Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
21:1-9 The guilt of murder was usually removed through the death of the murderer (19:11-13; Num 35:30-34). However, if the murderer was unknown, the guilt could still be removed by using this ritual. 21:1 In contrast to the word translated murder in the Ten Commandments (see study note on 5:17), the Hebrew verb here translated murdered (literally pierced through) indicates clear evidence that the death was not by natural causes.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
21:1-9 The guilt of murder was usually removed through the death of the murderer (19:11-13; Num 35:30-34). However, if the murderer was unknown, the guilt could still be removed by using this ritual. 21:1 In contrast to the word translated murder in the Ten Commandments (see study note on 5:17), the Hebrew verb here translated murdered (literally pierced through) indicates clear evidence that the death was not by natural causes.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
then thine elders and thy judges shall go forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain;
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure to the cities which are around him who is slain.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Then your responsible men and your judges are to come out, and give orders for the distance from the dead body to the towns round about it to be measured;