Deuteronomy 21:6

6 "All the elders of that city which is nearest to the slain man shall ¹wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken 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 the heifer down to a valley with running water, which has not been plowed or sown, and shall break the heifer's neck there in the valley.

5 "Then the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come near, for the LORD your God has chosen them to serve Him and to bless in the name of the LORD ; and every dispute and every assault shall be settled by them.

6 "All the elders of that city which is nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley;

7 and they shall answer and say, 'Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.

8 'Forgive Your people Israel whom You have redeemed, O LORD , and do not place the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of Your people Israel.' And the bloodguiltiness shall be forgiven them.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 27:24

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "who are"