Exodus 21:20

20 And if a man shall smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he shall die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.

Exodus 21:20 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:20

And if a man smite his servant or his maid with a rod
A Canaanitish servant or maid, as the Targum of Jonathan, and so Jarchi; and that only with a rod for the correction of them, and not with a sword or any such destroying weapon, which would seem as though he intended to kill, yet nevertheless:

and he die under his hand;
immediately, while he is smiting or beating him or her, on the same day, as the above Targum interprets it:

he shall be surely punished;
or condemned to the punishment of being slain with the sword, as the said Targum and Jarchi explain it: this law was made to deter masters from using severity and cruelty towards their servants.

Exodus 21:20 In-Context

18 And if men contend together, and one shall smite another with a stone, or with [his] fist, and he shall not die, but keep [his] bed:

19 If he shall rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote [him] be quit: only he shall pay [for] the loss of his time, and shall cause [him] to be thoroughly healed.

20 And if a man shall smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he shall die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.

21 Notwithstanding, if he shall continue a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he [is] his money.

22 If men shall contend, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit shall depart [from her], and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges [determine].