8. Removal of blood guilt from Yahweh’s people (21:1-9)

These verses give Israel instructions on what to do about an unsolved murder. The purpose of the ritual procedures is to absolve the “blood guilt” or community guilt of the nation. The blood of an innocent victim cried out for justice from the ground (Ge 4:10) and brought covenant curses upon the people of Israel if not atoned for (v.8). Israel’s land was to remain clean, a place wherein righteousness and justice were normative. If the land became corrupt, Yahweh would cast them out of it.