Exodus 21:12

Murder. The same general principle is laid down in P, Genesis 9:6; Numbers 35:30 f., and in H, Leviticus 24:17.

shall be put to death The execution of this penalty was the duty not, as in communities in which a more advanced stage of civilization has been reached, of the State, but of the -Avenger of blood," i.e. of the nearest kinsman of the murdered man, upon whom, according to primitive ideas, the duty of vindicating his rights devolved, 2 Samuel 14:11; Deuteronomy 19:6; Deuteronomy 19:12; Numbers 35:19; Numbers 35:21; Numbers 35:27 (P). See Goel in DB.or EB.