Deuteronomy 21:6
And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:
Original Language Analysis
וְכֹ֗ל
H3605
וְכֹ֗ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעִ֣יר
of that city
H5892
הָעִ֣יר
of that city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 14
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַהִ֔וא
H1931
הַהִ֔וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 14
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
הֶֽחָלָ֑ל
unto the slain
H2491
הֶֽחָלָ֑ל
unto the slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
7 of 14
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְדֵיהֶ֔ם
their hands
H3027
יְדֵיהֶ֔ם
their hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽעֶגְלָ֖ה
over the heifer
H5697
הָֽעֶגְלָ֖ה
over the heifer
Strong's:
H5697
Word #:
12 of 14
a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e., a heifer)
Historical Context
Ritual hand washing as declaration of innocence appears throughout ancient Near Eastern cultures. The gesture communicated publicly that the participant bore no guilt for the matter at hand.
Psalm 26:6 uses similar imagery - I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD - connecting cleanliness with worship access.
Questions for Reflection
- What does public hand washing communicate about declaring innocence?
- How does corporate participation emphasize community-wide responsibility?
- What is the connection between the slain heifer and the elders' innocence declaration?
- Why is actual faithfulness required beyond mere ritual protestation?
- How does Pilate's misuse of this gesture demonstrate the danger of empty religious formalism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley. Hand washing symbolically declares innocence - I am clean from this blood. This public gesture demonstrates the community's protest that they did not commit or negligently permit this murder.
That all the elders participate emphasizes corporate declaration. This is not individual protestation but community-wide assertion of innocence. Leadership represents the entire city in declaring they fulfilled their responsibility for justice and safety.
Washing over the heifer connects the declaration to the ritual sacrifice. The slain heifer's blood addresses the victim's blood, and the hand washing declares that this blood does not rest on the community's hands.
Pilate later mimicked this gesture when declaring innocence of Jesus' blood, though his guilt was real. True innocence requires actual faithfulness, not mere ritual protestation.