Exo 21:12 | KD | STEP | A death-blow was to be punished with death (cf. ; ). “ He that smiteth a man and (so that) he die (whether on the spot or directly afterwards did not matter), he shall be put to death .” This general rule is still further defined by a distinction being drawn between accidental and intentional killing. “ But whoever has not lain in wait (for another’s life), and God has caused it to come to his hand ” (to kill the other); i.e., not only if he did not intend to kill him, but did not even cherish the intention of smiting him, or of doing him harm from hatred and enmity (Num 35:16-23; ), and therefore did so quite unawares, according to a dispensation of God, which is generally called an accident because it is above our comprehension. For such a man God would appoint places of refuge, where he should be protected against the avenger of blood. (On this point, see Num 35:9.).

‏ Exodus 21:12

A death-blow was to be punished with death (cf. Gen 9:6; Lev 24:17). “He that smiteth a man and (so that) he die (whether on the spot or directly afterwards did not matter), he shall be put to death.” This general rule is still further defined by a distinction being drawn between accidental and intentional killing. “But whoever has not lain in wait (for another’s life), and God has caused it to come to his hand” (to kill the other); i.e., not only if he did not intend to kill him, but did not even cherish the intention of smiting him, or of doing him harm from hatred and enmity (Num 35:16-23; Deu 19:4-5), and therefore did so quite unawares, according to a dispensation of God, which is generally called an accident because it is above our comprehension. For such a man God would appoint places of refuge, where he should be protected against the avenger of blood. (On this point, see Num 35:9.).