What is the definition of Deuteronomy 21:4?

And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley:

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Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Deuteronomy 21:4. It's a pretty serious and important verse about how to handle a dispute or situation involving property – specifically, a cow. Here’s what it means in simpler terms:
The Basic Situation:
“And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley.”
Let's unpack it piece by piece:
💎
“The elders of that city…”
: This refers to leaders or people within a specific town or community. 💎
“…shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley…”
: A “heifer” is a young cow, specifically raised for sacrifice or as part of a religious ceremony. "Bring down" means to take it – to remove it from its pasture. The “rough valley” is a desolate, barren place - think of a wild, untamed area. 💎
“which is neither eared nor sown…”
: This is crucial. It means the cow is completely isolated and not planted or cared for. It’s left to roam freely. No one is tending to it. 💎
“…and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley:”
This is the most important part. The elders are to 💎remove💎 the cow’s neck. They're taking it out of its pasture and leaving it in this isolated, barren place.
What does this verse mean, and why is it significant?
This passage is about
justice and accountability
. It describes a situation where someone has wronged another person – perhaps stolen something, lied, or abused their position. The elders are being tasked with 💎correcting💎 the wrong by taking action to remove the offending party's property (the cow).
It’s a consequence for wrongdoing:
This verse is a clear message of
punishment
. It demonstrates that those who cause harm will be held accountable, and there will be consequences for their actions. It’s not about being mean; it's about restoring order and justice.
Important Context (Briefly):
This story comes before Deuteronomy 21:17-19, which details the process of 💎exposing💎 the body of the offender to the public – a ritual that would be a powerful way to demonstrate the seriousness of the transgression. ---
Do you want me to:
💎 Explain any part of this verse in more detail? 💎 Connect it to other parts of the Bible? 💎 Discuss its historical or cultural significance?