KJV ORIGINAL
If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck down and killed, the person who killed him will not be held guilty of murder.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse establishes that someone who kills a burglar caught in the act of breaking into their home will not be charged with murder.
📚 Historical Context
This law was given to Moses as part of the civil and criminal code for ancient Israel. In that time, breaking into someone's home at night was considered especially dangerous since the homeowner couldn't clearly see the intruder's intentions or weapons. The law recognized the homeowner's right to defend their family and property when facing an unknown threat in the darkness.
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