pure animal. This aligns with the broader biblical principle that sacrifices offered to God should be perfect and without blemish, symbolizing the holiness of God and the need for purity in approaching Him. This echoes similar requirements for offerings throughout the Pentateuch.
  • Aversion of Guilt: The elaborate ritual, culminating in the breaking of the heifer's neck and the elders' declaration (as seen in subsequent verses), was designed to ceremonially cleanse the community and prevent the guilt of innocent blood from resting upon them or the land.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "which hath not been wrought with, [and] which hath not drawn in the yoke" (Hebrew: asher lo' 'ubbad bah wa'asher lo' mashka b'ol) literally means "that has not been worked with, and that has not pulled in a yoke." This strict specification ensures the animal is unblemished and untainted by common labor, making it suitable for a sacred and unique ritual. Its pristine state underscores its suitability as a symbolic offering for cleansing.

Practical Application

While the specific ritual of Deuteronomy 21:3 is no longer practiced, its underlying principles remain relevant. It underscores God's deep concern for justice, the sanctity of life, and the purity of the land. It also highlights the concept that sin, even if unpunished by human authorities, has consequences that require divine intervention or atonement. Ultimately, this ancient law, like many in the Old Testament, points forward to the perfect and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is the unblemished Lamb who, through His death, took away the sin of the world, providing a complete and final atonement for all humanity, thereby dealing with the guilt of sin far more profoundly than any animal sacrifice could.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 19:2

    This [is] the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein [is] no blemish, [and] upon which never came yoke:

  • Matthew 11:28

    Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  • Matthew 11:30

    For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.

  • Philippians 2:8

    And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

  • Jeremiah 31:18

    ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself [thus]; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed [to the yoke]: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou [art] the LORD my God.
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