Exodus 21:21-31

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.

29 Yf the oxe were wont to runne at men in tyme past and it hath bene tolde his master, and he hath not kepte him, but that he hath kylled a man or a woman: then the oxe shalbe stoned and hys master shall dye also.

30 Yf he be sett to a summe off money, then he shall geue for the delyueraunce off his lyfe, acordynge to all that is put vnto him.

31 And whether he hath gored a sonne or a doughter, he shalbe serued after the same maner

Exodus 21:21-31 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.