211 'When one is found slain on the ground which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee to possess it—fallen in a field—it is not known who hath smitten him, 2 then have thine elders and thy judges gone out and measured unto the cities which 'are' round about the slain one, 3 and it hath been, the city which 'is' near unto the slain one, even the elders of that city have taken a heifer of the herd, which hath not been wrought with, which hath not drawn in the yoke, 4 and the elders of that city have brought down the heifer unto a hard valley, which is not tilled nor sown, and have beheaded there the heifer in the valley. 5 'And the priests, sons of Levi, have come nigh—for on them hath Jehovah thy God fixed to serve Him, and to bless in the name of Jehovah, and by their mouth is every strife, and every stroke— 6 and all the elders of that city, who are near unto the slain one, do wash their hands over the heifer which is beheaded in the valley, 7 and they have answered and said, Our hands have not shed this blood, and our eyes have not seen— 8 receive atonement for Thy people Israel, whom Thou hast ransomed, O Jehovah, and suffer not innocent blood in the midst of Thy people Israel; and the blood hath been pardoned to them, 9 and thou dost put away the innocent blood out of thy midst, for thou dost that which 'is' right in the eyes of Jehovah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 21:1-9
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.