Deuteronomy 21:9

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.

Deuteronomy 21:9 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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.
New Living Translation (NLT)
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.
The Message Bible (MSG)
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.
American Standard Version (ASV)
9 So shalt thou put away the innocent blood from the midst of thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
9 This is how you will get rid of the guilt of an unsolved murder by doing what the LORD considers right.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
9 You must purge from yourselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood, for you will be doing what is right in the Lord's sight.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
9 So you will get rid of the guilt of killing someone who didn't do anything wrong. That's because you have done what is right in the LORD's eyes.

Deuteronomy 21:9 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 21:9

So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among
you
Which otherwise, the person not being found out, and brought to just punishment for it, would devolve upon the whole. Aben Ezra interprets it the punishment of innocent blood, which, by the above method being taken, would not be inflicted on them:

when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the Lord;
as it was to observe this law concerning the beheading of the heifer, with all the rites and ceremonies belonging to it here enjoined; as well as every other command, statute, and ordinance of the Lord, which are all right to be done, ( Psalms 19:8 ) .

Deuteronomy 21:9 In-Context

7 and they shall declare: “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it done.
8 Accept this atonement for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, LORD, and do not hold your people guilty of the blood of an innocent person.” Then the bloodshed will be atoned for,
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.
10 When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hands and you take captives,
11 if you notice among the captives a beautiful woman and are attracted to her, you may take her as your wife.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Deuteronomy 19:13
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