Exodus 21:12

Laws About Harming Others

12 "You can be sure that if anyone hits and kills someone else, he will 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 "What if he marries another woman? He must still give the first one her food and clothes and make love to her.

11 If he does not provide her with those three things, she can go free. She does not have to pay anything.

12 "You can be sure that if anyone hits and kills someone else, he will be put to death.

13 Suppose he did not do it on purpose. Suppose I let it happen. Then he can escape to a place I will choose.

14 But suppose he kills someone on purpose. Then take him away from my altar and put him to death.