Deuteronomy 21:2

Amharic Dawro DFBE (ጌሻ ማጻፋ) No Year

ህንተ ዳናቱነ ህንተ ጭማቱ ቢደ፥ ሄዋ ዩሹዋን ደእያ ካታማቱዋፐነ ሄ አሃፐ ግዱዋን ደእያ ሃኮተ ልክኖ።

What Does This Mean?

This verse is part of instructions on what to do when a person is found murdered. The elders and judges measure the distance to nearby cities to determine which city is closest to the slain person. This helps identify the area responsible for the investigation.

Explained for Children

Imagine if someone found a lost puppy in the park. The grown-ups measure how far each neighborhood is from where the puppy was found to decide which neighborhood should help look for the puppy's home.

Historical Background

This text is from Deuteronomy, written by Moses around 1250 BC. It was spoken to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The cultural setting emphasizes communal responsibility and justice.

Living It Out Today

Today, this verse can remind us of the importance of taking responsibility in our communities. For instance, if a community finds a problem like pollution in a local park, it should collectively work to address and solve it.

Topics

• justice
• responsibility
• community
• investigation
• guidance
• elders

Related Verses

• Joshua 20:2
• Numbers 35:12
• Joshua 21:13
• 2 Chronicles 19:11
• Matthew 18:28

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of this verse?

The main purpose is to establish a procedure for determining which city is responsible for investigating the death of an unknown person found in their territory.

How does this verse relate to community responsibility?

It highlights the collective responsibility of communities to ensure justice and to take care of issues that arise within their territory, reflecting a sense of communal duty.

Why measure to the cities?

Measuring to the cities helps identify the nearest city to the slain person, which then bears the primary responsibility for the investigation and resolution.

How can this verse guide us today?

It encourages communities to take responsibility for issues within their areas, fostering a sense of collective duty and community justice in modern settings.