Bible Encyclopedias
Deodand
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
(Lat. Deo, "to God," dandus, "given"), a thing given or forfeited to God in consequence of its having caused the death of a human being. If a cart, for instance, should crush a man to death it would become a deodand, that is, to be distributed to the poor by the royal almoner, by way of expiation or atonement for the death which it has caused. See Exodus 21:28.
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Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Deodand'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/d/deodand.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.