King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 21:3 Mean?

Deuteronomy 21:3 in the King James Version says “And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer , whi...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Deuteronomy 21:3 · 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;

4

And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:

5

And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried: word: Heb. mouth

Read Deuteronomy 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The nearest city must provide the heifer for the cleansing ritual. This cost creates incentive for communities to maintain safety and pursue justice - negligence has tangible consequences.

The specific requirement of a heifer which hath not been wrought with indicates an unused animal, suitable for sacred purpose. Like sacrificial animals, the heifer for this ritual must be unblemished and unused for common work.

That it has not drawn in the yoke emphasizes its separation from ordinary labor. What serves sacred purpose must be set apart from common use, even though this particular ritual differs from temple sacrifices.

The young heifer represents valuable economic resource. This ritual requires real cost, not mere token gesture - the community bears tangible consequence for failing to prevent or solve the murder.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Heifers (young female cattle) had significant economic value as potential breeding stock. Requiring an unused heifer ensured the ritual involved genuine sacrifice, not disposing of useless animals.

The similarity to sacrificial requirements (unblemished, unused) despite this not being a temple offering demonstrates that sacred rituals outside the sacrificial system still required appropriate reverence.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does requiring valuable unused animal teach about the cost of addressing evil?
  2. How does economic consequence create incentive for communities to maintain safety and justice?
  3. Why must even non-sacrificial sacred rituals use set-apart, unblemished animals?
  4. What does genuine cost versus token gesture reveal about appropriate response to serious evil?
  5. How does this principle apply to contemporary community responsibility for addressing crime and injustice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְהָיָ֣ה1 of 19
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָעִ֨יר2 of 19

“And it shall be that the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַקְּרֹבָ֖ה3 of 19

“which is next”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

אֶל4 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֶֽחָלָ֑ל5 of 19

“unto the slain man”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

וְלָֽקְח֡וּ6 of 19

“shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

זִקְנֵי֩7 of 19

“even the elders”

H2205

old

הָעִ֨יר8 of 19

“And it shall be that the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַהִ֜וא9 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

עֶגְלַ֣ת10 of 19
H5697

a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e., a heifer)

בָּקָ֗ר11 of 19

“an heifer”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

אֲשֶׁ֤ר12 of 19
H834

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

לֹֽא13 of 19
H3808

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

עֻבַּד֙14 of 19

“which hath not been wrought with”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

בָּ֔הּ15 of 19
H0
אֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 19
H834

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

לֹֽא17 of 19
H3808

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

מָשְׁכָ֖ה18 of 19

“and which hath not drawn”

H4900

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

בְּעֹֽל׃19 of 19

“in the yoke”

H5923

a yoke (as imposed on the neck), 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 21:3 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 21:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 19:2Jeremiah 31:18Matthew 11:28-30Philippians 2:8

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