1 Now these [are] the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself.
5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
7 And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.
8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
9 And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.
10 If he take him another [wife]; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.
11 And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.
12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver [him] into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
18 And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with [his] fist, and he die not, but keepeth [his] bed:
19 If he 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 smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
21 Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he [is] his money.
22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit 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].
23 And if [any] mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
26 And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake.
27 And if he smite out his manservant’s tooth, or his maidservant’s tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth’s sake.
28 If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox [shall be] quit.
29 But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
30 If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.
31 Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.
32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
33 And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;
34 The owner of the pit shall make [it] good, [and] give money unto the owner of them; and the dead [beast] shall be his.
35 And if one man’s ox hurt another’s, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead [ox] also they shall divide.
36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.
Overview of Exodus 21
Exodus 21 provides a set of laws and regulations given to the Israelites, focusing primarily on social justice, personal rights, and the treatment of individuals within the community. This chapter serves as a continuation of the legal and ethical framework established in the preceding chapters, emphasizing the importance of justice and moral conduct in the Israelite society.
Key Themes
- Slavery and Servitude: The chapter outlines regulations regarding Hebrew slaves, including their treatment and the conditions of their servitude.
- Personal Injury: The laws regarding personal injury highlight the principle of proportional justice, often referred to as “an eye for an eye.”
- Property Rights: The chapter addresses issues of property damage and theft, emphasizing restitution and accountability.
- Social Justice: The laws reflect a concern for the vulnerable members of society, including women, children, and slaves.
Detailed Analysis
Regulations on Hebrew Slaves (Verses 1-11)
Exodus 21 begins with specific laws concerning Hebrew slaves. The treatment of slaves is a significant aspect of the chapter, highlighting the distinction between voluntary servitude and exploitation.
- Duration of Service: Hebrew slaves are to serve for six years, after which they are to be released in the seventh year.
- Rights of the Slave: If a slave is married before their servitude, their spouse and children remain free upon release, but if the master provides a wife, the children belong to the master.
- Voluntary Servitude: A slave may choose to remain with their master permanently, signifying a commitment to the household.
Laws Regarding Personal Injury (Verses 12-27)
This section deals with the consequences of personal injury and the principle of retributive justice. The laws emphasize the importance of accountability for one’s actions.
- Intentional and Unintentional Harm: Different penalties are prescribed based on the intent behind the injury.
- Compensation: Victims are entitled to compensation for injuries, including medical expenses and loss of work.
- Special Cases: Specific laws address injuries to pregnant women, highlighting the value of life and the consequences of causing harm to unborn children.
Property Rights and Theft (Verses 28-36)
Exodus 21 continues with laws regarding property rights, emphasizing the importance of restitution and the protection of property.
- Animal Injuries: If an ox gored a person, the owner is liable, and the ox must be stoned.
- Restitution for Theft: Thieves are required to repay multiple times the value of what they have stolen, reinforcing the principle of accountability.
- Liability for Negligence: Owners are responsible for their animals and must ensure they do not cause harm to others.
Social Justice Considerations (Verses 7-11, 20-21)
The chapter also reflects a concern for social justice, particularly in the treatment of women and the vulnerable.
- Rights of Women: The laws regarding female slaves emphasize their protection and rights, particularly in the context of marriage and family.
- Protection of Vulnerable Individuals: The laws highlight the need to protect those who are often marginalized, ensuring that justice is served fairly.
Conclusion
Exodus 21 serves as a foundational text for understanding the legal and ethical framework of ancient Israelite society. The chapter emphasizes the importance of justice, accountability, and the protection of the vulnerable, reflecting a commitment to social order and moral conduct. These laws not only address specific situations but also establish principles that continue to resonate in discussions of justice and ethics today.
