21:12–17 What constitutes a capital offense sheds light on the foundations and values of a society. In biblical law the death penalty is reserved for offenses against life, not against property (as in other ancient codes). These verses give four capital offenses in a participial case law form (22:18–20 give three more). The introductory “Anyone who strikes” is a common alternate form, stylistically different from, but functionally equivalent to, “If anyone strikes.”

Two case contingencies follow the first capital offense, “Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death”—one for manslaughter (unintentional homicide) and one for premeditated murder. The sentence for the latter was death but the former defendant was allowed to flee to a city of refuge where he would be giv…