Exodus 21:12

12 “Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death.

Exodus 21:12 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:12

He that smiteth a man, so that he die
The Targum of Jonathan is, that smites a man or daughter of Israel with the sword; but there is no need to restrain the words either to persons of any certain nation, nor to any instrument with which a person may be smitten as to die: but any human person, man, woman, or child, of whatsoever nation, and they smitten with anything whatever, that issues in their death:

shall surely be put to death;
by the order of the civil magistrate, and by the hand of such as shall be appointed by him; for this is the original law of God, ( Genesis 9:6 ) .

Exodus 21:12 In-Context

10 “If a man who has married a slave wife takes another wife for himself, he must not neglect the rights of the first wife to food, clothing, and sexual intimacy.

11 If he fails in any of these three obligations, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment.

12 “Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death.

13 But if it was simply an accident permitted by God, I will appoint a place of refuge where the slayer can run for safety.

14 However, if someone deliberately kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and be put to death.