12 'He who smiteth a man so that he hath died, is certainly put to death; 13 as to him who hath not laid wait, and God hath brought to his hand, I have even set for thee a place whither he doth flee. 14 'And when a man doth presume against his neighbour to slay him with subtilty, from Mine altar thou dost take him to die. 15 'And he who smiteth his father or his mother is certainly put to death. 16 'And he who stealeth a man, and hath sold him, and he hath been found in his hand, is certainly put to death. 17 'And he who is reviling his father or his mother is certainly put to death. 18 'And when men contend, and a man hath smitten his neighbour with a stone, or with the fist, and he die not, but hath fallen on the bed; 19 if he rise, and hath gone up and down without on his staff, then hath the smiter been acquitted; only his cessation he giveth, and he is thoroughly healed. 20 'And when a man smiteth his man-servant or his handmaid, with a rod, and he hath died under his hand—he is certainly avenged; 21 only if he remain a day, or two days, he is not avenged, for he 'is' his money.
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.