Exodus 21:12-14

Personal Injuries

12 “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.

13 However, if it is not done intentionally, but God lets it happen, they are to flee to a place I will designate.

14 But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately, that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.

Exodus 21:12-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 21

In this, and the two following chapters, are delivered various laws and precepts, partly of a moral, and partly of a religious, but chiefly of a civil nature, respecting the commonwealth of Israel, and its political good. This chapter treats of servants, and laws relating to them; to menservants, how long they shall serve, and what is to be done to those who are desirous of staying with their masters after their time is up, Ex 21:1-6, to maidservants, and especially betrothed ones, either to a father or a son, Ex 21:7-11, likewise it contains laws concerning the slaughter of men, whether with design or unawares, Ex 21:12-14, and concerning the ill usage of parents, Ex 21:15,17, and man stealing, Ex 21:16 and of mischief that comes by men's quarrelling and fighting, Ex 21:18,19 and by smiting a man or maidservant, Ex 21:20,21,26,27, to a woman with child, that is, by means of men's striving and contending with each other, Ex 21:22-25 and of damages that come by oxen, or to them, Ex 21:28-36.

Cross References

• 1. ver 15,17; S Genesis 4:14,23; Genesis 9:6; Exodus 31:15; Leviticus 20:9,10; Leviticus 24:16; Leviticus 27:29; Numbers 1:51; Numbers 35:16,30-31; Deuteronomy 13:5; Deuteronomy 19:11; Deuteronomy 22:22; Deuteronomy 27:16; Job 31:11; Proverbs 20:20; S Matthew 26:52
• 2. Numbers 35:10-34; Deuteronomy 4:42; Deuteronomy 19:2-13; Joshua 20:9; 1Sa 24:4,10,18
• 3. Genesis 4:8; Numbers 35:20; 2 Samuel 3:27; 2 Samuel 20:10; Hebrews 10:26
• 4. Deuteronomy 19:11-12; 1 Kings 2:28-34