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Exodus 21:20

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.

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.

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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
If a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod, and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished.
KJV
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
WEB
“If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, the man shall surely be punished.
ASV
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall surely be punished.
DARBY
And if a man strike his bondman or his handmaid with a staff, and he die under his hand, he shall certainly be avenged.
BLB
And if a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be avenged.
ÅB
Når noen slår sin slave eller slavekvinne med en stokk så de dør under hans hånd, da skal han straffes for det.
OTB
«Hvis noen slår sin mannlige eller kvinnelige slave med en stokk og slaven dør for hans hånd, må han bli straffet.
B1930
Når nogen slår sin træl eller trælkvinne med en stokk så de dør under hans hånd, da skal han straffes for det.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Proverbs 29:19

    A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 19:21

    And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 58:3–4

    Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

    Read in context

  • Numbers 35:30–33

    Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

    Read in context

  • Romans 13:4

    For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

    Read in context

  • Numbers 35:19

    The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 21:26–27

    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.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 4:15

    And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

    Read in context