Exodus 21:12

Personal Injuries

12 "¹He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely 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 he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights.

11 "If he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

12 "He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.

13 "But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee.

14 "If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 9:6; Leviticus 24:17; Numbers 35:30; Matthew 26:52