Bible study online

Deuteronomy 21:8

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Deuteronomy 21:8

Verse 8 of 23

Scripture focus

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.

Deuteronomy 21:8 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 21:8

Theological / Devotional

Be merciful. The word thus translated probably means “to cover.” The RSV has “forgive.” The same root in Arabic means “to cover,” “to hide.” The usual translation is “make an atonement” (Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 4:20, 26, 31, 35; 5:6, 10, 13, 18; etc.). The noun from the same root is translated “mercy seat” (Exodus 25:17-22). The idea is that a covering, for protection.

Redeemed. Literally, “purchased,” “paid the price for.” It is sometimes translated “deliver” (Job 33:28; Psalm 55:18; 69:18; 78:42; 119:134), and “rescue” (1 Samuel 14:45).

Lay. Literally, “do not permit to remain.” It may possibly be implied that the people of the vicinity were held guilty, in part, perhaps because they had not made the roads leading to their city as safe as they should have been.

So shalt thou put away. The Hebrew is emphatic: “and thou, shalt burn out,” meaning to “utterly root out,” or “consume.”

By SdaBc