9 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.
9 and you will have purged from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
9 So you shall purge the guilt of innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the sight of the Lord.
9 By following these procedures you will have absolved yourselves of any part in the murder because you will have done what is right in God's sight.
9 So you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you when you do what is right in the sight of the Lord.
9 By following these instructions, you will do what is right in the Lord 's sight and will cleanse the guilt of murder from your community.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 21:9
Commentary on Deuteronomy 21:1-9
(Read Deuteronomy 21:1-9)
If a murderer could not be found out, great solemnity is provided for putting away the guilt from the land, as an expression of dread and detesting of that sin. The providence of God has often wonderfully brought to light these hidden works of darkness, and the sin of the guilty has often strangely found them out. The dread of murder should be deeply impressed upon every heart, and all should join in detecting and punishing those who are guilty. The elders were to profess that they had not been any way aiding or abetting the sin. The priests were to pray to God for the country and nation, that God would be merciful. We must empty that measure by our prayers, which others are filling by their sins. All would be taught by this solemnity, to use the utmost care and diligence to prevent, discover, and punish murder. We may all learn from hence to take heed of partaking in other men's sins. And we have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, if we do not reprove them.