Exodus 21:12

12 He that smites a man so that he dies shall be surely 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 he takes another wife, her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, he shall not diminish.
11 And if he does not do these three things unto her, then shall she go out free without money.
12 He that smites a man so that he dies shall be surely put to death.
13 And if a man did not lie in wait but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint thee a place where he shall flee.
14 But if a man comes presumptuously upon his neighbour to slay him with prudence, thou shalt take him from my altar that he may die.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010