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Verse Takeaways
1
The Sanctity of Human Life
Commentators explain that this law builds upon the 6th Commandment and the earlier covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:6). It establishes the death penalty for intentional murder, reflecting the supreme value God places on human life. Scholars note the severity of this principle, highlighting that even God's altar could not provide refuge for a willful murderer.
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Book Overview
Exodus
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Commentaries
5
Albert Barnes
On Exodus 21:12
18th Century
Theologian
The case of murder of a free man and of a slave. See (Exodus 21:20) note. The law was afterward expressly declared to relate also to fo…
Charles Ellicott
On Exodus 21:12–14
19th Century
Bishop
He that smiteth a man, so that he die. —Homicide had been broadly and generally forbidden in the sixth commandment. But s…
John Calvin
On Exodus 21:12
16th Century
Theologian
He that strikes a man, so that he dies. This passage, as I have said, more clearly explains the details, and first makes a distinction bet…
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John Gill
On Exodus 21:12
17th Century
Pastor
He that smites a man, so that he die
The Targum of Jonathan is, that smites a man or daughter of Israel with the swo…
Matthew Henry
On Exodus 21:12–21
17th Century
Minister
God, who by His providence gives and maintains life, by His law protects it. A willful murderer shall be taken even from God's altar. But God provi…