Deuteronomy 21:4
And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:
Original Language Analysis
וְהוֹרִ֡דוּ
shall bring down
H3381
וְהוֹרִ֡דוּ
shall bring down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 20
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הָעִ֨יר
of that city
H5892
הָעִ֨יר
of that city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 20
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַהִ֤וא
H1931
הַהִ֤וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 20
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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעֶגְלָ֖ה
the heifer
H5697
הָֽעֶגְלָ֖ה
the heifer
Strong's:
H5697
Word #:
6 of 20
a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e., a heifer)
בַּנָּֽחַל׃
there in the valley
H5158
בַּנָּֽחַל׃
there in the valley
Strong's:
H5158
Word #:
8 of 20
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
אֵיתָ֔ן
unto a rough
H386
אֵיתָ֔ן
unto a rough
Strong's:
H386
Word #:
9 of 20
permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 20
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 #:
11 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵעָבֵ֥ד
which is neither eared
H5647
יֵעָבֵ֥ד
which is neither eared
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
12 of 20
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִזָּרֵ֑עַ
nor sown
H2232
יִזָּרֵ֑עַ
nor sown
Strong's:
H2232
Word #:
15 of 20
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
וְעָֽרְפוּ
and shall strike off
H6202
וְעָֽרְפוּ
and shall strike off
Strong's:
H6202
Word #:
16 of 20
to break the neck; hence (figuratively) to destroy
שָׁ֥ם
H8033
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
The rough, uncultivated valley remained permanently unusable for agriculture after this ritual, creating lasting memorial of the unsolved murder and community's innocence declaration.
This differed from standard sacrifices offered at the altar, reflecting its unique purpose as legal-ceremonial cleansing rather than worship offering.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the desolate, unproductive location symbolize about violence's effects?
- Why is this ritual distinct from temple sacrifices while still requiring blood?
- How does permanent preservation of the site serve as memorial and witness?
- What does the unusual nature of this ritual teach about responding appropriately to extraordinary circumstances?
- Why must blood address bloodshed even when the guilty party cannot be identified?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley. The ritual occurs in unproductive land - rough valley that is neither eared nor sown. This desolate location represents the waste and barrenness that violence produces.
Striking off the heifer's neck kills the animal but not through standard sacrificial method. This is not temple offering but ceremonial cleansing addressing blood guilt. The distinction maintains proper categories while still requiring blood to address bloodshed.
The uncultivated valley that will never be farmed preserves the site from common use, marking it as place where innocent blood was addressed. The land bears witness to the ritual cleansing performed there.
This unusual ritual - not quite sacrifice, not common slaughter - demonstrates that extraordinary evils require extraordinary responses that fit the unique circumstances while honoring God's holiness.