Exodus 21:14 kjv

But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

Exodus 21:14 nkjv

"But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.

Exodus 21:14 niv

But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately, that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.

Exodus 21:14 esv

But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.

Exodus 21:14 nlt

However, if someone deliberately kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and be put to death.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 14 Meaning

Exodus 21:14 establishes a crucial legal distinction regarding homicide within ancient Israel. While there were provisions for unintentional killing, this verse addresses the gravest form of murder: when an individual deliberately and maliciously plots to take another person's life through treacherous means. For such an heinous crime, the law dictates that even if the murderer seeks refuge at God's sacred altar—a place generally associated with sanctuary and appeal for mercy—no protection will be granted. Instead, the person must be forcibly removed from the altar to face the prescribed penalty of death, underscoring the severity of premeditated murder and God's unwavering demand for justice concerning the shedding of innocent blood.

Exodus 21 14 Context

Exodus chapter 21 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exo 20:22-23:33), which provides detailed laws and statutes immediately following the Ten Commandments. After the general moral principles of the Decalogue (Exo 20), these laws translate divine righteousness into specific legal directives for Israelite society, covering civil and criminal offenses. Exodus 21:12-17 addresses capital crimes, laying out various offenses that merit the death penalty. Verse 14 is specifically framed to differentiate premeditated murder from accidental homicide (addressed in verse 13 and later in the Law with the institution of "cities of refuge"). It establishes that cold-blooded murder is an absolute capital offense, and crucially, removes any possibility of sanctuary or asylum for the perpetrator, even from the holiest place of worship. This reflects a strict emphasis on justice and the sanctity of human life, made in God's image. Historically, in many ancient cultures, sanctuaries (temples, altars) offered protection to those fleeing justice. This Israelite law makes a strong polemical statement: God's justice is absolute, and even His own sacred space will not shield one who has willfully committed such a heinous sin against His creation.

Exodus 21 14 Word analysis

• But if a man (וְכִ֤י אִישׁ֙ – vekhī ’īsh):
  • וְכִ֥י (vekhī): "And if" or "But if." Introduces a new case law, indicating a specific condition under the general topic of capital offenses, setting it apart from the previous clause about unintentional killing (Exo 21:13).
  • אִישׁ֙ (’īsh): "man," referring to an adult male. The laws generally apply to all individuals, but ish specifically denotes a man.
• willfully attacks (יָזִד֙ – yāzîd):
  • Root זוד (z-w-d): "to boil up," "to act presumptuously," "to deal proudly," "to be deliberate," "to act insolently."
  • Significance: This word emphasizes intent, willfulness, arrogance, and a presumptuous disregard for divine or human law. It directly contrasts with an accidental act, indicating a prior malicious decision or planning. It speaks to the inner state of the heart that premeditates evil.
• another (עַל־רֵעֵ֣הוּ – ʿal-rēʿēhū):
  • עַל־ (ʿal): "against," "upon."
  • רֵעֵ֣הוּ (rēʿēhū): "his neighbor," "his fellow," "his companion."
  • Significance: Refers to another person, a member of the community. It doesn't restrict the victim to a specific relationship, but applies generally to any fellow human being within society, reinforcing the value of all human life.
• to kill him (לְהָרְג֔וֹ – le-hargō):
  • לְ (le): "to" (infinitive marker).
  • הָרַג (hārag): "to kill," "to slay."
  • Significance: Clearly states the direct intent and outcome—the act is aimed at taking the life of the other. The purpose of the attack is murder.
• by treachery (בְּזִמָּה֒ – be-zimmah):
  • בְּ (be): "by," "with."
  • זִמָּה (zimmah): "wicked device," "scheme," "plot," "wickedness," "villainy," "evil design," "premeditation."
  • Significance: This is a crucial qualifier alongside "willfully attacks." It underlines the aspect of deliberate planning and malicious intent. This wasn't a sudden fit of rage, but a thought-out, wicked design to take a life. It confirms that the murder is cold-blooded and planned. This differentiates the act from mere passion killing or accidental death where such 'wicked devices' are absent. In ancient Near Eastern laws, the distinction between intentional and unintentional was paramount, and zimmah definitively places it in the former category.
• you shall take him (תִּקָּחֶ֙נּוּ֙ – tiqqāḥennû):
  • Root לקח (l-q-ḥ): "to take," "to seize," "to fetch."
  • Significance: An authoritative command to those enforcing justice (judges, elders, or the avenger of blood). It indicates active intervention to remove the murderer from his supposed sanctuary. It implies no legal recourse or special privilege should protect him.
• from My altar (מֵעַ֤ל מִזְבְּחִי֙ – mēʿal mizbeḥî):
  • מֵעַ֤ל (mēʿal): "from upon," "from over."
  • מִזְבְּחִי (mizbeḥî): "My altar." The altar refers specifically to the sacrificial altar in the Tabernacle (and later, the Temple), the central place of worship where sacrifices were offered to God. Taking hold of the horns of the altar was a traditional way to seek asylum (e.g., 1 Kin 1:50, 2:28).
  • Significance: This is a powerful declaration that even the most sacred place, directly associated with God's presence and mercy, offers no immunity for deliberate, premeditated murder. God's holiness demands justice for such a grievous sin, even over ritual sanctuary. This was likely a polemic against practices in other cultures where sanctuaries might protect any criminal, even murderers, implying God's moral order transcends such cultural norms.
• that he may die (וָמֵֽת – va-mēt):
  • וָמֵת (va-mēt): "and he shall die."
  • Significance: The clear, inescapable consequence for premeditated murder: capital punishment. It underscores the ultimate value of human life in God's eyes and the non-negotiable demand for justice. This form (waw-consecutive perfect) functions as a legal imperative – it must happen.

Word Group Analysis:

• willfully attacks... by treachery: This pairing (yāzîd... be-zimmah) is critical. yāzîd speaks to the arrogant, deliberate act, and zimmah specifically to the malicious, premeditated planning or evil design. Together, they leave no doubt about the perpetrator's malicious intent and forethought, distinguishing this case absolutely from accidental killing or manslaughter. This legal clarity is crucial for maintaining a just society.
• take him from My altar, that he may die: This phrase defines the specific judicial action required. It emphasizes the ultimate nature of God's justice. The murderer's fate is sealed regardless of any attempts to use a sacred space for immunity. It signals God's commitment to upholding the sanctity of human life and to purging bloodguilt from the land.

Exodus 21 14 Bonus section

The distinction between intentional and unintentional homicide in Israelite law (Exo 21:12-14) demonstrates a profound level of jurisprudential nuance for its time. Unlike some other ancient Near Eastern law codes that might not consistently distinguish degrees of culpability for death, the Mosaic Law makes this differentiation a central tenet for matters of capital punishment. This emphasis on intent (willfulness, premeditation, treachery vs. accidental delivery) reveals the Law's focus not just on the external act but on the inner disposition of the heart, aligning with a more developed understanding of moral accountability.

Furthermore, the idea of an "avenger of blood" (Num 35:19; Deut 19:6,12) highlights the role of tribal or familial justice in Israel, but under strict legal guidance provided by the elders and designated cities of refuge. The current verse prevents the avenger from seeking unauthorized vengeance in the case of a cold-blooded murderer, as the State/Divine law itself mandates his death, regardless of the murderer's attempt to evade. It removes vigilante justice and puts it under divine command and judicial process. The case of Joab in 1 Kings 2:28-34 serves as a dramatic historical illustration of this law in practice, reinforcing that even centuries later, God's word on sanctuary from willful murder was applied without exception, even to someone of significant status like Joab.

Exodus 21 14 Commentary

Exodus 21:14 stands as a cornerstone in Israelite jurisprudence concerning the ultimate crime of murder. Following the commandment "You shall not murder" (Exo 20:13), this specific law clarifies the divine judgment against its most egregious violation. God's law distinguishes between unintentional death (covered in Exo 21:13 and elaborated with cities of refuge later) and malicious, premeditated killing. The use of terms like "willfully attacks" (yāzîd – with deliberate pride/insolence) and "by treachery" (be-zimmah – with wicked design/premeditation) leaves no ambiguity regarding the perpetrator's culpability and moral bankruptcy.

The most striking element is the command to remove the murderer "from My altar." In many ancient Near Eastern cultures, sacred spaces often served as inviolable sanctuaries for fugitives. However, God's altar, the very symbol of His holy presence and means of atonement for sin, is explicitly stated not to provide refuge for the perpetrator of such a vile, premeditated act. This serves multiple critical functions:

1. Divine Justice: It powerfully communicates that God's justice for intentional shedding of innocent blood is paramount and absolute. No earthly privilege, religious rite, or sacred location can supersede His demand for life for life.
2. Sanctity of Life: It underscores the immense value God places on human life, which is made in His image (Gen 9:6). Premeditated murder is not merely a crime against an individual but a direct affront to God's created order and His character.
3. Holiness of the Altar: By refusing refuge, it protects the sanctity and moral integrity of God's altar. It prevents the holy place from being defiled by association with unpunished, heinous crime and avoids suggesting that ritual proximity could circumvent true righteousness.
4. Moral Distinction: It teaches that genuine repentance and seeking of refuge for unintended actions differ profoundly from seeking to escape justice for a malicious deed. True repentance leads to a desire for justice, not evasion.

The ultimate consequence, "that he may die," affirms the capital punishment for premeditated murder, deemed necessary to remove bloodguilt from the land (Num 35:33-34) and uphold divine order. This severe penalty served as a deterrent and a stark declaration that human life, under God, is inviolable through intentional malice.