Ver. 8. Thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof— The Jewish houses were flat-roofed, for the convenience of taking the air and discoursing together, or for meditation and prayer in little closets which they had there; and as they used to frequent this outer part so much, it is enjoined that a battlement be made for the roof. That thou bring not blood upon thine house, says the sacred writer; that is, "That thou be not, by thy neglect, the occasion of any person's death." It was on one of those flat roofs that David walked and saw Bath-sheba; and it was through one of them that the paralytic was let down before our Saviour. See Mark 2:4 on which place we shall have occasion to speak more largely concerning the mode of building in the East. Those, however, who are desirous of satisfying their curiosity, may do so, by consulting Dr. Shaw, vol. 1: p. 356. The Hebrew word, which we render battlement, is rendered by the LXX crown, στεφανη; the same word which they used in speaking of the altar, and other ornaments of the temple.
Related Commentaries of Deuteronomy 22:8
Deuteronomy 22:8
8 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.