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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 21:14 But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/21-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/02_Exo_21_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 21:14 - Personal Injury Laws" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If, however, someone is enraged against his neighbor, so as to kill him in a cunning way, you are to take him <i>even</i> from My altar, to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If, 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him <i>even</i> from My altar, that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him by deceit, you shall take him <i>even</i> from My altar, that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But if a man acts intentionally against another and kills him by [design through] treachery, you are to take him from My altar [to which he may have fled for protection], so that he may be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a person schemes and willfully acts against his neighbor to murder him, you must take him from my altar to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a person schemes and willfully acts against his neighbor to murder him, you must take him from My altar to be put to death.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you plan in advance to murder someone, there's no escape, not even by holding on to my altar. You will be dragged off and killed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But whenever someone becomes so angry that he plans to kill his neighbor, you must take him away from my altar and put him to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But when someone gets angry and deliberately kills someone else, he is to be put to death, even if he has run to my altar for safety. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If a man acts deliberately against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you are to take him to die even if he's at my altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But if a man willfully attacks his neighbor to kill him cunningly, you will take him even from my altar that he may die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If a man schemes and comes presumptuously on his neighbor to kill him, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But if a man shall come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from my altar, that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If a man schemes and comes presumptuously on his neighbor to kill him, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And when a man presumes against his neighbor to slay him with subtlety, you take him from My altar to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And when a man doth presume against his neighbour to slay him with subtilty, from Mine altar thou dost take him to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if a man shall act proudly against his friend to kill him with craftiness, from mine altar shalt thou take him to die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If a man kill his neighbour on set purpose and by lying in wait for him: thou shalt take him away from my altar, that he may die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If someone murders his neighbor with deliberation, by lying in wait, you shall tear him away from my altar, so that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But when someone kills a neighbor after maliciously scheming to do so, you must take him even from my altar and put him to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But if someone willfully attacks and kills another by treachery, you shall take the killer from my altar for execution.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But if a man ventures to attack his neighbor and slay him treacherously, you shall take him even from my altar to put him to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if a man will presume against his neighbor and will kill him by treachery, take him from the presence of my altar to kill him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from Mine altar, that he may die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if any one lie in wait for his neighbour to slay him by craft, and he go for refuge, thou shalt take him from my altar to put him to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/21-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5253" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Personal Injury Laws</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: wə·ḵî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">But if</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/6195.htm" title="6195: ḇə·‘ā·rə·māh (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Craftiness, prudence. Feminine of orem; trickery; or discretion.">schemes</a> <a href="/hebrew/2102.htm" title="2102: yā·ziḏ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- Or ziyd; a primitive root; to seethe; figuratively, to be insolent.">and acts willfully</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘ê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">his neighbor</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: lə·hā·rə·ḡōw (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">to kill him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: tiq·qā·ḥen·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">you must take him</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: mê·‘im (Prep-m) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">away from</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bə·ḥî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">My altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: lā·mūṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">to be put to death.</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>Whoever strikes his father or mother must surely be put to death.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-16.htm">Numbers 35:16-21</a></span><br />If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / If anyone has in his hand a deadly object of wood, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-11.htm">Deuteronomy 19:11-13</a></span><br />If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></span><br />Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-17.htm">Leviticus 24:17</a></span><br />And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30-31</a></span><br />If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness. / You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/27-24.htm">Deuteronomy 27:24</a></span><br />‘Cursed is he who strikes down his neighbor in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">1 Kings 2:28-34</a></span><br />When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-52.htm">Matthew 26:52</a></span><br />“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a></span><br />For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-24.htm">Acts 7:24</a></span><br />And when he saw one of them being mistreated, Moses went to his defense and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian who was oppressing him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-15.htm">1 John 3:15</a></span><br />Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/13-10.htm">Revelation 13:10</a></span><br />“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/4-8.htm">Genesis 4:8-10</a></span><br />Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. / And the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I do not know!” he answered. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” / “What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-9.htm">2 Samuel 12:9</a></span><br />Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But if a man come presumptuously on his neighbor, to slay him with guile; you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.</p><p class="hdg">presumptuously</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/15-30.htm">Numbers 15:30,31</a></b></br> But the soul that doeth <i>ought</i> presumptuously, <i>whether he be</i> born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/1-43.htm">Deuteronomy 1:43</a></b></br> So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">Deuteronomy 17:12,13</a></b></br> And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel… </p><p class="hdg">slay</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-20.htm">Numbers 35:20,21</a></b></br> But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/27-24.htm">Deuteronomy 27:24</a></b></br> Cursed <i>be</i> he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/3-27.htm">2 Samuel 3:27</a></b></br> And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth <i>rib</i>, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.</p><p class="hdg">take him</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/1-50.htm">1 Kings 1:50,51</a></b></br> And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">1 Kings 2:28-34</a></b></br> Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/11-15.htm">2 Kings 11:15</a></b></br> But Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/12-26.htm">Act</a> <a href="/exodus/7-4.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/exodus/20-26.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/genesis/32-8.htm">Attacks</a> <a href="/acts/7-19.htm">Craftily</a> <a href="/genesis/49-5.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-5.htm">Deliberately</a> <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/34-13.htm">Guile</a> <a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">However</a> <a href="/exodus/20-13.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/exodus/11-7.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/jude/1-9.htm">Presume</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Presumptuously</a> <a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-11.htm">Schemes</a> <a href="/exodus/12-23.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/genesis/27-35.htm">Subtilty</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-5.htm">Willfully</a> <a href="/romans/6-17.htm">y</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/22-2.htm">Act</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-2.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/exodus/24-4.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Attacks</a> <a href="/joshua/9-4.htm">Craftily</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-4.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/romans/2-9.htm">Deliberately</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Die</a> <a href="/psalms/32-2.htm">Guile</a> <a href="/exodus/21-19.htm">However</a> <a href="/exodus/22-1.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/exodus/22-1.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/exodus/22-7.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/numbers/14-44.htm">Presume</a> <a href="/numbers/15-30.htm">Presumptuously</a> <a href="/exodus/32-14.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/job/5-13.htm">Schemes</a> <a href="/exodus/22-24.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-19.htm">Subtilty</a> <a href="/psalms/78-18.htm">Willfully</a> <a href="/leviticus/4-27.htm">y</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-1.htm">Laws for men servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">For the servant whose ear is bored</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">For women servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">For manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">For kidnappers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-17.htm">For cursers of parents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">For smiters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">For a hurt by chance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">For an ox that gores</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">For him who is an occasion of harm</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him</b><br>This phrase addresses premeditated murder, distinguishing it from accidental killing. The Hebrew word for "schemes" implies planning and intent, highlighting the seriousness of the crime. In ancient Israel, the intent behind an action was crucial in determining guilt and punishment. This reflects the broader biblical principle that God judges the heart and intentions (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>). The commandment "You shall not murder" (<a href="/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13</a>) is foundational here, emphasizing the sanctity of life. The cultural context of the time demanded strict justice to maintain social order and deter violence.<p><b>you must take him away from My altar</b><br>The altar in ancient Israel was a place of refuge, where individuals could seek asylum (<a href="/1_kings/1-50.htm">1 Kings 1:50-53</a>). However, this provision did not apply to those guilty of intentional murder. The altar's role as a place of mercy and sacrifice is significant, yet justice prevails over sanctuary in cases of willful murder. This reflects the balance between mercy and justice in God's character. The altar's centrality in worship and community life underscores the gravity of removing someone from its protection, indicating the severity of the crime.<p><b>to be put to death</b><br>The prescribed punishment for premeditated murder is capital punishment, reflecting the principle of lex talionis, or "an eye for an eye" (<a href="/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23-25</a>). This principle was intended to ensure justice and proportionality in punishment. The death penalty for murder underscores the value of human life, made in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a>). In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills the law and emphasizes forgiveness and transformation of the heart (<a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a>), yet the seriousness of sin and the need for justice remain. This passage highlights the tension between justice and mercy, a theme central to the gospel message.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_man_who_schemes.htm">The Man Who Schemes</a></b><br>This refers to an individual who premeditates and carries out the act of murder. The Hebrew word used here implies intentionality and planning.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_neighbor.htm">The Neighbor</a></b><br>This is the victim of the premeditated murder. In the context of ancient Israel, a neighbor would be a fellow member of the community or tribe.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a></b><br>The altar represents a place of worship and sanctuary. In ancient Israel, it was believed to be a place where one could seek refuge or mercy from God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_act_of_deliberate_killing.htm">The Act of Deliberate Killing</a></b><br>This event is a serious crime in the eyes of God, as it involves intentional harm against another person, violating the commandment against murder.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_command_to_execute_justice.htm">The Command to Execute Justice</a></b><br>The directive to take the murderer away from the altar and put him to death underscores the seriousness of the crime and the importance of justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_life.htm">The Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>Human life is sacred because it is created in the image of God. Premeditated murder is a grave sin that violates this sanctity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_mercy.htm">Justice and Mercy</a></b><br>While God's altar is a place of mercy, justice must still be served. The balance between justice and mercy is a recurring theme in Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intentions_of_the_heart.htm">Intentions of the Heart</a></b><br>God judges not only actions but also the intentions behind them. Believers are called to examine their hearts and motives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The community has a role in upholding justice and ensuring that God's laws are followed. This includes taking action against those who commit serious crimes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law.htm">The Role of the Law</a></b><br>The law serves to maintain order and reflect God's standards of righteousness. It points to the need for a Savior who fulfills the law perfectly.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_support_re-baptism.htm">What are the laws in the Covenant Code?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_natural_religion.htm">What is the purpose of the Brazen Altar?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_sanctuary_movement.htm">What defines the Sanctuary Movement?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_accept_jezebel's_false_witness_orders.htm">Why would local elders and nobles so easily accept Jezebel's instructions to bear false witness, considering the legal necessities outlined in 1 Kings 21:8-13?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) <span class= "bld">If a man come presumptuously.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">if a man come maliciously, </span>or <span class= "ital">with premeditation. </span>(Vulg., <span class= "ital">de industria.</span>)<p><span class= "bld">Thou shalt take him from mine altar.</span>--Comp. <a href="/context/1_kings/2-28.htm" title="Then tidings came to Joab: for Joab had turned after Adonijah, though he turned not after Absalom. And Joab fled to the tabernacle of the LORD, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.">1Kings 2:28-34</a>. In most parts of the ancient world a scruple was felt about putting criminals to death when once they had taken sanctuary, and those who did so were regarded as accursed (Herod. v. 71, 72; Thucyd. i. 126; Plut. <span class= "ital">Vit. Sol., </span>? 12). The Mosaic Law regarded this scruple as a superstition, and refused to sanction it.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Presumptuously</span>. Or "proudly," "arrogantly." <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt take him from mine altar</span>. See the comment on ver. 12. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/21-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But if</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכִֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֛ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">schemes</span><br /><span class="heb">בְעָרְמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·‘ā·rə·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6195.htm">Strong's 6195: </a> </span><span class="str2">Trickery, discretion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and acts willfully</span><br /><span class="heb">יָזִ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ziḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2102.htm">Strong's 2102: </a> </span><span class="str2">To boil up, seethe, act proudly or presumptuously or rebelliously</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his neighbor</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵעֵ֖הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(rê·‘ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to kill him,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהָרְג֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·hā·rə·ḡōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> </span><span class="str2">To smite with deadly intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you must take him</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּקָּחֶ֖נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tiq·qā·ḥen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">away from</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵעִ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(mê·‘im)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My altar</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבְּחִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(miz·bə·ḥî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be put to death.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָמֽוּת׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/21-14.htm">Exodus 21:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">OT Law: Exodus 21:14 If a man schemes and comes presumptuously (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/21-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 21:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>