Deuteronomy 22:8
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
When you build a new house, then you shall make a battlement for your roof, that you bring not blood on your house, if any man fall from there.
American King James Version (AKJV)
When you build a new house, then you shall make a battlement for your roof, that you bring not blood on your house, if any man fall from there.
American Standard Version (ASV)
When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thy house, if any man fall from thence.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
If you are building a house, make a railing for the roof, so that the blood of any man falling from it will not come on your house.
Webster's Revision
When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou mayest not bring blood upon thy house, if any man shall fall from thence.
World English Bible
When you build a new house, then you shall make a battlement for your roof, that you don't bring blood on your house, if any man fall from there.
English Revised Version (ERV)
When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.
Definitions for Deuteronomy 22:8
Clarke's Deuteronomy 22:8 Bible Commentary
A battlement for thy roof - Houses in the East are in general built with flat roofs, and on them men walk to enjoy the fresh air, converse together, sleep, etc.; it was therefore necessary to have a sort of battlement or balustrade to prevent persons from falling off. If a man neglected to make a sufficient defense against such accidents, and the death of another was occasioned by it, the owner of the house must be considered in the light of a murderer.
Barnes's Deuteronomy 22:8 Bible Commentary
The roofs of houses in Palestine were flat and used for various purposes. Compare Joshua 2:6; 2 Samuel 11:2; Acts 10:9, etc. A battlement was almost a necessary protection. It was to be, according to the rabbis, at least two cubits high (about 3 ft.).
Wesley's Deuteronomy 22:8 Bible Commentary
22:8 A battlement — A fence or breastwork, because the roofs of their houses were made flat, that men might walk on them.
Blood — The guilt of blood, by a man's fall from the top of thy house, thro' thy neglect of this necessary provision. The Jew's say, that by the equity of this law, they are obliged, and so are we, to fence or remove every thing, whereby life may he endangered, as wells, or bridges, lest if any perish thro' our omission, their blood be required at our hand.