But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.
14. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor. He expresses the same thing in different ways; for although there is a wide difference between slaying a man presumptuously “Superbire, et insidiari longe differunt.” — Lat. “Ruer sup quelqu’un par fierte et malice, et l’aguetter.” — Fr.
God guards life by law as surely as He gives it by providence: mercy to a wilful murderer is cruelty to mankind. The man who kills in malice or passion must die, even if he clings to the altar; but if God ordains a death by accident, not the slayer's intent, He appoints refuge for him.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 21:12-21
But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile,.... That comes with malice in his heart, with wrath in his countenance, in a bold, daring, hostile manner, using all the art, cunning, and contrivance he can, to take away the life of his neighbour; no asylum, no refuge, not anything to screen him from justice is to be allowed him...