Exodus 21:12
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Original Language Analysis
מַכֵּ֥ה
He that smiteth
H5221
מַכֵּ֥ה
He that smiteth
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
1 of 5
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אִ֛ישׁ
a man
H376
אִ֛ישׁ
a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 5
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יוּמָֽת׃
put to death
H4191
יוּמָֽת׃
put to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
3 of 5
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Cross References
Genesis 9:6Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.Matthew 26:52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.Leviticus 24:17And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.Exodus 20:13Thou shalt not kill.2 Samuel 12:13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi, Hittite) included capital punishment for murder but varied in application. Israel's law, grounded in imago Dei, universally applied capital punishment for intentional homicide.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does murder require death penalty—what does this teach about human life's value?
- How does Genesis 9:6 (image of God) ground capital punishment for murder?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Lex talionis (law of retaliation) begins—'smiteth a man so he die' (מַכֵּה אִישׁ וָמֵת, makkeh ish vamet) means fatal striking. The doubled verb 'shall surely die' (מוֹת יוּמָת, mot yumat) emphasizes certainty. This implements the sixth commandment—murder requires capital punishment. Why death for death? Genesis 9:6: 'whoever sheds human blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His image.' Murder assaults God's image; only death atones. The law protects life's sanctity by making murder capital. Distinction between murder (vv. 12-14) and manslaughter (vv. 13) shows justice requires intent consideration.