Exodus 21:12-17

Regulations Regarding Murder, Manslaughter, and Various Injuries

12 " '{Whoever strikes someone} and he dies will surely be put to death.

13 But if he did not lie in wait {and it was an accident}, I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee.

14 But if a man schemes against his neighbor to kill him by treachery, you will take him from my altar to die.

15 And {whoever strikes} his father or his mother will surely be put to death.

16 " 'And {whoever kidnaps someone} and sells him, or he is found in his possession, he will surely be put to death.

17 " 'And one who curses his father or his mother will surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:12-17 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "A striker of a man"
• [b] Literally "and God let [him] happen to his hand"
• [c] Or "with cunning" or "craftily"
• [d] Literally "a striker of"
• [e] Literally "a stealer of a man"
• [f] Literally "in his hand"