Exodus 21:10-20

10 If that son marries another woman, he must not deprive the first wife of food, clothes, or sex.

11 If he doesn't give her these three things, she can go free, without paying any money for her freedom.

12 "Whoever strikes someone and kills him must be put to death.

13 If it wasn't done intentionally, but God let it happen, the killer should flee to a place I will set aside for you.

14 But whenever someone becomes so angry that he plans to kill his neighbor, you must take him away from my altar and put him to death.

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

16 "Whoever kidnaps another person must be put to death, whether he has sold the kidnapped person or still has him.

17 "Whoever curses his father or mother must be put to death.

18 "This is what you must do whenever men quarrel and one hits the other with a rock or with his fist and injures him so that he has to stay in bed.

19 If the injured man can get up again and walk around outside with a cane, the one who hit him must not be punished. He must pay the injured man for the loss of his time and for all his medical expenses.

20 "Whenever an owner hits his male or female slave with a stick so that the slave dies from the beating, the owner must be punished.

Exodus 21:10-20 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.