Exodus 21:6-16

6 offeret eum dominus diis et adplicabitur ad ostium et postes perforabitque aurem eius subula et erit ei servus in saeculum

7 si quis vendiderit filiam suam in famulam non egredietur sicut ancillae exire consuerunt

8 si displicuerit oculis domini sui cui tradita fuerit dimittet eam populo autem alieno vendendi non habet potestatem si spreverit eam

9 sin autem filio suo desponderit eam iuxta morem filiarum faciet illi

10 quod si alteram ei acceperit providebit puellae nuptias et vestimenta et pretium pudicitiae non negabit

11 si tria ista non fecerit egredietur gratis absque pecunia

12 qui percusserit hominem volens occidere morte moriatur

13 qui autem non est insidiatus sed Deus illum tradidit in manu eius constituam tibi locum quo fugere debeat

14 si quis de industria occiderit proximum suum et per insidias ab altari meo evelles eum ut moriatur

15 qui percusserit patrem suum et matrem morte moriatur

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

Exodus 21:6-16 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.