CINXE.COM

<!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 21:12 Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/21-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/02_Exo_21_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 21:12 - Personal Injury Laws" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely 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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/21-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/21-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/21-11.htm" title="Exodus 21:11">◄</a> Exodus 21:12 <a href="/exodus/21-13.htm" title="Exodus 21:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“He who strikes someone so that he dies shall certainly be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Whoever strikes a man so that he dies must 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 />“Whoever strikes a person so that he dies must 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 />Whoever strikes a person so that he dies must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that smiteth a man, so that he dieth, shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Death is the punishment for murder. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Whoever strikes someone and kills him must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Whoever hits someone and kills him is to be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Whoever strikes a man so that he dies is certainly to be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Whoever strikes someone so that he dies must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that smiteth a man, so that he dieth, shall be surely put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He who strikes a man so that he has died is certainly put to death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'He who smiteth a man so that he hath died, is certainly put to death;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He striking a man and he died, dying, he shall die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that striketh a man with a will to kill him, shall be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever strikes a man, intending to murder, shall be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whoever strikes someone a mortal blow must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever strikes a person mortally shall be put to death.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He who strikes a man and the man dies, shall certainly be killed.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that smiteth a man, so that he dieth, shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if any man smite another and he die, let him be certainly put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/21-12.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=5240" 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">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: mak·kêh (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-msc) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">Whoever strikes</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: wā·mêṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">and kills</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/4191.htm" title="4191: mō·wṯ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">must surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yū·māṯ (V-Hofal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">be put to death.</a> </span><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.…<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="/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="/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="/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="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21</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.’<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="/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/17-6.htm">Deuteronomy 17:6</a></span><br />On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.<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="/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="/acts/25-11.htm">Acts 25:11</a></span><br />If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10-11</a></span><br />“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. / Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-31.htm">1 Kings 2:31-32</a></span><br />And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-18.htm">Matthew 19:18</a></span><br />“Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-19.htm">Mark 10:19</a></span><br />You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.’”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that smites a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13</a></b></br> Thou shalt not kill.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></b></br> Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/24-17.htm">Leviticus 24:17</a></b></br> And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/20-13.htm">Death</a> <a href="/acts/7-24.htm">Death-Blow</a> <a href="/exodus/20-19.htm">Die</a> <a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Died</a> <a href="/genesis/27-10.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/exodus/1-6.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/exodus/21-9.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/genesis/4-15.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/exodus/2-12.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/genesis/32-8.htm">Strikes</a> <a href="/revelation/9-5.htm">Striketh</a> <a href="/exodus/19-13.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Death-Blow</a> <a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Die</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/exodus/21-35.htm">Dieth</a> <a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Strikes</a> <a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Striketh</a> <a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Surely</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>Whoever strikes and kills a man</b><br>This phrase establishes the principle of intentionality and action leading to death. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this reflects the value placed on human life and the seriousness of taking it. The Hebrew legal system, as seen in the Torah, often distinguishes between intentional and unintentional acts, with different consequences for each. This principle is echoed in <a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a>, where God establishes the sanctity of human life by stating that whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed, for humans are made in the image of God.<p><b>must surely be put to death</b><br>This phrase indicates the prescribed punishment for murder, reflecting the lex talionis, or the law of retribution, which is a common theme in biblical law. The death penalty for murder underscores the gravity of the crime and serves as a deterrent. This principle is consistent with other ancient legal codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi, which also prescribes death for certain offenses. In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the understanding of the law by addressing the heart's intent, as seen in <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a>, where He speaks against anger and hatred, which can lead to murder. This punishment also foreshadows the ultimate justice and judgment that Christ will bring, as He is the fulfillment of the law and the one who will judge the living and the dead.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Exodus, who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai and delivered it to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The recipients of the Law, God's chosen people, who were being formed into a nation with a distinct legal and moral code.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where God gave the Law to Moses, establishing a covenant with the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine lawgiver, establishing justice and order among His people through the commandments.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>A set of rules given to the Israelites, including moral, ceremonial, and civil laws, to guide their conduct and relationship with God and others.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/sanctity_of_life.htm">Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>Human life is sacred because it is created in the image of God. This command underscores the value God places on life and the seriousness of taking it unlawfully.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_accountability.htm">Justice and Accountability</a></b><br>God's law establishes a system of justice that holds individuals accountable for their actions, reflecting His character as a just and righteous judge.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/deterrence_of_evil.htm">Deterrence of Evil</a></b><br>The command serves as a deterrent to prevent violence and maintain order within the community, promoting peace and safety.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heart_matters.htm">Heart Matters</a></b><br>While the law addresses external actions, Jesus teaches that the root of murder lies in the heart, challenging believers to examine their attitudes and emotions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_authority.htm">Role of Authority</a></b><br>God ordains governing authorities to uphold justice, and believers are called to respect and support their role in maintaining law and order.<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/what's_the_bible's_view_on_execution.htm">What is the Bible's stance on capital punishment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_death_penalty.htm">What is the Bible's stance on the death penalty?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_torah_laws_mirror_mesopotamian_codes.htm">Why do the laws of the Torah resemble earlier Mesopotamian legal codes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_exodus_21_laws_were_used.htm">Historically or archaeologically, is there evidence that these specific slave and injury laws were widely practiced as described in Exodus 21?</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>(12-14) <span class= "bld">He that smiteth a man, so that he die.</span>--Homicide had been broadly and generally forbidden in the sixth commandment. But something more was necessary. Laws are for the most part inoperative unless they are enforced by penalties; and for every case of homicide the same penalty would not be fitting. Accordingly we have here, first, the assignment of the death penalty for homicide of the first degree, <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>murder; and secondly, the provision of a refuge for homicide of the second degree, <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>manslaughter, or death by misadventure. The death penalty for murder had already received Divine sanction in the injunctions given to Noah (<a href="/genesis/9-6.htm" title="Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.">Genesis 9:6</a>). Tradition, backed up by conscience, had made it an almost universal law. The Sinaitic legislation adopted the law into the national code, and lent it additional force by the proviso, which we know to have been carried out in practice (<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>), that the<p>Murderer was even to be torn from God's altar, if he took refuge there.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 12-14.</span> - <span class="accented">Homicide</span>. Ver. 12 reiterates the Sixth Commandment, and adds to it a temporal penalty - "he shall surely be put to death." The substance of this law had already been given to Noah in the words, "Whoso sheddeth man' s blood, <span class="accented">by man shall his blood be shed"</span> (<a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a>). Real murder, with deliberate intent, was under no circumstances to be pardoned. The murderer was even to be torn from the altar, if he took refuge there, and relentlessly punished (ver. 14). See the case of Joab (<a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">1 Kings 2:28-34</a>). But, if a man happened suddenly upon his enemy, without having sought the opportunity, and slew him (ver. 13), then the case was one not of murder, but at most of manslaughter, or possibly of justifiable homicide. No legal penalty was assigned to such offences. They were left to the rude justice of established custom, which required "the avenger of blood" to visit them with due retribution. According to the general practice of the Eastern nations, he might either insist on life for life or take a money compensation. With this custom, deeply ingrained into the minds of the Oriental people, the law did not meddle. It was content to interpose between the avenger of blood and his victim the chance of reaching an asylum. Places were appointed, whither the shedder of blood might flee, and where he might be safe until his cause was tried before the men of his own city (<a href="/numbers/35-22.htm">Numbers 35:22-25</a>), and afterwards, if the judgment were in his favour. Some particular part of the camp was probably made an asylum in the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/21-12.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">Whoever strikes</span><br /><span class="heb">מַכֵּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(mak·kêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and kills</span><br /><span class="heb">וָמֵ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(wā·mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<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 /><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">must surely</span><br /><span class="heb">מ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<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 /><br /><span class="word">be put to death.</span><br /><span class="heb">יוּמָֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(yū·māṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<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/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">OT Law: Exodus 21:12 One who strikes a man so that (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/21-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 21:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:13" /></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>