Deuteronomy 21:2
Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:
Original Language Analysis
וְיָֽצְא֥וּ
shall come forth
H3318
וְיָֽצְא֥וּ
shall come forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 9
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְשֹֽׁפְטֶ֑יךָ
and thy judges
H8199
וְשֹֽׁפְטֶ֑יךָ
and thy judges
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
3 of 9
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
וּמָֽדְדוּ֙
and they shall measure
H4058
וּמָֽדְדוּ֙
and they shall measure
Strong's:
H4058
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים
unto the cities
H5892
הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים
unto the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 9
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
City elders served as local government and judicial authority in ancient Israel. They were responsible for maintaining order, administering justice, and representing the community in legal and religious matters.
The measuring procedure would have been public, ensuring transparency in determining which city bore responsibility for the ritual.
Questions for Reflection
- What does official involvement of elders and judges teach about corporate responsibility for justice?
- How does proximity to evil create special obligation to address it?
- Why is precision in assigning responsibility important rather than diffusing it generally?
- What modern applications exist for the principle that communities bear responsibility for evil in their sphere?
- How does public procedure ensure accountability and prevent arbitrary assignment of responsibility?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain. The measuring determines which city bears primary responsibility for the ritual cleansing. Geographical proximity indicates which community should have provided protection and pursued justice.
The involvement of elders and thy judges indicates official legal action, not private response. Community leadership must investigate and take responsibility, demonstrating that justice is communal obligation requiring authorized oversight.
The careful measuring unto the cities shows precision in determining responsibility. God's law is not arbitrary but proportional - the nearest city bears greatest accountability for safety in their region.
This teaches that proximity creates responsibility. Those nearest to evil have special obligation to prevent it, address it, and make restitution when it occurs in their sphere of influence.