What does Deuteronomy 21:7 mean?
"And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it." - Deuteronomy 21:7
Deuteronomy 21:7 - "And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it."
Deuteronomy 21:7 (KJV) states: "And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it."
This verse comes from the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. It is part of a passage that deals with unsolved murders and explains the ritual that the Israelites were to perform when a dead body was found in the open country and the murderer was unknown. In this particular verse, it refers to the elders of the city where the body is found responding to the ritual and declaring their innocence in the matter.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its meaning and significance. In the preceding verses, it is outlined that if an unknown murder victim is found and the identity of the perpetrator is not known, the elders and judges of the nearest city were to wash their hands over a heifer that had never been worked and had its neck broken in a remote valley. This was a ritual act of atonement to purify the community and remove any guilt from their midst. The elders were to proclaim their innocence in the matter, stating that they did not shed the blood of the victim nor witnessed the crime taking place.
The theme of justice and communal responsibility is prevalent in this verse. The ritual described in Deuteronomy 21:7 serves as a symbolic representation of the community taking responsibility for the unsolved murder within their borders. By publicly declaring their innocence, the elders are demonstrating their commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that the guilty party is held accountable for their actions. This reflects the emphasis on accountability and righteousness in the laws and teachings of the Old Testament.
Furthermore, the symbolism in this verse is multi-layered. The act of washing their hands over the heifer and declaring their innocence serves as a physical manifestation of their moral cleanliness and commitment to justice. The use of the heifer, an animal that was considered pure and untainted, underscores the need for an unblemished sacrifice to atone for the unpunished sin within the community. The breaking of the heifer's neck in a remote valley is a solemn and significant act, signifying the severity of the unavenged murder and the earnestness of the community to seek reconciliation and absolution.
Additionally, the verse underscores the importance of truth and honesty in the pursuit of justice. The elders are not only declaring their innocence in the crime but also affirming that they have not turned a blind eye to the wrongdoing. This emphasizes the value of integrity and transparency in the administration of justice, highlighting the fundamental principles of righteousness and equity within the community.
Overall, Deuteronomy 21:7 conveys a profound message about the responsibility of the community for upholding justice and addressing unsolved crimes. It emphasizes the themes of accountability, moral purity, and truthfulness, while utilizing powerful symbolism to illustrate the significance of these principles. This verse continues to resonate as a powerful reminder of the importance of communal responsibility and the pursuit of justice in the Old Testament teachings.
Deuteronomy 21:7 Artwork
Deuteronomy 21:7 - "And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it."
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Deuteronomy 27:21 - "Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen."
Deuteronomy 3:7 - "But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves."
Deuteronomy 5:7 - "Thou shalt have none other gods before me."
Nehemiah 7:21 - "The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight."
Deuteronomy 18:21 - "And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?"
Deuteronomy 21:21 - "And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear."
Deuteronomy 21:22 - "¶ And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:"
Deuteronomy 21:6 - "And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:"
Deuteronomy 2:21 - "A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:"
Deuteronomy 24:21 - "When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow."
Deuteronomy 21:12 - "Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;"
Deuteronomy 19:7 - "Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee."
Deuteronomy 10:7 - "From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters."
Deuteronomy 11:7 - "But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did."
Deuteronomy 21:11 - "And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;"
1 Chronicles 21:7 - "And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel."
Deuteronomy 15:21 - "And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God."
Deuteronomy 19:21 - "And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."
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:"
Deuteronomy 29:21 - "And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:"
Deuteronomy 27:7 - "And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God."
Matthew 21:7 - "And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon."
Deuteronomy 21:20 - "And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard."
Deuteronomy 10:21 - "He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen."
Job 21:7 - "Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?"
Proverbs 21:7 - "The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment."
Deuteronomy 21:1 - "If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him:"
Deuteronomy 7:2 - "And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:" respectful, symbolic bible verse art