Holiness and freedom from bloodguilt were emphasized by the law concerning the way to handle an unsolved murder. (De 21:1-9)

To remove the bloodguilt, the responsible city elders had to perform the procedure required by God, had to disclaim any guilt or knowledge of the murder, and had to pray to God for his mercy. (De 21:1-9)

The elders of that city then had to take a young unworked cow (as a substitute for the murderer) and break its neck in a torrent valley running with water, and over the animal they had to cleanse themselves symbolically of any responsibility by washing their hands in innocence, pleading that the charge of guilt be not laid to their account.​—De 21:1-9.

The priests would officiate in a case of unsolved murder.​—De 21:1-9.

In the case of an unsolved murder, the representative older men of the town nearest the slain one were required to kill a young cow in an uncultivated torrent valley and then wash their hands over the carcass while testifying to their innocence of the crime.​—De 21:1-9.

Nu 22:1–36:13; De 1:1–33:29

The ceremony involving the young cow would make the matter publicly known and would tend to assist in the uncovering of the murderer.​—De 21:1-9; Nu 35:30-33.

They were men who patiently heard judicial cases, enforced the various features of the Law covenant (De 21:18-21; 22:15-21; 25:7-10), abided by the divine decisions already rendered (De 19:11, 12; 21:1-9), furnished military leadership (Nu 1:16), confirmed treaties already negotiated (Jos 9:15), and, as a committee under the headship of the high priest, discharged other responsibilities (Jos 22:13-16).

When man was found slain in field and murderer could not be identified (De 21:1-9)

Instances in which oaths were required of certain persons under the Mosaic Law were: of a wife in the trial of jealousy (Nu 5:21, 22), of a bailee when property left in his care was missing (Ex 22:10, 11), of the older men of a city in the case of an unsolved murder (De 21:1-9).

After this, the older men were to wash their hands over the young cow, denoting their innocence in regard to the murder. (De 21:1-8)