Exodus 21:12 kjv
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Exodus 21:12 nkjv
"He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.
Exodus 21:12 niv
"Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.
Exodus 21:12 esv
"Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.
Exodus 21:12 nlt
"Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death.
Exodus 21 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 9:6 | "Whoso shedde th man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed..." | Noahic Covenant, sanctity of life, divine justice |
| Num 35:16 | "And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die..." | Intentional murder, capital punishment |
| Num 35:30-31 | "Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death..." | Requirements for witnesses, no ransom for murder |
| Deut 19:11-13 | "But if any man hate his neighbour... and lieth in wait for him..." | Premeditated murder, no mercy |
| Deut 5:17 | "Thou shalt not kill." | Sixth Commandment, basis of the law |
| Lev 24:17 | "And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death." | Reinforcement of the law |
| Matt 5:21-22 | "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill..." | Christ broadens understanding to anger |
| Rom 13:4 | "For he is the minister of God... a revenger to execute wrath upon him..." | Government's role in enforcing justice |
| Acts 25:11 | "For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death..." | Paul acknowledging capital punishment |
| Gen 4:8-10 | Cain murdering Abel, blood crying out from the ground | First murder, divine response to bloodshed |
| Psa 10:8 | "He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places..." | Wickedness of ambush murder |
| Prov 28:17 | "A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person..." | Consequences of bloodshed |
| Isa 1:15 | "And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you..." | Unacceptable worship due to blood on hands |
| Mic 7:2 | "They all lie in wait for blood..." | Wickedness of seeking to shed blood |
| Matt 26:52 | "All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." | Violence often met with violence |
| Rev 13:10 | "He that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword." | Principle of just retribution |
| Gen 1:26-27 | "So God created man in his own image..." | Imago Dei, basis for sanctity of life |
| 1 Pet 4:15 | "But let none of you suffer as a murderer..." | Christian admonition against lawlessness |
| 1 John 3:15 | "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer..." | Spiritual application of the command |
| Num 35:22-24 | Details on distinguishing accidental from intentional killing | Contrast to intentional murder (later in Exod 21) |
Exodus 21 verses
Exodus 21 12 Meaning
Exodus 21:12 establishes a fundamental legal principle within the Mosaic covenant: the absolute prohibition against intentionally taking a human life, prescribing capital punishment as the consequence for such an act. It underscores the profound value of human life in God's eyes and the divine imperative for justice in a civil society.
Exodus 21 12 Context
Exodus chapter 21 introduces the "Book of the Covenant" (Exo 21:1–23:19), a set of civil laws delivered by God through Moses at Mount Sinai immediately following the giving of the Ten Commandments. These laws served as practical applications of the broader moral principles embodied in the Ten Commandments, guiding Israel's social, legal, and economic life as a distinct nation under God's direct governance. Verse 12 is the very first specific civil judgment presented, underscoring the paramount importance of human life and the severity of taking it. This law, dealing with capital punishment for murder, sets a foundational standard for justice within the newly formed community, distinguishing God's people by their commitment to the sanctity of life in a world often marked by casual violence and tribal retribution.
Exodus 21 12 Word analysis
- He that smiteth: The Hebrew word is nakah (נָכָה), which broadly means "to strike, beat, or hit." In this context, the accompanying phrase "so that he die" clarifies its specific and fatal outcome. It implies an active, deliberate action of causing injury.
- a man: The Hebrew is ish (אִישׁ), referring to a male human being, but by extension, any person. This emphasizes that the victim is a fellow image-bearer of God, not an animal or property. The sanctity of human life, regardless of social status, is highlighted.
- so that he die: This crucial phrase (vāmēt, וָמֵת) specifies the fatal result of the striking action. It distinguishes this law from other regulations concerning assault or injury that do not result in death. The direct consequence links the action to the extreme penalty.
- shall be surely put to death: This is a forceful legal idiom in Hebrew, using the infinitive absolute before the finite verb: môṯ yûmaṯ (מוֹת יוּמָת). It translates to "dying, he shall be caused to die," or "he shall surely die," or "he shall certainly be put to death." This grammatical construction conveys absolute certainty, inevitability, and divine imperative regarding the prescribed penalty. It leaves no room for lesser penalties, compensation, or reprieve for intentional killing.
- "He that smiteth a man so that he die": This phrase collectively defines the act of murder – a volitional action that results in the death of a human being. The focus is on the direct causal link and the outcome, setting the stage for differentiating between intentional killing (murder) and accidental killing, which is addressed in the very next verse (Exo 21:13).
Exodus 21 12 Bonus section
This verse forms the bedrock for Israel's legal system concerning bloodshed, drawing a sharp distinction between various forms of killing. While this verse focuses on intentional killing, subsequent verses (Exo 21:13) will introduce nuances, such as provisions for accidental killing, leading to cities of refuge. This demonstrates God's law to be precise and just, discerning between acts based on intent. The divine mandate for capital punishment for murder reiterates a principle seen even earlier, in the Noahic Covenant (Gen 9:6), establishing a trans-covenantal understanding of the sanctity of life and the divine role of human authority in executing justice against those who violate it. This principle finds resonance throughout the Law and the Prophets, testifying to God's enduring standard for valuing human life.
Exodus 21 12 Commentary
Exodus 21:12 presents the sternest and most foundational law regarding capital crimes in Israel's early jurisprudence. By immediately addressing murder after the Decalogue, God signals that the sanctity of human life is paramount, a reflection of man being created in God's image (Gen 9:6). The command is concise yet absolute: intentional taking of life demands the forfeiture of the murderer's own life. The emphatic Hebrew phrasing "shall surely be put to death" leaves no ambiguity, underscoring the severity of the offense and the divine demand for retributive justice. This was not about revenge, but upholding divine order and discouraging wanton bloodshed within the community. It established a moral precedent and served as a deterrent, emphasizing that human life is held precious by God, and its unauthorized taking demands the gravest penalty to maintain justice and prevent further violence.