Deuteronomy 21:9
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.
Original Language Analysis
הַדָּ֥ם
blood
H1818
הַדָּ֥ם
blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
3 of 10
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
מִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָ
from among
H7130
מִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָ
from among
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
you when thou shalt do
H6213
תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
you when thou shalt do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Historical Context
This concludes the unsolved murder law (21:1-9), where elders of the nearest city must perform a heifer-breaking ritual to atone for blood pollution. In an agrarian society where everyone knew everyone, an unsolved murder was rare and serious—requiring communal response to maintain covenant standing before God.
Questions for Reflection
- What "innocent blood" issues in your community or nation require corporate repentance and action, not just individual piety?
- How does this passage challenge modern individualism that says "I'm not responsible for evils I didn't personally commit"?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you (וְאַתָּה תְּבַעֵר הַדָּם הַנָּקִי)—The verb ba'ar (put away/purge) is intensive, meaning to burn away or completely remove. The phrase dam naki (innocent blood) carries covenant weight—shedding innocent blood pollutes the land itself (Numbers 35:33) and brings corporate guilt requiring atonement.
When thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD—The unsolved murder ritual (vv. 1-8) wasn't magic but covenant obedience. Right standing before God requires dealing seriously with bloodguilt, even when the perpetrator is unknown. Corporate responsibility for justice means communities cannot ignore evil in their midst.