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But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or hurled on him anything without lying in wait,
Verse Takeaways
1
Intent Matters to God
Commentators explain that this verse establishes a crucial legal and moral distinction. The key difference between murder and accidental killing (manslaughter) is not sudden anger, but intent. The phrases "without enmity" and "without lying in wait" highlight that if there was no pre-existing hatred or premeditated plan, the act was not considered murder. This shows God's concern for the heart's motivation, not just the outcome of an action.
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4
18th Century
Presbyterian
The meaning is: Since taking another person’s life by any means whatever is murder and exposes the murderer to the penalty of retaliation, if the d…
19th Century
Anglican
But if he thrust him suddenly ... — See Deuteronomy 19:4-5, where the meaning of the law is illustrated.
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
But if he thrust him suddenly, without enmity Push him from a precipice, before he is aware, without any malicious d…
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To show plainly the abhorrence of murder, and to provide more effectively for the punishment of the murderer, the nearest relation of the deceased,…
