Exodus 21:16-26

16 "Whoever kidnaps someone, either to sell him or to keep him as a slave, is to be put to death. ¹

17 "Whoever curses his father or his mother is to be put to death. ²

18 "If there is a fight and someone hits someone else with a stone or with his fist, but does not kill him, he is not to be punished. If the one who was hit has to stay in bed, but later is able to get up and walk outside with the help of a cane, the one who hit him is to pay for his lost time and take care of him until he gets well.

20 "If a slave owner takes a stick and beats his slave, whether male or female, and the slave dies on the spot, the owner is to be punished.

21 But if the slave does not die for a day or two, the master is not to be punished. The loss of his property is punishment enough.

22 "If some men are fighting and hurt a pregnant woman so that she loses her child, but she is not injured in any other way, the one who hurt her is to be fined whatever amount the woman's husband demands, subject to the approval of the judges.

23 But if the woman herself is injured, the punishment shall be life for life,

24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ³

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

26 "If someone hits his male or female slave in the eye and puts it out, he is to free the slave as payment for the eye.

Exodus 21:16-26 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. 21.16Deuteronomy 24.7.
• 2. 21.17Leviticus 20.9;Matthew 15.4;Mark 7.10.
• 3. 21.24Leviticus 24.19, 20;Deuteronomy 19.21;Matthew 5.38.