24 'Cursed is he who strikes his neighbor in secret.' All the people shall say, 'Amen.'
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Cursed [be] he that smiteth his neighbour (o) secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
(o) For God that sees in secret, will avenge it.
Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly,.... And kills him, and the murder is not known; the curse of God follows such, and overtakes them sooner or later. Some interpret this of smiting with the tongue, of secret backbiting and slander; so the Targum of Jonathan,"that smiteth with the third tongue;''or false accusation:
and all the people shall say Amen; as disapproving of and condemning such a practice, even slander, and especially murder.
Smiteth - That is, killeth. This includes murder under colour of law, which is of all others the greatest affront to God. Cursed therefore is he that any ways contributes to accuse, or convict, or condemn an innocent person.
*More commentary available at chapter level.