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Exodus 21:16

14 But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.

15 Whoever strikes his father or mother must surely be put to death.

Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.

17 Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.

18 If men are quarreling and one strikes the other with a stone or a fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed,

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.
KJV
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
WEB
“Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
ASV
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
DARBY
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall certainly be put to death.
BLB
And the one who steals a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he must surely be put to death.
ÅB
Den som stjeler et menneske og selger ham eller holder ham fanget, skal late livet.
OTB
«Enhver som kidnapper en person, enten de har solgt dem eller fortsatt har dem i sin besittelse, skal sannelig bli dømt til døden.
B1930
Den som stjeler et menneske og selger ham eller holder ham fanget, skal visselig late livet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 24:7

    If a man is caught kidnapping one of his Israelite brothers, whether he treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. So you must purge the evil from among you.

    Read in context

  • 1 Timothy 1:10

    for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

    Read in context

  • Exodus 22:4

    If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 37:28

    So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 40:15

    For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing for which they should have put me in this dungeon.”

    Read in context