Exodus 21:5-15

5 "But if the slave declares: 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I do not want to leave as a free man,'

6 his master is to bring him to the judges^[a] and then bring him to the door or doorpost. His master must pierce his ear with an awl, and he will serve his master for life.

7 "When a man sells his daughter as a slave,^[b] she is not to leave as the male slaves do.

8 If she is displeasing to her master, who chose her for himself, then he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners because he has acted treacherously toward her.

9 Or if he chooses her for his son, he must deal with her according to the customary treatment of daughters.

10 If he takes an additional wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of the first wife.

11 And if he does not do these three things for her, she may leave free of charge, without any exchange of money.^[c]

Laws about Personal Injury

12 "Whoever strikes a person so that he dies must be put to death.

13 But if he didn't intend any harm,^[d] and yet God caused it to happen by his hand, I will appoint a place for you where he may flee.^[e]

14 If a person willfully^[f] acts against his neighbor to murder him by scheming, you must take him from My altar to be put to death.

15 "Whoever strikes his father or his mother must be put to death.

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Exodus 21:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 21

In this, and the two following chapters, are delivered various laws and precepts, partly of a moral, and partly of a religious, but chiefly of a civil nature, respecting the commonwealth of Israel, and its political good. This chapter treats of servants, and laws relating to them; to menservants, how long they shall serve, and what is to be done to those who are desirous of staying with their masters after their time is up, Ex 21:1-6, to maidservants, and especially betrothed ones, either to a father or a son, Ex 21:7-11, likewise it contains laws concerning the slaughter of men, whether with design or unawares, Ex 21:12-14, and concerning the ill usage of parents, Ex 21:15,17, and man stealing, Ex 21:16 and of mischief that comes by men's quarrelling and fighting, Ex 21:18,19 and by smiting a man or maidservant, Ex 21:20,21,26,27, to a woman with child, that is, by means of men's striving and contending with each other, Ex 21:22-25 and of damages that come by oxen, or to them, Ex 21:28-36.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Footnotes 6

[a]. Or to God; that is, to His sanctuary or court
[b]. Or concubine
[c]. Without paying a redemption price for her
[d]. Lit he was not lying in wait
[e]. Nm 35:6-34
[f]. Or maliciously

Exodus 21:5-15

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Laws about Personal Injury

Exodus 21:5-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 21

Footnotes 6