Deuteronomy 21:7-9
21:7 Then they must proclaim, “Our hands have not spilled this blood, nor have we 1 witnessed the crime. 2
21:8 Do not blame 3 your people Israel whom you redeemed, O Lord, and do not hold them accountable for the bloodshed of an innocent person.” 4 Then atonement will be made for the bloodshed.
21:9 In this manner you will purge out the guilt of innocent blood from among you, for you must do what is right before 5 the Lord.
1 tn Heb “our eyes.” This is a figure of speech known as synecdoche in which the part (the eyes) is put for the whole (the entire person).
2 tn Heb “seen”; the implied object (the crime committed) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Heb “Atone for.”
4 tn Heb “and do not place innocent blood in the midst of your people Israel.”
5 tn Heb “in the eyes of” (so ASV, NASB, NIV).