Exodus 21:14

If a man come presumptuously. — Rather, if a man come maliciously, or with premeditation. (Vulg., de industria.)

Thou shalt take him from mine altar. — Comp. 1 Kings 2:28. In most parts of the ancient world a scruple was felt about putting criminals to death when once they had taken sanctuary, and those who did so were regarded as accursed (Herod. v. 71, 72; Thucyd. i. 126; Plut. Vit. Sol., § 12). The Mosaic Law regarded this scruple as a superstition, and refused to sanction it.