Exodus 21:15-17

15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death.

16 ¹“Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found ²in possession of him, shall be put to death.

17 ³“Whoever curses^[a] his father or his mother shall be put to death.

Exodus 21:15-17 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.

Cross References

• 1. 21:16 Deut. 24:7; 1 Tim. 1:10
• 2. 21:16 ch. 22:4
• 3. 21:17 Lev. 20:9; Deut. 27:16; Cited Matt. 15:4; Mark 7:10; [Prov. 20:20; 30:11]

Footnotes

• [a] 21:17 Or 'dishonors'; Septuagint 'reviles'