Exodus 21:17
15 Whoever strikes his father or mother must surely be put to death.
16 Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.
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,
19 then the one who struck him shall go unpunished, as long as the other can get up and walk around outside with his staff. Nevertheless, he must compensate the man for his lost work and see that he is completely healed.
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
- Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.
- KJV
- And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
- WEB
- “Anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
- ASV
- And he that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
- DARBY
- And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall certainly be put to death.
- BLB
- And the one who curses his father or his mother must surely be put to death.
- ÅB
- Den som forbanner faren eller moren sin, skal late livet.
- OTB
- «Enhver som forbanner sin far eller mor, skal sannelig bli dømt til døden.
- B1930
- Den som banner sin far eller sin mor, skal visselig late livet.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 20:20
Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
Read in contextMark 7:10–11
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
Read in contextMatthew 15:3–6
Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
Read in contextDeuteronomy 27:16
‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’
Read in contextProverbs 30:11
There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
Read in contextLeviticus 20:9–10
If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother; his blood shall be upon him.
Read in contextProverbs 30:17
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.
Read in context