211 If someone is found slain, lying in a field in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who the killer was,
211 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:
211 "If in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess someone is found slain, lying in the open country, and it is not known who killed him,
211 If a dead body is found on the ground, this ground that God, your God, has given you, lying out in the open, and no one knows who killed him,
211 "If anyone is found slain, lying in the field in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him,
211 "When you are in the land the Lord your God is giving you, someone may be found murdered in a field, and you don't know who committed the murder.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 21:1
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.