Deuteronomy 21:8

Forgiveness

⁶ Then all the elders of the city nearest the victim shall wash their hands by the stream over the heifer whose neck has been broken,

⁷ and they shall declare, “Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.

Accept this atonement, O LORD, for Your people Israel whom You have redeemed, and do not hold the shedding of innocent blood against them.” And the bloodshed will be atoned for.

⁹ So you shall purge from among you the guilt of shedding innocent blood, since you have done what is right in the eyes of the LORD.

¹⁰ When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hand and you take them captive,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Accept this atonement, O LORD, for Your people Israel whom You have redeemed, and do not hold the shedding of innocent blood against them.” And the bloodshed will be atoned for.
KJV: Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.
WEB: Forgive, LORD, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and don’t allow innocent blood among your people Israel.” The blood shall be forgiven them.
ASV: Forgive, O Jehovah, thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and suffer not innocent blood [to remain] in the midst of thy people Israel. And the blood shall be forgiven them.
DARBY: Forgive thy people Israel, whom thou, Jehovah, hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood to the charge of thy people Israel; and the blood shall be expiated for them.
BLB: Receive atonement for Your people Israel, whom You have redeemed, O YHWH, and lay not innocent blood in the midst of Your people Israel.” And [for] the blood atonement shall be provided to them.

ÅB: Ta skylden bort fra ditt folk Israel, som du har forløst, Herre, og la ikke uskyldig blod komme over ditt folk Israel! Så får de soning for dette blod.
OTB: Tilgi, Herre, Ditt folk Israel som Du har forløst, og hold ikke skyld for uskyldig blod mot Ditt folk Israel.” Slik skal blodskyld bli tilgitt dem.
B1930: Ta skylden bort fra ditt folk Israel, som du har forløst, Herre, og la ikke uskyldig blod komme over ditt folk Israel! Så får de soning for dette blod.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Jonah 1:14
So they cried out to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life! Do not charge us with innocent blood! For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased.”
Read in context
2 Samuel 3:28
Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner.
Read in context
Ezekiel 23:3
and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed.
Read in context
Ezekiel 23:24–25
They will come against you with a host of peoples, with weapons, chariots, and wagons. They will array themselves against you on every side with buckler and shield and helmet. I will delegate judgment to them, and they will punish you according to their own standards.
Read in context
2 Kings 24:4
and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was unwilling to forgive.
Read in context
Psalms 19:12
Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
Read in context
Jeremiah 26:15
But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, upon this city, and upon its residents; for truly the LORD has sent me to speak all these words in your hearing.”
Read in context
1 Thessalonians 2:15–16
who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,
Read in context