Exodus 21:12

Exodus 21:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
• New International Version (NIV)“Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.

Context of Exodus 21:12

10If her master marries another wife, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her privilege as a wife. 11If he does not do these three things for her, then shall she leave free, without payment of money. “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies must be put to death. 13However, if he did not lie in wait [for him], but God allowed him to fall into his hand, then I will establish for you a place to which he may escape [for protection until duly tried]. 14But 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.

Exodus 21:12 word by word

מַכֵּ֥ה אִ֛ישׁ וָמֵ֖ת מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He that smitethנָכָהnâkâh · to smiteH5221
• a manאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
• so that he dieמוּתmûth · to dieH4191

Cross-references for Exodus 21:12

• Exodus 20:13“You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide).
• Genesis 9:6Whoever sheds man’s blood [unlawfully], By man (judicial government) shall his blood be shed, For in the image of God He made man.
• Leviticus 24:17‘If a man takes the life of any human being [unlawfully], he shall most certainly be put to death.
• Numbers 35:16‘But if he struck his victim down [intentionally] with an iron object so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall certainly be put to death.
• Deuteronomy 19:11“But if there is a man who hates his neighbor and lies in wait and ambush for him and attacks him and strikes him down so that he dies, and the assailant escapes to one of these cities,
• 2 Samuel 12:13David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has allowed your sin to pass [without further punishment]; you shall not die.
• Matthew 26:52Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place; for all those who habitually draw the sword will die by the sword.

Commentaries on Exodus 21:12

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12The case of murder of a free man and of a bondman. See Exodus 21:20 note. The law was afterward expressly declared to relate also to foreigners, Leviticus 24:17, Leviticus 24:21-22; compare the marginal references.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-21Verses 12-21 God, who by his providence gives and maintains life, by his law protects it. A wilful murderer shall be taken even from God's altar. But God provided cities of refuge to protect those whose unhappiness it was, and not their fault, to cause the death of another; for such as by accident, when a man is doing a lawful act, without intent of hurt, happens to kill another. Let children hear the sentence of God's word upon the ungrateful and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-17The crimes of murder, kidnapping, and cursing or striking one’s parents were punished by death. A person who committed murder gave up his own right to live. Human life is very precious in God’s sight. Even when a death was accidental, it could not simply be ignored. However, the law made a difference between murder and accidental killing. God provided places of refuge (see Numbers 35:6–28). These were special towns where a person who killed someone by…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 7-367-11. if a man sell his daughter--Hebrew girls might be redeemed for a reasonable sum. But in the event of her parents or friends being unable to pay the redemption money, her owner was not at liberty to sell her elsewhere. Should she have been betrothed to him or his son, and either change their minds, a maintenance must be provided for her suitable to her condition as his intended wife, or her freedom instantly granted.Read the comment

Topics related to Exodus 21:12

• Homicide

In the dictionaries

• Book
• City
• Crucifixion
• Determine
• Gore
• Murder
• Push
• Quit
• Ransom
• Wont

Commentaries on Exodus 21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings