King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 21:8 Mean?

Deuteronomy 21:8 in the King James Version says “Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Isra...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. unto thy people of: Heb. in the midst, etc”

Deuteronomy 21:8 · KJV

SalvationForgiveness

Context

6

And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:

7

And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.

8

Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. unto thy people of: Heb. in the midst, etc

9

So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.

10

When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,

Read Deuteronomy 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. The prayer for mercy acknowledges that even in innocence, the community needs divine grace. Murder in their territory, though not their fault, still defiles the land and grieves God.

The appeal whom thou hast redeemed grounds the request in God's covenant relationship. Israel belongs to God by redemption; this relationship forms the basis for requesting His mercy and cleansing. Redemption creates obligation for both parties.

The request lay not innocent blood...to...charge asks that God not hold the community guilty for this unsolved murder. Though they cannot punish the perpetrator, they seek divine absolution from blood guilt that defiles the land.

The promise the blood shall be forgiven them assures that proper ritual and genuine innocence receive divine pardon. God cleanses from blood guilt when His people approach Him rightly.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Blood guilt was serious matter in ancient Israel. Murder defiled the land (Numbers 35:33) and required cleansing either through executing the murderer or through this ritual when the murderer remained unknown.

This prayer parallels the Day of Atonement cleansing, where God forgave corporate sin and purified the land from accumulated defilement.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do even innocent communities need divine mercy when evil occurs in their territory?
  2. How does redemption relationship form the basis for requesting God's cleansing?
  3. What does this prayer teach about blood guilt defiling land beyond individual sin?
  4. How does proper ritual combined with genuine innocence receive divine forgiveness?
  5. What does this reveal about corporate responsibility for evil even when individual guilt cannot be assigned?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְנִכַּפֵּ֥ר1 of 16

“Be merciful”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

עַמְּךָ֣2 of 16

“unto thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל3 of 16

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁר4 of 16
H834

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

פָּדִ֙יתָ֙5 of 16

“whom thou hast redeemed”

H6299

to sever, i.e., ransom; generally to release, preserve

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 16

“O LORD”

H3068

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

וְאַל7 of 16
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּתֵּן֙8 of 16

“and lay”

H5414

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

הַדָּֽם׃9 of 16

“And the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

נָקִ֔י10 of 16

“not innocent”

H5355

innocent

בְּקֶ֖רֶב11 of 16

“charge”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

עַמְּךָ֣12 of 16

“unto thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל13 of 16

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְנִכַּפֵּ֥ר14 of 16

“Be merciful”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

לָהֶ֖ם15 of 16
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

הַדָּֽם׃16 of 16

“And the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

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 21:8 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 21:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jonah 1:141 Thessalonians 2:15-16Ezekiel 23:32 Samuel 3:28Jeremiah 26:15Numbers 35:33-34

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Deuteronomy 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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