Exodus 21:14If a man schemes and comes presumptuously on his neighbor to kill him, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.
The setting
Mount Sinai, Egypt/Saudi Arabia border, ~1446 BC. Moses receives civil laws for a new nation...
The emotion here: receiving divine justice with trembling reverence
The original word
zadam (זָדַם) — to plot deliberately, premeditated scheming, not heat of passion
Why it matters
Even grabbing altar horns couldn't save premeditated murderers - no sanctuary
Read with care
What most readers miss in Exodus 21:14
This distinguishes premeditated murder from accidental killing - intent matters
Common misconceptionPeople think this is harsh, but it actually protected against blood feuds by requiring evidence of premeditation, not just killing.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Exodus 21:14
Bible Genome reading
Exodus 21:14 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Exodus 21:14 comes from the book of Exodus, written during the exodus period. The setting is wilderness. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include premeditation, justice. Notable phrases: schemes and comes presumptuously; take him from my altar. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Exodus 21:14 mean to you, today?
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