Exodus 21:15

15 He that smiteth his father, or his mother, die he by death. (He who striketh his father, or his mother, shall be put to death.)

Exodus 21:15 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:15

And he that smiteth his father or his mother
With his fist, or with a stick, or cane, or such thing, though they died not with the blow, yet it occasioned any wound, or caused a bruise, or the part smitten black and blue, or left any print of the blow; for, as Jarchi says, the party was not guilty, less by smiting there was a bruise, or weal, made, or any mark or scar: but if so it was, then he

shall be surely put to death;
the Targum of Jonathan adds, with the suffocation of a napkin; and so Jarchi says with strangling; the manner of which was this, the person was sunk into a dunghill up to his knees, and two persons girt his neck with a napkin or towel until he expired. This crime was made capital, to show the heinousness of it, how detestable it was to God, and in order to deter from it.

Exodus 21:15 In-Context

13 forsooth if a man setteth not ambush, but God betook him into his hands, I shall ordain a place to thee (I shall ordain a place for thee), whither he oughteth to flee.

14 If any man slayeth his neighbour by before-casting, and by ambush, draw thou him away from mine altar, that he die (and put him to death).

15 He that smiteth his father, or his mother, die he by death. (He who striketh his father, or his mother, shall be put to death.)

16 He that curseth his father, or mother, die he by death. (He who curseth his father, or his mother, shall be put to death.)

17 He that stealeth a man, and selleth him, if he is convicted of the guilt, die he by death (shall be put to death).