2 your elders and judges shall go out and measure the distance from the body to the neighboring towns.
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:
2 then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure the distance to the surrounding cities.
2 your leaders and judges are to go out and measure the distance from the body to the nearest cities.
2 then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure the distance from the slain man to the surrounding cities.
2 In such a case, your elders and judges must measure the distance from the site of the crime to the nearby towns.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 21:2
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.