Deuteronomy 21:3
And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֣ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָעִ֨יר
And it shall be that the city
H5892
הָעִ֨יר
And it shall be that the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 19
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הֶֽחָלָ֑ל
unto the slain man
H2491
הֶֽחָלָ֑ל
unto the slain man
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
5 of 19
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
וְלָֽקְח֡וּ
shall take
H3947
וְלָֽקְח֡וּ
shall take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
6 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
הָעִ֨יר
And it shall be that the city
H5892
הָעִ֨יר
And it shall be that the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 19
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַהִ֜וא
H1931
הַהִ֜וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
9 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עֶגְלַ֣ת
H5697
עֶגְלַ֣ת
Strong's:
H5697
Word #:
10 of 19
a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e., a heifer)
בָּקָ֗ר
an heifer
H1241
בָּקָ֗ר
an heifer
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
11 of 19
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עֻבַּד֙
which hath not been wrought with
H5647
עֻבַּד֙
which hath not been wrought with
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
14 of 19
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Heifers (young female cattle) had significant economic value as potential breeding stock. Requiring an unused heifer ensured the ritual involved genuine sacrifice, not disposing of useless animals.
The similarity to sacrificial requirements (unblemished, unused) despite this not being a temple offering demonstrates that sacred rituals outside the sacrificial system still required appropriate reverence.
Questions for Reflection
- What does requiring valuable unused animal teach about the cost of addressing evil?
- How does economic consequence create incentive for communities to maintain safety and justice?
- Why must even non-sacrificial sacred rituals use set-apart, unblemished animals?
- What does genuine cost versus token gesture reveal about appropriate response to serious evil?
- How does this principle apply to contemporary community responsibility for addressing crime and injustice?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke. The nearest city must provide the heifer for the cleansing ritual. This cost creates incentive for communities to maintain safety and pursue justice - negligence has tangible consequences.
The specific requirement of a heifer which hath not been wrought with indicates an unused animal, suitable for sacred purpose. Like sacrificial animals, the heifer for this ritual must be unblemished and unused for common work.
That it has not drawn in the yoke emphasizes its separation from ordinary labor. What serves sacred purpose must be set apart from common use, even though this particular ritual differs from temple sacrifices.
The young heifer represents valuable economic resource. This ritual requires real cost, not mere token gesture - the community bears tangible consequence for failing to prevent or solve the murder.