Deuteronomy 21:6

Arabic Bible AVD 1999 (الكتاب المقدس)

وَيَغْسِلُ جَمِيعُ شُيُوخِ تِلْكَ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ ٱلْقَرِيبِينَ مِنَ ٱلْقَتِيلِ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْعِجْلَةِ ٱلْمَكْسُورَةِ ٱلْعُنُقِ فِي ٱلْوَادِي،

What Does This Mean?

This verse talks about a ritual where the elders of a nearby city wash their hands over a beheaded heifer in a valley. This ritual is in response to the discovery of a slain man. The key message is about purification and taking responsibility for justice.

Explained for Children

Imagine if someone left a mess in the playground, and the teachers had to clean it up. This verse is like that, but for grown-ups. They wash their hands over a special animal to show they're cleaning themselves of guilt and doing their part to keep their town safe and fair.

Historical Background

This verse is from the book of Deuteronomy, which was written around 1250 BC. It was spoken by Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. The cultural setting involves a legal and ritualistic framework for dealing with unsolved murders.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this can be seen as a reminder for community leaders to take responsibility for justice and safety. For example, if a neighborhood has a high crime rate, the leaders might organize a community meeting to address the issues and take steps to make their area safer.

Topics

• justice
• purification
• responsibility
• eldership
• ritual
• community

Related Verses

• Numbers 19:1-10
• Joshua 15:13
• Joshua 20:1-9
• Matthew 27:24-25
• Acts 13:20

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do the elders wash their hands over the heifer?

The elders wash their hands over the heifer as a symbolic act to show their innocence and to cleanse the community of guilt associated with the unsolved murder.

What is the purpose of this ritual?

This ritual serves to purify the community and to demonstrate the elders' commitment to justice, showing that the community is not responsible for the death.

How does this relate to modern community leadership?

In modern times, this ritual can remind community leaders to take responsibility for justice and to work towards the safety and well-being of their community.

What does the heifer symbolize in this context?

The heifer symbolizes a sacrifice that helps to atone for the community, cleansing it of the guilt associated with the death of the slain man.