Deuteronomy 21:9

9 "¹So you shall remove the guilt of innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the eyes of the LORD.

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 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.

9 "So you shall remove the guilt of innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the eyes of the LORD .

10 "When you go out to battle against your enemies, and the LORD your God delivers them into your hands and you take them away captive,

11 and see among the captives a beautiful woman, and have a desire for her and would take her as a wife for yourself,

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 19:13