Deuteronomy Chapter 22 · Verse 8
When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ
house
H1004
בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ
then thou shalt make
H6213
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ
then thou shalt make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָשִׂ֤ים
that thou bring
H7760
תָשִׂ֤ים
that thou bring
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 15
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
דָּמִים֙
not blood
H1818
דָּמִים֙
not blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
10 of 15
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
בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ
house
H1004
בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַנֹּפֵ֖ל
fall
H5307
הַנֹּפֵ֖ל
fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
13 of 15
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
Cross References
Mark 2:4And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.Isaiah 22:1The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?Acts 10:9On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:Jeremiah 19:13And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.Matthew 10:27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.1 Thessalonians 5:22Abstain from all appearance of evil.2 Samuel 11:2And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern homes had flat roofs used for sleeping, drying food, and socializing. Without parapets, falls caused injury/death. This law required homeowners to prevent foreseeable harm. The principle extends beyond literal application: any foreseeable danger requiring reasonable prevention. James applies this spiritually: 'to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin' (James 4:17)—omitting good is sin. Christian love proactively protects others' welfare, not merely avoiding direct harm.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the parapet law demonstrate that love requires practical action, not just avoiding harm?
- What modern 'parapets' (safety measures, preventative actions) does Christian love require?
- How does responsibility for others' safety reflect the second great commandment (love neighbor)?
Analysis & Commentary
Safety regulations: 'When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.' Flat roofs required protective walls (ma'aqeh, מַעֲקֶה, railing/parapet) preventing falls. This applies covenant love to daily safety—'love thy neighbor' includes practical protection. The phrase 'bring not blood upon thine house' indicates legal/moral guilt for preventable deaths. Negligence equals guilt. This establishes principle: responsibility for others' safety extends to property design. Modern building codes, workplace safety, and liability law reflect this principle. Love demands practical care, not just sentiment.