King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 21:1 Mean?

Deuteronomy 21:1 in the King James Version says “If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not kn...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him:”

Deuteronomy 21:1 · KJV

Context

1

If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him:

2

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

3

And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer , which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;

Read Deuteronomy 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him. This law addresses unsolved murders, recognizing that sometimes guilt cannot be determined despite investigation. God provides protocol for addressing community culpability even when individual perpetrator remains unknown.

The scenario found slain...and it be not known presents legal challenge - murder has occurred but investigation cannot identify the killer. Rather than leaving this unaddressed, God prescribes ritual acknowledging the evil while declaring community innocence if they acted properly.

This demonstrates that evil affects communities corporately, not just individuals directly involved. Unsolved murder pollutes the land and requires communal response even when specific guilt cannot be assigned.

The location in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee emphasizes that this is holy territory. Murder defiles God's land, requiring purification ritual to maintain covenant relationship between God, people, and land.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient societies without forensic science, many murders went unsolved. This law prevented cycles of accusation and revenge killing when evidence was insufficient to identify the actual murderer.

The ritual cleansing maintained social order while acknowledging corporate responsibility for pursuing justice and maintaining safe communities.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this law teach about corporate responsibility for evil in the community?
  2. How does murder defile not just individuals but the land itself?
  3. Why does God provide protocol for addressing unsolved crimes?
  4. What does corporate ritual cleansing reveal about communal aspects of sin and guilt?
  5. How should communities respond to evil when individual perpetrators cannot be identified?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּֽי1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִמָּצֵ֣א2 of 16

“If one be found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

חָלָ֗ל3 of 16

“slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

בָּֽאֲדָמָה֙4 of 16

“in the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר֩5 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֨ה6 of 16

“which the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ7 of 16

“thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹתֵ֤ן8 of 16

“giveth”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֙9 of 16
H0
לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ10 of 16

“thee to possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

נֹפֵ֖ל11 of 16

“it lying”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה12 of 16

“in the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

לֹ֥א13 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נוֹדַ֖ע14 of 16

“and it be not known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מִ֥י15 of 16
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

הִכָּֽהוּ׃16 of 16

“who hath slain”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 21:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 21:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 26:21Proverbs 28:17Psalms 9:12Psalms 5:6Acts 28:4

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