“All the elders of that city which is nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley.”
Deuteronomy 21:6 (WEB)
Context Reading
4The elders of that city shall bring the heifer down to a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the heifer’s neck there in the valley. 5The priests the sons of Levi shall come near, for them Yahweh your God has chosen to minister to him, and to bless in Yahweh’s name; and according to their word shall every controversy and every assault be decided. 6All the elders of that city which is nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley. 7They shall answer and say, “Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. 8Forgive, Yahweh, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and don’t allow innocent blood among your people Israel.” The blood shall be forgiven them.