Exodus 21:15-25

15 qui percusserit patrem suum et matrem morte moriatur

16 qui furatus fuerit hominem et vendiderit eum convictus noxae morte moriatur

17 qui maledixerit patri suo et matri morte moriatur

18 si rixati fuerint viri et percusserit alter proximum suum lapide vel pugno et ille mortuus non fuerit sed iacuerit in lectulo

19 si surrexerit et ambulaverit foris super baculum suum innocens erit qui percussit ita tamen ut operas eius et inpensas in medicos restituat

20 qui percusserit servum suum vel ancillam virga et mortui fuerint in manibus eius criminis reus erit

21 sin autem uno die supervixerit vel duobus non subiacebit poenae quia pecunia illius est

22 si rixati fuerint viri et percusserit quis mulierem praegnantem et abortivum quidem fecerit sed ipsa vixerit subiacebit damno quantum expetierit maritus mulieris et arbitri iudicarint

23 sin autem mors eius fuerit subsecuta reddet animam pro anima

24 oculum pro oculo dentem pro dente manum pro manu pedem pro pede

25 adustionem pro adustione vulnus pro vulnere livorem pro livore

Exodus 21:15-25 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.