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Deuteronomy 21:9

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 21:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “So shalt thou put away the innocent blood from the midst of thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

So shalt thou put away the innocent blood from the midst of thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah.
Deuteronomy 21:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And all the elders of that city, who are nearest unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley;
7and they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.
8Forgive, O Jehovah, thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and suffer not innocent blood [to remain] in the midst of thy people Israel. And the blood shall be forgiven them.
9So shalt thou put away the innocent blood from the midst of thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah.
10When thou goest forth to battle against thine enemies, and Jehovah thy God delivereth them into thy hands, and thou carriest them away captive,
11and seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and thou hast a desire unto her, and wouldest take her to thee to wife;
12then thou shalt bring her home to thy house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;
← Deuteronomy 21:8Deuteronomy 21:10 →
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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
“So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, etc.] Which otherwise, the person not being found out, and brought to just punishment for it, would devolve upon the whole. Aben Ezra interprets it the punishment of innocent blood, which, by the above method being taken, would not be inflicted on them: when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the Lord; as it was to observe this law concerning the beheading of the heifer, with all the rites and ceremonies belonging to it here enjoined; as well as every other command, statute, and ordinance of the Lord, which are all right to be done, (<191908>Psalm 19:8).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shalt thou: Deu 19:12, Deu 19:13 when thou shalt: Deu 13:18; Kg2 10:30, Kg2 10:31 Deuteronomy 21:10”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification