Deuteronomy 21:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So shalt thou put away {H1197} the guilt of innocent {H5355} blood {H1818} from among {H7130} you, when thou shalt do {H6213} that which is right {H3477} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus you will banish the shedding of innocent blood from among you, by doing what ADONAI sees as right.

Berean Standard Bible

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 21:9 serves as the pivotal conclusion to the unique ritual for an unknown murder, emphasizing the profound sanctity of human life and the collective responsibility of the community to maintain purity and justice. This verse underscores that the removal of the defilement and guilt of innocent blood from the land is achieved by performing actions that are morally upright and pleasing in the sight of the LORD, thereby preventing divine judgment from falling upon the land and its inhabitants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 21:9 functions as the theological capstone to the elaborate and unique ritual prescribed in [Deuteronomy 21:1-8](/deuteronomy/21-1-8 "Deuteronomy 21:1-8 - Ritual for an Unsolved Murder"). This preceding passage details the precise procedure to be followed when a slain person is discovered in the open country with no known perpetrator. The law mandates that the elders of the nearest city, accompanied by the Levitical priests, perform a solemn ceremony involving a young heifer whose neck is broken in a valley. This ritual culminates in a communal declaration of innocence and a plea for expiation. Verse 9 then succinctly articulates the profound spiritual purpose of this entire process: through this act of communal obedience and righteousness, the corporate guilt associated with unatoned bloodshed would be purged from the community, ensuring its continued purity before God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the shedding of blood, particularly innocent blood, was universally regarded as a grave offense that polluted the land and demanded retribution. However, Israel's understanding of this defilement was unique, rooted in its covenant relationship with Yahweh. The land of Israel was considered holy, a divine inheritance, and its defilement by unpunished sin, especially murder, was a direct affront to God's holiness. As articulated in [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Cries Out from the Ground"), the blood of the slain "cries out" from the ground, demanding justice. Furthermore, [Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Blood Defiles the Land") explicitly states that "blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it." This highlights the immense value placed on human life and the communal responsibility for maintaining justice and purity. The ritual in Deuteronomy 21:1-9, while having parallels in broader Near Eastern concepts of communal responsibility for crimes, uniquely grounds this obligation in the covenant with Yahweh and His demand for moral and ritual purity.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 21:9 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes pervasive throughout Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the **sanctity of human life**, underscoring that every individual life, even that of an unknown victim, is precious in God's sight and its unjust taking demands a communal response to ensure justice and prevent defilement. Secondly, it highlights the principle of **communal responsibility and corporate guilt**, demonstrating that the entire community bore a collective burden for maintaining justice and purity before God. Failure to address innocent bloodshed would bring guilt upon the whole nation, potentially leading to divine judgment. Thirdly, the concept of **expiation and purity** is central; the ritual described was a divinely ordained means of symbolically putting away the moral and spiritual guilt associated with such a heinous act, crucial for the nation's spiritual health and its relationship with God. Finally, the phrase "do that which is right in the sight of the LORD" underscores the pervasive theme of **divine standard of righteousness**. Israel's laws and actions were not arbitrary human constructs but were based on God's perfect moral character, and diligent obedience to these commands was essential for maintaining their covenant relationship and receiving His blessings, as also emphasized in [Deuteronomy 6:18](/deuteronomy/6-18 "Deuteronomy 6:18 - Doing What is Right in God's Sight").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **put away (Hebrew, _bâʻar'_):** This verb (H1197) is a primitive root meaning "to kindle" or "to consume (by fire or by eating)." In this context, it takes on the sense of "to bring (put, take) away" or "to waste," implying a thorough removal or purging. It signifies a complete eradication of the defilement and its associated consequences, much like fire consumes and purifies. The act of "putting away" the guilt is thus a decisive and comprehensive act of purification.
* **blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** The noun (H1818) refers to "blood" as that which, when shed, causes death. In Hebrew thought, blood is intrinsically linked to life itself, representing the very essence of a living being. It is considered sacred, belonging to God (cf. [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")). The phrase "innocent blood" (with H5355 _nâqîy_ "innocent") emphasizes the victim's blamelessness in the context of their death, highlighting the profound injustice and the heinous nature of the act, which is a direct affront to God's sovereignty over life.
* **right (Hebrew, _yâshâr'_):** The adjective (H3477) means "straight (literally or figuratively)," "just," or "upright." It signifies that which is morally correct, equitable, and pleasing in God's eyes. To "do that which is right" implies acting with integrity, justice, and unwavering obedience to divine commands, ensuring that the community's actions are in harmony with God's perfect will and character, reflecting His own righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So shalt thou put away the [guilt of] innocent blood from among you,"**: This initial clause states the direct purpose and desired outcome of the ritual. The verb "put away" (H1197, _bâʻar_) signifies a thorough purging or removal, indicating that the community is to actively cleanse itself of the moral and spiritual defilement caused by unatoned bloodshed. The "guilt of innocent blood" refers not merely to culpability but to the contaminating effect and divine liability incurred by the community due to this heinous act. The phrase "from among you" underscores the corporate nature of this defilement, affecting the entire community and its land, requiring a communal act of purification and responsibility to avert divine judgment.
* **"when thou shalt do [that which is] right in the sight of the LORD."**: This second clause provides the essential condition and the ultimate standard for the efficacy of the entire procedure. The ritual is not a mechanical or magical act, but an act of obedience and righteousness performed "in the sight of the LORD." This phrase emphasizes God's omnipresence and His moral scrutiny, signifying that the expiation's effectiveness is contingent upon the community's sincere adherence to His commands and their commitment to living in a manner that aligns with His righteous character. It highlights the profound moral and spiritual dimension of the law, linking ritual performance directly to righteous living and divine approval.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 21:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. It functions as a **Summary Statement**, succinctly encapsulating the purpose and efficacy of the preceding elaborate ritual for an unknown murder. The phrase "put away the guilt of innocent blood" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "innocent blood" stands for the act of murder itself and its defiling, guilt-inducing consequences. The concept of the land being defiled and requiring cleansing is a powerful form of **Symbolism**, where the physical land represents the moral and spiritual state of the community, reflecting its purity or impurity before God. The phrase "in the sight of the LORD" is an **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like perception and judgment to God, emphasizing His omnipresence and meticulous moral scrutiny over His covenant people. This phrase also serves as a crucial **Theological Marker**, grounding the law's authority, its moral imperative, and its ultimate efficacy directly in God's divine will and righteous judgment, rather than in mere human custom or superstition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 21:9 powerfully articulates the deep theological principle that unpunished sin, particularly the shedding of innocent blood, profoundly defiles not only the perpetrator but also the entire community and the land itself. God's absolute holiness demands that justice be served and purity maintained within His covenant people. Where human justice falls short, as in the tragic case of an unknown murderer, a divinely ordained ritual was necessary to symbolically cleanse the community and avert corporate judgment. This underscores God's absolute sovereignty over life and His unwavering demand for righteousness from His people, revealing that true national well-being and blessing are intrinsically linked to moral integrity and diligent obedience to divine standards. The verse highlights that God is not indifferent to injustice, and His people are called to reflect His character by actively pursuing justice and purity, ensuring that the land remains undefiled.

* [Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Land Defiled by Blood")
* [Genesis 9:6](/genesis/9-6 "Genesis 9:6 - Capital Punishment for Murder")
* [Psalm 106:38](/psalm/106-38 "Psalm 106:38 - Shedding Innocent Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of the heifer is no longer practiced in the New Covenant era, Deuteronomy 21:9 offers timeless and profound principles for contemporary society and individual believers. It compels us to recognize the profound sanctity of every human life, created in the very image of God, and to acknowledge the collective responsibility we bear to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, and address wrongdoing within our communities. This verse challenges us to move beyond a purely individualistic understanding of sin and righteousness to embrace a corporate understanding, recognizing that unaddressed injustice, systemic oppression, or widespread moral decay can indeed "defile" a society, leading to spiritual consequences and hindering its flourishing. It calls us to actively pursue righteousness in all spheres of life—personal conduct, communal structures, and governmental policies—striving to ensure that our actions and systems align with God's perfect moral standards. By doing "that which is right in the sight of the LORD," we contribute to the well-being, purity, and spiritual health of our communities and nations, reflecting God's character in a fallen world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "communal guilt" for unaddressed injustice, as seen in this passage, challenge our modern, often individualistic understanding of sin and responsibility?**
* **In what specific ways might our contemporary society be "defiled" by unaddressed issues of injustice, violence, or neglect, and what is our collective responsibility to "put away" such defilement?**
* **What practical steps can individuals and communities take today to "do that which is right in the sight of the LORD" regarding the sanctity of life, the pursuit of justice, and the care for the vulnerable?**

### FAQ
**Why was such an elaborate ritual necessary for an unknown murderer, and is it still relevant?**

Answer: The elaborate ritual for an unknown murderer (described in [Deuteronomy 21:1-8](/deuteronomy/21-1-8 "Deuteronomy 21:1-8 - Ritual for an Unsolved Murder")) was necessary because, in ancient Israel, the shedding of innocent blood was considered a profound defilement of the land and the community ([Numbers 35:33](/numbers/35-33 "Numbers 35:33 - Land Defiled by Blood")). If the perpetrator was unknown, direct human justice (e.g., capital punishment) could not be served, leaving the guilt and defilement unaddressed. This ritual provided a divinely ordained means of symbolic expiation, allowing the community to ceremonially cleanse itself and avert corporate divine judgment. While the specific ritual is no longer practiced by Christians, its underlying principles remain profoundly relevant. It underscores the sanctity of human life, the corporate responsibility for justice, and the truth that unaddressed sin and injustice have communal consequences. It teaches us that God cares deeply about justice and purity, and that societies are accountable to Him for how they treat the vulnerable and respond to injustice.

**What does "doing that which is right in the sight of the LORD" imply beyond following specific laws?**

Answer: "Doing that which is right in the sight of the LORD" (Hebrew: _laʿaśôt hayyāšār bəʿênê YHWH_) implies far more than mere legalistic adherence to a set of rules. It speaks to a profound heart attitude and a comprehensive way of life that actively aligns with God's character and moral will. It means acting with integrity, justice, compassion, and faithfulness in all areas of life, not just in ritual performance. For the Israelites, it meant living out the spirit of the covenant, reflecting God's righteousness in their societal structures, judicial decisions, and interpersonal relationships ([Deuteronomy 6:18](/deuteronomy/6-18 "Deuteronomy 6:18 - Doing What is Right in God's Sight")). For believers today, it means seeking to honor God in every decision, pursuing justice and mercy, and living in a way that brings glory to Him, recognizing that true righteousness flows from a transformed heart and a desire to please Him in all things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 21:9, with its profound emphasis on putting away the guilt of innocent blood by doing what is right in the sight of the LORD, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament ritual, while effective for its time in a ceremonial and symbolic sense, powerfully foreshadowed the deep human need for a perfect, once-for-all atonement for sin and guilt that no ritual or human effort could fully achieve. Humanity, far from consistently doing "that which is right in the sight of the LORD," is universally guilty before Him, enslaved by sin, and deserving of judgment ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). The innocent blood shed in the Old Testament ritual, a substitute for the unknown murderer, pointed to the truly innocent and spotless blood of the [Lamb of God, Jesus Christ](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose perfect sacrifice on the cross was the complete and final expiation for the guilt of all sin—not just innocent bloodshed, but all unrighteousness. Through His death, Christ definitively "put away" sin and its defiling power, making it possible for us to be declared righteous in God's sight, not by our own works or rituals, but by faith in Him ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith")). He is our righteousness ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Righteousness")), and He is the one who perfectly did "that which is right in the sight of the LORD," fulfilling all righteousness during His earthly life ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Fulfilling All Righteousness")). In Christ, the defilement of sin is truly removed, and believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives that genuinely reflect God's righteousness, fulfilling the spirit of the law in a way the Old Covenant could only anticipate.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 19:12

Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

Deuteronomy 19:13

Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away [the guilt of] innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.

2 Kings 10:30

And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing [that which is] right in mine eyes, [and] hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that [was] in mine heart, thy children of the fourth [generation] shall sit on the throne of Israel.

2 Kings 10:31

But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

Deuteronomy 13:18

When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do [that which is] right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.