Deuteronomy 21:2
New International Version
your elders and judges shall go out and measure the distance from the body to the neighboring towns.

New Living Translation
In such a case, your elders and judges must measure the distance from the site of the crime to the nearby towns.

English Standard Version
then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure the distance to the surrounding cities.

Berean Standard Bible
your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities.

King James Bible
Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:

New King James Version
then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure the distance from the slain man to the surrounding cities.

New American Standard Bible
then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure the distance to the cities which are around the one who was killed.

NASB 1995
then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure the distance to the cities which are around the slain one.

NASB 1977
then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure the distance to the cities which are around the slain one.

Legacy Standard Bible
then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure the distance to the cities which are around the slain one.

Amplified Bible
then your elders and judges shall go out and measure the distance to the cities which are around the dead person.

Christian Standard Bible
your elders and judges are to come out and measure the distance from the victim to the nearby cities.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the nearby cities.

American Standard Version
then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:

Contemporary English Version
The judges and other leaders from the towns around there must find out what town is the closest to where the body was found.

English Revised Version
then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
your leaders and judges must go and measure the distance from the body to each of the neighboring cities.

Good News Translation
Your leaders and judges are to go out and measure the distance from the place where the body was found to each of the nearby towns.

International Standard Version
then let your elders and judges go out and measure the distance from the dead body to the neighboring cities.

Majority Standard Bible
your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities.

NET Bible
your elders and judges must go out and measure how far it is to the cities in the vicinity of the corpse.

New Heart English Bible
then your elders and your judges shall come forth, and they shall measure to the cities which are around him who is slain:

Webster's Bible Translation
Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure to the cities which are around him that is slain:

World English Bible
then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure to the cities which are around him who is slain.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then your elderly and yours [of those] judging have gone out and measured to the cities which [are] around the slain one,

Young's Literal Translation
then have thine elders and thy judges gone out and measured unto the cities which are round about the slain one,

Smith's Literal Translation
And thy old men and thy judges shall come forth and measure to the cities which are round about him wounded:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thy ancients and judges shall go out, and shall measure from the place where the body lieth the distance of every city round about:

Catholic Public Domain Version
your judges and those greater by birth shall go out and measure, from the place of the corpse, the distance to each of the surrounding cities.

New American Bible
your elders and judges shall go out and measure the distances to the cities that are in the neighborhood of the corpse.

New Revised Standard Version
then your elders and your judges shall come out to measure the distances to the towns that are near the body.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then your elders and your judges shall come forth, and they shall measure the distance to the cities which are round about him that is slain;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Your Elders and your Judges shall go out and they shall measure the towns which are around him who was killed:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
thine elders and thy judges shall come forth, and shall measure the distances of the cities round about the slain man:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Atonement for an Unsolved Murder
1If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, 2your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. 3Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work,…

Cross References
Numbers 35:24-25
then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. / The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.

Joshua 20:4-6
When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. / Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice. / He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which he fled.”

1 Kings 3:16-28
At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ...

Exodus 21:12-14
Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.

Numbers 35:11-12
designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. / You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly.

Numbers 35:30-31
If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness. / You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 17:8-9
If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case.

Deuteronomy 19:11-13
If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you.

2 Samuel 14:4-11
When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!” / “What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. / And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. ...

2 Chronicles 19:10
For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.

Matthew 18:16
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

John 8:3-11
The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” ...

Acts 25:16
I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.

Hebrews 10:28
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

1 Timothy 5:19
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.


Treasury of Scripture

Then your elders and your judges shall come forth, and they shall measure to the cities which are round about him that is slain:

Deuteronomy 16:18,19
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment…

Romans 13:3,4
For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: …

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Body Cities Dead Distance Elders Judges Measure Neighboring Orders Responsible Round Slain Towns
Deuteronomy 21
1. The Atonement for an Unsolved Murder
10. The usage of a captive taken to wife
15. The firstborn is not to be disinherited upon private affection
18. A rebellious son is to be stoned to death
22. The malefactor must not hang all night on a tree














your elders and judges
In ancient Israel, the "elders and judges" were key figures in maintaining justice and order within the community. The Hebrew word for "elders" is *zaqen*, which refers to those who are older and possess wisdom and experience. The "judges," or *shaphat*, were responsible for making legal decisions and ensuring that God's laws were upheld. This phrase highlights the importance of leadership and accountability in the community, emphasizing that those in positions of authority must actively engage in resolving issues and maintaining justice.

must come out
The phrase "must come out" indicates a proactive approach required by the leaders. It suggests that justice is not a passive endeavor but requires active participation and initiative. The Hebrew verb *yatsa* implies movement and action, underscoring the responsibility of the leaders to address the situation directly. This reflects the biblical principle that justice and righteousness are not merely theoretical concepts but require tangible actions and decisions.

measure the distance
"Measure the distance" involves a precise and careful assessment of the situation. The Hebrew word *madad* means to measure or stretch out, indicating a methodical and deliberate process. This action symbolizes the pursuit of truth and accuracy in judgment. It serves as a reminder that justice must be based on careful consideration and evidence, not on assumptions or biases. The act of measuring also reflects the biblical theme of fairness and impartiality in judgment.

from the victim
The term "victim" refers to the individual who has suffered harm or injustice. In this context, it is a person found dead under mysterious circumstances. The Hebrew word *chalal* can mean slain or fatally wounded, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. This highlights the value of human life in biblical law and the community's responsibility to seek justice for those who cannot speak for themselves. It underscores the biblical mandate to protect the innocent and uphold the sanctity of life.

to the neighboring cities
The phrase "to the neighboring cities" indicates the communal responsibility in addressing the crime. The Hebrew word *ayar* refers to cities or towns, suggesting that the issue is not isolated but involves the broader community. This reflects the biblical principle of collective responsibility, where neighboring communities are called to participate in the pursuit of justice. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of society and the need for cooperation in upholding God's laws and ensuring peace and order.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
your elders
זְקֵנֶ֖יךָ (zə·qê·ne·ḵā)
Adjective - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2205: Old

and judges
וְשֹׁפְטֶ֑יךָ (wə·šō·p̄ə·ṭe·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

must come out
וְיָצְא֥וּ (wə·yā·ṣə·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

and measure the distance
וּמָדְדוּ֙ (ū·mā·ḏə·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4058: To stretch, to measure, to be extended

from the victim
הֶחָלָֽל׃ (he·ḥā·lāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the neighboring
סְבִיבֹ֥ת (sə·ḇî·ḇōṯ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

cities.
הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים (he·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 21:2 Then your elders and your judges shall (Deut. De Du)
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