John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 21:18
And if men strive together ,.... Quarrel and fight, and wrestle with and box one another: and one smite another with a stone ; which lying near him he might take up, and in his passion throw it at his antagonist: or with his fist ; with his double fist, as we express it, with his hand closed, that it might come with the greater force, and give the greater blow: and he die not, but keepeth his bed ; does not die with the blow of the stone or fist, yet receives so much damage by it... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 21:12-21
Here is, I. A law concerning murder. He had lately said, Thou shalt not kill; here he provides, 1. For the punishing of wilful murder (Exod. 21:12): He that smiteth a man, whether upon a sudden passion or in malice prepense, so that he die, the government must take care that the murderer be put to death, according to that ancient law (Gen. 9:6), Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed. God, who by his providence gives and maintains life, thus by his law protects it; so that... read more