Exodus 21:12-17

12 `He who smiteth a man so that he hath died, is certainly put to death;

13 as to him who hath not laid wait, and God hath brought to his hand, I have even set for thee a place whither he doth flee.

14 `And when a man doth presume against his neighbour to slay him with subtilty, from Mine altar thou dost take him to die.

15 `And he who smiteth his father or his mother is certainly put to death.

16 `And he who stealeth a man, and hath sold him, and he hath been found in his hand, is certainly put to death.

17 `And he who is reviling his father or his mother is certainly put to death.

Exodus 21:12-17 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.