Exodus 21:21

21 "If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; 1for he is his property.

Exodus 21:21 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:21

Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two
And does not die immediately, or the same day, but lives twenty four hours, as the Jewish writers interpret it; so Abendana F24 explains the phrase, "a day or two";

``a day which is as two days, and they are twenty four hours from time to time,''

that is, from the time he was smitten to the time of his continuance; and so it is elsewhere explained F25 by a day we understand a day, which is like two days, that is, from time to time, the meaning of which is, from a certain time in one day to the same in another:

he shall not be punished;
that is, with death;

for he [is] his money;
is bought with his money, and is good as money, and therefore it is a loss sufficient to him to lose him; and it may be reasonably thought he did not smite his servant with an intention to kill him, since he himself is the loser by it.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 Not. in Miclol Yophi in loc.
F25 Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Zabim, c. 2. sect. 3.

Exodus 21:21 In-Context

19 if he gets up and walks around outside on his staff, then he who struck him shall go unpunished; he shall only pay for his loss of time, and shall take care of him until he is completely healed.
20 "If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished.
21 "If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; for he is his property.
22 "If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide.
23 "But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,

Cross References 1

  • 1. Leviticus 25:44-46

Footnotes 2

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