Exodus 21:20-26

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; ¹for 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 ²pay as the judges decide.

23 "But if there is any further injury, ³then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,

24 ⁴eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

26 "If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave *, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye.

Exodus 21:20-26 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. Leviticus 25:44-46
• 2. Exodus 21:30; Deuteronomy 22:18, 19
• 3. Leviticus 24:19; Deuteronomy 19:21
• 4. Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21; Matthew 5:38

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "under"
• [b]. Lit "suffer vengeance"
• [c]. Lit "stands"
• [d]. Lit "money"
• [e]. Or "an untimely birth occurs;" lit "her children come out"
• [f]. Lit "lays on him"
• [g]. Lit "by arbitration"
• [h]. Lit "welt"