Deuteronomy 21:6

6 And all the elders of that closest city next to the dead man shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley.

Deuteronomy 21:6 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 21:6

And all the elders of that city that are next unto the slain
man
The whole court of judicature belonging to it, all the magistracy of it; even though there were an hundred of them, Maimonides

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 says:

shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:
in token of their innocence, and this they did not only for themselves, but for the whole city, being the representatives of it; see ( Psalms 26:6 ) ( Matthew 27:24 ) . Some think that this is a confirmation of the sense embraced by some, that it was a strong stream to which the heifer was brought; and there might be a stream of water here, and a valley also; though it would be no great difficulty to get from the city, which was near, a sufficient quantity of water to wash the hands of the elders with. This may denote the purification of sin by the blood of Christ, when it is confessed over him; and shows that priests and elders, ministers of the word, as well as others, stand in need of it; and that even those concerned in the death of Christ shared in the benefits of it.

F24 Hilchot Rotzeach, c. 9. sect. 3.

Deuteronomy 21:6 In-Context

4 and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which has neither been plowed nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley.

5 And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for the LORD thy God has chosen them to minister unto him and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be determined.

6 And all the elders of that closest city next to the dead man shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley.

7 And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.

8 Reconcile thy people Israel, whom thou hast ransomed, O LORD, and impute not the innocent blood shed in the midst of thy people Israel. And the blood shall be forgiven them.