God’s Word Translation
Deuteronomy 21:7
7Then they must make this formal statement: “We didn’t commit this murder, and we didn’t witness it.
Deuteronomy 21:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.
- New International Version (NIV)and they shall declare: “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done.
- English Standard Version (ESV)and they shall testify, 'Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it shed.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then they shall answer and say, ‘Our hands have not shed this blood, nor have our eyes seen it.
Context of Deuteronomy 21:7
5The priests, the descendants of Levi, must come forward. The Lord your God has chosen them to serve him as priests and to bless people in the Lord’s name. Their decision is final in all cases involving a disagreement or an assault. 6All the leaders from the city which was nearest the murder victim must wash their hands over the dead heifer. Then they must make this formal statement: “We didn’t commit this murder, and we didn’t witness it. 8Lord, make peace with your people Israel, whom you freed. Don’t let the guilt of this unsolved murder remain among your people Israel.” Then there will be peace with the Lord despite the murder. 9This is how you will get rid of the guilt of an unsolved murder by doing what the Lord considers right.
Read all of Deuteronomy 21Deuteronomy 21:7 word by word
וְעָנ֖וּ וְאָמְר֑וּ יָדֵ֗ינוּ לֹ֤א שָֽׁפְכוּ֙ אֶת־הַדָּ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה וְעֵינֵ֖ינוּ לֹ֥א רָאֽוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Deuteronomy 21:7
- Numbers 5:19“Then the priest will say to her, ‘If no other man has had sexual intercourse with you and you haven’t been unfaithful to your husband, you’re not guilty. This bitter water that can bring a curse will not harm you.
- 2 Samuel 16:8The Lord is paying you back for all the blood you spilled in the family of Saul, whom you succeeded as king. The Lord is giving the kingship to your son Absalom. Now you’re in trouble because you’re a bloodthirsty man.”
- Job 21:21How can he be interested in his family after he’s gone, when the number of his months is cut short?
- Psalms 7:3O Lord my God, if I have done this— if my hands are stained with injustice,
Commentaries on Deuteronomy 21:7
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-8A family member seeking revenge could not blame the entire community (19:6–7; Numbers 35:16–29).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-91-6. If one be found slain ... lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him--The ceremonies here ordained to be observed on the discovery of a slaughtered corpse show the ideas of sanctity which the Mosaic law sought to associate with human blood, the horror which murder inspired, as well as the fears that were felt lest God should avenge it on the country at large, and the pollution which the land was supposed to contract from the effusion…Read the comment
Topics related to Deuteronomy 21:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Deuteronomy 21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries