Deuteronomy 21:1

Laws Concerning Unsolved Murder

21:1 If a homicide victim ¹  should be found lying in a field in the land the Lord your God is giving you, ²  and no one knows who killed ³  him,

Deuteronomy 22:4

22:4 When you see ⁴  your neighbor’s donkey or ox fallen along the road, do not ignore it; ⁵  instead, you must be sure ⁶  to help him get the animal on its feet again. ⁷ 

[21:1]  ¹ tn Heb “slain [one].” The term חָלָל (khalal) suggests something other than a natural death (cf. Num 19:16; 23:24; Jer 51:52; Ezek 26:15; 30:24; 31:17-18).

[21:1]  ² tn The Hebrew text includes “to possess it,” but this has not been included in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[21:1]  ³ tn Heb “struck,” but in context a fatal blow is meant; cf. NLT “who committed the murder.”

[22:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “you must not see.” See note at 22:1.

[22:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “and (must not) hide yourself from them.”

[22:4]  ⁶ tn The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with “be sure.”

[22:4]  ⁷ tn Heb “help him to lift them up.” In keeping with English style the singular is used in the translation, and the referent (“the animal”) has been specified for clarity.