Exodus 21:16-26

16 "Whoever kidnaps someone must be put to death, regardless of whether he has already sold him or the person is found still in his possession.

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

18 "If two people fight, and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist, and the injured party doesn't die but is confined to his bed;

19 then, if he recovers enough to be able to walk around outside, even if with a cane, the attacker will be free of liability, except to compensate him for his loss of time and take responsibility for his care until his recovery is complete.

20 "If a person beats his male or female slave with a stick so severely that he dies, he is to be punished;

21 except that if the slave lives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his property.

22 "If people are fighting with each other and happen to hurt a pregnant woman so badly that her unborn child dies, then, even if no other harm follows, he must be fined. He must pay the amount set by the woman's husband and confirmed by judges.

23 But if any harm follows, then you are to give life for life,

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

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

26 "If a person hits his male or female slave's eye and destroys it, he must let him go free in compensation for his 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.