Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. Berean Literal Bible then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure to the cities that are surrounding the slain one. 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. Berean Annotated Bible your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. 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. 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: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleyour elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. 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 Versionthen your elderly and yours [of those] judging have gone out and measured to the cities which [are] around the slain one, Berean Literal Bible then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure to the cities that are surrounding 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 BibleThy 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 BibleThen 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 1917then 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 Murder1If 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 your elders and judges Numbers 11:16 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. Deuteronomy 16:18 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. 2 Chronicles 19:5 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. must come out Deuteronomy 19:12 the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. Leviticus 24:14 “Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and have all who heard him lay their hands on his head; then have the whole assembly stone him. Numbers 15:35-36 And the LORD said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death. The whole congregation is to stone him outside the camp.” / So the whole congregation took the man outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses. and measure the distance Zechariah 2:1-2 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. / “Where are you going?” I asked. “To measure Jerusalem,” he replied, “and to determine its width and length.” Ezekiel 40:3 So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze. He was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand. Revelation 11:1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there. from the victim Numbers 35:11 designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. Deuteronomy 19:4 Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him: Joshua 20:3 so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. to the neighboring cities. Numbers 35:2-5 “Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. / The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock. / The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the wall on every side. … Joshua 21:42 Each of these cities had its own surrounding pasturelands; this was true for all the cities. 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.” 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: … Jump to Previous Body Cities Dead Distance Elders Judges Measure Neighboring Orders Responsible Round Slain TownsJump to Next Body Cities Dead Distance Elders Judges Measure Neighboring Orders Responsible Round Slain TownsDeuteronomy 21 1. The Atonement for an Unsolved Murder10. 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, elders and judges were respected leaders responsible for maintaining justice and order within the community. Elders were typically older, wise men who held authority in local matters, while judges were appointed to interpret and apply the law. This reflects the theocratic nature of Israelite society, where civil and religious duties were intertwined. The involvement of both elders and judges underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for communal responsibility in addressing unresolved crimes. must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities Persons / Places / Events 1. Elders and JudgesThese are the leaders and authorities within the Israelite community responsible for maintaining justice and order. They play a crucial role in resolving disputes and ensuring that God's laws are upheld. 2. Victim Refers to the person found slain in the open country, whose murderer is unknown. This situation necessitates a communal response to address the shedding of innocent blood. 3. Neighboring Cities These are the cities surrounding the location where the victim is found. The proximity of these cities to the crime scene is significant in determining responsibility and involvement in the atonement process. 4. Measurement The act of measuring the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities is a procedural step to identify which city is closest and therefore responsible for the atonement ritual. 5. Atonement Ritual Although not detailed in this specific verse, the context involves a ritual to atone for the innocent blood shed, which is further elaborated in the surrounding verses. Teaching Points Communal ResponsibilityThe passage emphasizes the role of the community in addressing sin and injustice. It is a reminder that we are accountable not only for our actions but also for the well-being of those around us. Justice and Mercy The procedure outlined in Deuteronomy 21:2 reflects God's desire for justice to be served while also providing a means for mercy and atonement. This balance is crucial in our own lives as we seek to uphold justice while extending grace. The Sanctity of Life The careful attention to the victim and the process of atonement highlight the value God places on human life. We are called to respect and protect life in all its forms. Leadership and Accountability The involvement of elders and judges underscores the importance of godly leadership and accountability in maintaining justice. Leaders are called to act with integrity and wisdom. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 21:2?2. How does Deuteronomy 21:2 emphasize the importance of justice in God's law? 3. What role do the elders play in Deuteronomy 21:2's process of measuring? 4. How can we apply the principle of community responsibility from Deuteronomy 21:2 today? 5. What other scriptures highlight the importance of justice and community responsibility? 6. How does Deuteronomy 21:2 reflect God's concern for order and righteousness? 7. What is the significance of measuring distances in Deuteronomy 21:2? 8. How does Deuteronomy 21:2 reflect ancient Israelite justice practices? 9. Why were elders and judges involved in Deuteronomy 21:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 21? 11. Who were the elders in the Old Testament? 12. Deuteronomy 21:1-9: How does sacrificing a heifer in a remote valley effectively resolve guilt for an unsolved murder? 13. In Ruth 4:1-2, is there historical evidence supporting a legal negotiation at the city gate, or could this be a literary invention? 14. What is the Bible's stance on classism? What Does Deuteronomy 21:2 Mean Historical context• Deuteronomy is Moses’ farewell instruction to Israel as they prepare to settle the land (cf. Deuteronomy 31:9-13). • God sets up safeguards for justice because Israel will live in dispersed towns; crimes may occur outside city limits. • In cases of an unsolved homicide, the Lord prescribes that “then your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities” (Deuteronomy 21:2). • This statute echoes earlier commands to purge innocent blood from the land (Numbers 35:33-34; Genesis 4:10). The role of elders and judges • Elders—senior leaders at the city gate—and judges—officials tasked with legal decisions—represent God’s authority locally (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). • By going “out,” they leave the comfort of their town to confront sin in the open field, modeling Proverbs 31:8-9: “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” • Their presence signals communal responsibility; no town can say, “Not our problem” (compare Luke 10:33, the Good Samaritan stepping toward need). The act of measuring • Measuring pinpoints the city geographically closest to the victim. • Nearest proximity = greatest accountability. This principle shows that justice is tethered to tangible communities, not vague good intentions. • Measurement requires careful, collaborative effort—elders walk the terrain together, echoing Deuteronomy 17:8-9 where difficult cases are handled jointly before the Lord. • Once the nearest city is identified, Deuteronomy 21:3-9 describes a substitutionary sacrifice (a heifer whose neck is broken) to atone for the bloodshed. Spiritual implications • God values every human life; blood guilt defiles land if left unaddressed (Leviticus 24:17; Numbers 35:31-34). • The procedure teaches corporate repentance: leaders publicly confess, “Our hands did not shed this blood” (Deuteronomy 21:7). • It foreshadows Christ, whose innocent blood cleanses wider guilt (Hebrews 12:24: “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel”). Christ-centered application • Believers today must refuse apathy toward injustice. Proximity—whether geographic or relational—obligates action (James 4:17; 1 John 3:17). • The church’s leaders should “go out” to investigate hurts within their reach, just as elders did. • Civil authorities retain God-given duty to protect life (Romans 13:1-4), yet the people of God supplement that duty with mercy ministries. • Ultimately, only the cross satisfied the full measurement of our guilt; we respond with gratitude and vigilance to preserve life (Matthew 5:21-24). summary Deuteronomy 21:2 commands local leaders to measure the distance from an unidentified murder victim to surrounding towns, making the nearest city answerable for atonement. The statute underscores God’s high view of human life, communal responsibility for justice, and anticipation of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice that removes blood guilt once for all. Hebrew your eldersזְקֵנֶ֖יךָ (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 Links Deuteronomy 21:2 NIVDeuteronomy 21:2 NLT Deuteronomy 21:2 ESV Deuteronomy 21:2 NASB Deuteronomy 21:2 KJV Deuteronomy 21:2 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 21:2 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 21:2 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 21:2 French Bible Deuteronomy 21:2 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 21:2 Then your elders and your judges shall (Deut. 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