Exodus 21:12-17

Exodus 21:12 E. Capital Offences. This group, varying in form from the main body of the Judgments, is here regarded as a part of the smaller Book of the Covenant (p. 184). The punishment of murder was death (Exodus 21:12), inflicted in Israel, as elsewhere, according to the widespread custom of blood-revenge, by the next-of-kin as avenger of blood (2 Samuel 14:11). For accidental homicide, not distinguished in Homer from murder, a place of asylum, a sanctuary of special rank, was provided (Exodus 21:13, cf. Numbers 35:9 * P, Deuteronomy 19:1 *, Joshua 20*). But a murderer could be dragged from the horns of the altar (Exodus 21:14, cf. 1 Kings 1:50; 1 Kings 2:28). Smiting or cursing a parent was also (Exodus 21:15; Exodus 21:17) punishable with death, Bab. and Gr. law being less severe; and so was kidnapping, as in Bab., Gr., and Roman law.