Deuteronomy 22:8

When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.

When thou buildest {H1129} a new {H2319} house {H1004}, then thou shalt make {H6213} a battlement {H4624} for thy roof {H1406}, that thou bring {H7760} not blood {H1818} upon thine house {H1004}, if any man {H5307} fall {H5307} from thence.

"When you build a new house, you must build a low wall around your roof; otherwise someone may fall from it, and you will be responsible for his death.

If you build a new house, you are to construct a railing around your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it.

When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thy house, if any man fall from thence.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:8 (KJV) provides a practical yet profound directive concerning safety and responsibility in ancient Israelite society. It mandates a specific building regulation designed to protect human life.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Israel, houses typically featured flat roofs, which were not merely structural coverings but active living spaces. These roofs served various purposes: for drying grains and flax, for sleeping during hot summer nights, for social gatherings, and even for prayer (as seen in Acts 10:9). Given the frequent use of these elevated spaces, the risk of accidental falls was significant. The "battlement" (Hebrew: ma'akeh, meaning 'fence' or 'parapet') was a low wall or railing around the edge of the roof, acting as a crucial safety barrier. This law reflects an understanding of common architectural practices and potential hazards of the time.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sanctity of Human Life: The phrase "that thou bring not blood upon thine house" powerfully emphasizes the immense value God places on human life. Negligence leading to death was considered a serious offense, incurring guilt (symbolized by "blood") upon the homeowner. This aligns with broader biblical principles against bloodshed and for the preservation of life, as seen in the sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill".
  • Personal Responsibility and Diligence: This verse places the onus on the homeowner to proactively ensure safety. It's a call to foresight and diligence, not just in building, but in maintaining a safe environment for all who might visit or use the property.
  • Love for Neighbor: Beyond mere legal compliance, this commandment embodies the spirit of caring for one's neighbor. By preventing potential harm, the homeowner demonstrates practical love and concern for the well-being of others, echoing the broader command to "love thy neighbour as thyself".
  • Prevention over Punishment: The law prioritizes preventing tragedy rather than merely punishing it after the fact. It highlights a proactive approach to righteousness and ethical conduct.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "battlement" is ma'akeh (ΧžΦ·Χ’Φ²Χ§ΦΆΧ”), which specifically denotes a protective barrier or railing. The phrase "bring not blood upon thine house" is a strong idiom signifying guilt or culpability for a death. It implies that if an accident were to occur due to negligence, the owner would be held morally and spiritually accountable, as if they had shed the blood themselves.

Practical Application

While modern building codes have replaced specific ancient Israelite laws, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 22:8 remain timeless. This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to:

  • Prioritize Safety: Whether in homes, workplaces, or public spaces, we are called to be mindful of potential hazards and take reasonable precautions to prevent accidents and protect others.
  • Exercise Responsibility: We are accountable for the environments we create and maintain, ensuring they do not pose unnecessary risks to others. This extends beyond physical safety to spiritual and emotional well-being.
  • Act with Foresight: Rather than reacting to problems, we should anticipate potential issues and address them proactively, demonstrating wisdom and care.
  • Value Human Life: Above all, the verse underscores the sanctity of human life, reminding us that every individual is precious in God's sight, and we have a moral obligation to protect and preserve life.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 22:1

    ΒΆ The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?

  • Exodus 21:28

    If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox [shall be] quit.

  • Exodus 21:36

    Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.

  • 2 Samuel 11:2

    And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman [was] very beautiful to look upon.

  • Jeremiah 19:13

    And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.

  • Mark 2:4

    And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken [it] up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

  • Exodus 22:6

    If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed [therewith]; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
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