Exodus 21:18-28

18 Yf men stryue together and one smyte another with a stone or with his fyste, so that he dye not, but lyeth in bedd:

19 yf he ryse agayne and walke without vpon his staffe then shall he that smote hi goo quyte: saue only he shal bere his charges while he laye in bed and paye for his healinge.

20 Yf a man smyte his servaunte or his mayde with a staffe that they dye vnder his hande, it shalbe auenged.

21 But ad yf they contynue a daye or two, it shall not be auenged for they are his money.

22 when men stryue and smyte a woman with childe so that hir frute departe from her and yet no mysfortune foloweth: then shall he be mersed, acordynge as the womans husbonde will laye to his charge, and he shall paye as the dayes men appoynte him.

23 But and yf any mysfortune folowe, then shall he paye lyfe for lyfe,

24 eye for eye, toth for toth, hande for hande, fote for fote,

25 burnynge for burnynge, wonde for wonde and strype for strype.

26 Yf a man smyte his servaunte or his mayde in the eye and put it out, he shall let the goo fre for the eyes sake.

27 Also yf he smyte out hys servauntes or his maydes toth, he shall let the go out fre for the tothes sake.

28 Yf an oxe gore a man or a woman that they dye, then the oxe shalbe stoned, and hys flesh shall not be eaten: and his master shall go quyte.

Exodus 21:18-28 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.