KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
When you build a new house, you must put a wall or railing around your roof so that you won't be responsible for someone's death if they fall off.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is teaching that we have a responsibility to keep others safe by preventing foreseeable accidents.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, flat rooftops were commonly used as living spaces for cooking, sleeping, and socializing during hot weather. Without proper safety barriers, people could easily fall and be seriously injured or killed. This law established the principle that property owners have a moral and legal responsibility for the safety of those who visit their homes.
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