Deuteronomy 21:9

9 But you must remove innocent bloodshed from your community; do only what is right in the LORD's eyes.

Deuteronomy 21:9 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 21:9

So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among
you
Which otherwise, the person not being found out, and brought to just punishment for it, would devolve upon the whole. Aben Ezra interprets it the punishment of innocent blood, which, by the above method being taken, would not be inflicted on them:

when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the Lord;
as it was to observe this law concerning the beheading of the heifer, with all the rites and ceremonies belonging to it here enjoined; as well as every other command, statute, and ordinance of the Lord, which are all right to be done, ( Psalms 19:8 ) .

Deuteronomy 21:9 In-Context

7 They will then solemnly state: "Our hands did not shed this blood. Our eyes did not see it happen.

8 LORD, please forgive your people Israel, whom you saved. Don't put the guilt of innocent bloodshed on your people Israel." Then the bloodguilt will be forgiven them.

9 But you must remove innocent bloodshed from your community; do only what is right in the LORD's eyes.

10 When you wage war against your enemies and the LORD hands them over to you and you take prisoners,

11 if you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you fall in love with her and take her as your wife,

Footnotes

• [a]. Or burn