12 " He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death . 13 " But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand , then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee . 14 " If , 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 . 15 "He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death . 16 " He who kidnaps a man , whether he sells him or he is found in his possession , shall surely be put to death . 17 " He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death . 18 "If men have a quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist , and he does not die but remains in bed , 19 if he gets up and walks around outside on his staff , then he who struck him shall go unpunished ; he shall only pay for his loss of time , and shall take care of him until he is completely healed . 20 "If a man strikes his male or female slave e with a rod and he dies at his hand , he shall be punished . 21 "If , however , he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken ; for he is his property .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 21:12-21
Commentary on Exodus 21:12-21
(Read Exodus 21:12-21)
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 disobedient; and remember that God will certainly requite it, if they have ever cursed their parents, even in their hearts, or have lifted up their hands against them, except they repent, and flee for refuge to the Saviour. And let parents hence learn to be very careful in training up their children, setting them a good example, especially in the government of their passions, and in praying for them; taking heed not to provoke them to wrath. Through poverty the Israelites sometimes sold themselves or their children; magistrates sold some persons for their crimes, and creditors were in some cases allowed to sell their debtors who could not pay. But "man-stealing," the object of which is to force another into slavery, is ranked in the New Testament with the greatest crimes. Care is here taken, that satisfaction be made for hurt done to a person, though death do not follow. The gospel teaches masters to forbear, and to moderate threatenings, Job 31:13,14.