But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse makes a startling point: even the sacred protection of God's altar is not a sanctuary for someone who deliberately plots and kills another person. God's abhorrence for willful murder is so profound that He would rather have His altar violated by the apprehension of a murderer than allow that murderer to escape justice.
But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This law comes after instructions regarding personal injury, emphasizing that intentional killing is a far graver offense. It addresses the case of premeditated murder, even if carried out through deceit. The verse declares that such a murderer forfeits any sanctuary, even if they flee to the altar, God's own place of refuge, to escape justice.
Imagine a place of ultimate safety, a sanctuary where no one could touch you. Now, what if you committed the most heinous crime? Does even that sacred space offer protection?
In ancient Israel, the altar of God was a place of refuge, a last resort for those fleeing danger.
The Altar as Asylum
Before the establishment of cities of refuge, the altar was a common place to seek safety. People would even cling to its horns to make themselves untouchable.
No Refuge for Murderers
However, this verse draws a stark line. For the crime of premeditated murder – attacking someone to kill them with cunning and malice – the altar’s protection is void. God declares, 'you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.' This shows that justice for such a grave sin is paramount, even over the sanctity of sanctuary.
God's law prioritizes the value of human life so highly that it refuses to let murderers hide behind even His sacred symbols.
What’s the difference between an impulsive act and a planned attack? This verse highlights a specific, chilling kind of violence that forfeits all protection.
This verse doesn't just speak of murder; it speaks of premeditated murder, a deliberate and deceitful act.
The 'Presumptuous' Act
The Hebrew word here implies boldness, arrogance, and a planned intent. It’s not a crime of passion or an accident. It’s a calculated move: 'to kill him by cunning.' This suggests deception, trickery, and a heart set on destruction.
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A Deeper Evil
This kind of malice is particularly abhorrent to God. The intent to harm, combined with the method of deceit, makes the crime more heinous. It violates not only the victim’s life but also the trust and safety within the community. Therefore, such a planned, treacherous act leaves no room for mercy or escape, even from the altar.
Understand the original words
zid · Hebrew Verb (Hiphil)
An act of killing performed with deliberate, premeditated intent or malice, often associated with a 'high hand' or prideful rebellion against God's law.
ormah · Hebrew Noun
Skill or craftiness used to deceive or achieve a malicious purpose; implies premeditation and calculated malice rather than an impulsive act.
mizbeah · Hebrew Noun
The place of sacrifice where atonement is made to God; the symbol of God's presence and holiness. While it offered sanctuary for some, it provided no protection for the intentional murderer.
This passage directly addresses the premeditated murder of a neighbor, reinforcing that even sanctuary from an altar or city of refuge offers no protection to a willful murderer, who must surely die.
1 Kings 2:28-34This narrative shows Joab, a murderer, seeking refuge at the altar but being forcibly removed by Solomon's command, illustrating the principle that the altar's protection did not extend to those guilty of willful bloodshed.
Numbers 35:16-21This passage provides a more detailed legal framework for murder cases, explicitly stating that the intentional killer is to be put to death, underscoring the gravity of the crime beyond any sanctuary.
2 Kings 11:15While not about murder, this account shows an attempted usurper being taken from the temple, demonstrating that even sacred places were not absolute shields for those who acted with violent intent against established authority or life.
clarkeExodus 21:14: "But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die."
Thou shalt take him from mine altar - Before the cities of refuge were assigned, the altar of God was the common asylum.
gillExodus 21:14: "But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die."
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 allow…
This verse makes a startling point: even the sacred protection of God's altar is not a sanctuary for someone who deliberately plots and kills another person. God's abhorrence for willful murder is so profound that He would rather have His altar violated by the apprehension of a murderer than allow that murderer to escape justice.
This law comes after instructions regarding personal injury, emphasizing that intentional killing is a far graver offense. It addresses the case of premeditated murder, even if carried out through deceit. The verse declares that such a murderer forfeits any sanctuary, even if they flee to the altar, God's own place of refuge, to escape justice.
This law comes after instructions regarding personal injury, emphasizing that intentional killing is a far graver offense. It addresses the case of premeditated murder, even if carried out through deceit. The verse declares that such a murderer forfeits any sanctuary, even if they flee to the altar, God's own place of refuge, to escape justice.
"But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die." — This verse makes a startling point: even the sacred protection of God's altar is not a sanctuary for someone who deliberately plots and kills another person. God's abhorrence for willful murder is…
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Last reviewed October 2026