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Deuteronomy 21:2

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 21:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:
Deuteronomy 21:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1If one be found slain in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath smitten him;
2then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:
3and it shall be, that the city which is nearest unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take a heifer of the herd, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;
4and the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the heifer`s neck there in the valley.
5And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them Jehovah thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of Jehovah; and according to their word shall every controversy and every stroke be.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, etc.] From the city or cities near to which the murder was committed, to make inquiry about it, and expiation for it; so Aben Ezra interprets it of the elders of the cities near, but others understand it of the elders of the great sanhedrim at Jerusalem; so the Targum of Jonathan, “then shall go out from the great sanhedrim two of thy wise men, and three of thy judges;” and more expressly the Misnah f258, “three go out from the great sanhedrim in Jerusalem;” R. Judah says five, “it is said “thy elders” two, and “thy judges” two,” and there is no sanhedrim or court of judicature equal (or even), therefore they add to them one more: and they…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The elders represented the citizens at large, the judges the magistracy: priests Deuteronomy 21:5 from the nearest priestly town, were likewise to be at hand. Thus, all classes would be represented at the purging away of that blood-guiltiness which until removed attached to the whole community. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thy elders and judges - Those of thy elders who are judges: the judges or rulers of all the neighbouring cities. Measure - Unless it be evident which city is nearest; for then measuring was superfluous. Deuteronomy 21:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 16:18, Deu 16:19; Rom 13:3, Rom 13:4 Deuteronomy 21:3”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 21 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification