Exodus 21

Exodus 21 outlines the specific laws and judgments that God gave to Israel through Moses, concerning matters of justice, personal injury, and servitude. It provides regulations on how to treat servants, what happens in cases of personal injury, and how to deal with property damage. These laws serve as a framework for maintaining justice in a society that seeks to live in accordance with God's will.

Exodus 21:1-3 (NKJV)
1 “Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them:
2 If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing.
3 If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him.

These verses establish the principle of servitude among the Israelites. A Hebrew servant was not meant to be in permanent bondage but was to serve for a maximum of six years. The seventh year was one of release, signifying freedom. Additionally, if the servant came with a family, they were to be released together. This law reflects God's concern for justice and compassion for those in servitude.

Exodus 21:4-6 (NKJV)
4 If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself.
5 But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’
6 then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

If a master gave the servant a wife and they had children, the servant could leave after six years, but the wife and children would remain with the master. However, if the servant chose to remain because of his love for his family and his master, he would undergo a ritual to signify his lifelong commitment to servitude. This shows that the law allowed for voluntary lifelong service, provided it was the servant’s choice out of love.

Exodus 21:7-8 (NKJV)
7 And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do.
8 If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her.

The law addresses the situation where a father, due to poverty, might sell his daughter into servitude, often with the expectation of marriage. Unlike male servants, who were freed after six years, female servants were not automatically released, reflecting their different societal roles. If the master decided not to marry her, he was required to allow her family to redeem her and was forbidden from selling her to foreigners, which would break the original agreement. This law ensured protection and dignity for women in vulnerable positions, emphasizing fairness and justice even within these difficult social contracts.

Exodus 21:9-11 (NKJV)
9 And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters.
10 If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights.
11 And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money.

These verses provide further protection for a female servant who was betrothed to the master’s son. She was to be treated with the rights and dignity of a daughter-in-law. Even if the son took another wife, her basic rights to food, clothing, and marital relations were to be maintained. If the husband failed to uphold these rights, she was to be set free. This reflects a concern for justice and fairness in marriage.

Exodus 21:12-14 (NKJV)
12 “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.
13 However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.
14 But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.

These verses address the issue of murder. Premeditated murder was punishable by death, reflecting the sanctity of life. However, if the death was accidental, the person could flee to a designated place of refuge. The distinction between intentional murder and accidental killing reflects God's justice and provision for mercy in cases where intent was absent.

Exodus 21:15-17 (NKJV)
15 “And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
16 “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.
17 “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

These laws emphasize respect for parental authority and the sanctity of family relationships. Striking or cursing one’s parents was seen as a grievous offense worthy of death. Kidnapping, whether for slavery or ransom, was also punishable by death. These severe penalties underscore the importance of respect and justice within the community.

Exodus 21:18-19 (NKJV)
18 “If men contend with each other, and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to his bed,
19 if he rises again and walks about outside with his staff, then he who struck him shall be acquitted. He shall only pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for him to be thoroughly healed.

In cases of non-lethal injury during a fight, the one who caused the injury was responsible for compensating the injured party for lost time and medical expenses. This law ensured fairness and responsibility in cases of personal injury, highlighting the importance of restoration and compensation rather than retaliation.

Exodus 21:20-21 (NKJV)
20 “And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
21 Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property.

This law protects servants from excessive violence by their masters. If a servant died from being beaten, the master would be punished. However, if the servant survived the beating for a few days, the master was not punished, as the servant was considered the master’s property. While this law does not fully protect the rights of servants as modern sensibilities would, it did impose some accountability on the master.

Exodus 21:22-25 (NKJV)
22 “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
23 But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life,
24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

In this situation, if men fighting accidentally caused a pregnant woman to give birth prematurely but no further harm occurred, the responsible party had to pay a fine. However, if harm did occur—either to the woman or the child—there was to be a just and equivalent punishment, following the principle of retribution, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” This law emphasizes the value of life and the need for just compensation when injury occurs.

Exodus 21:26-27 (NKJV)
26 “If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye.
27 And if he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he shall let him go free for the sake of his tooth.

If a master caused permanent injury to a servant, such as destroying an eye or knocking out a tooth, the servant was to be set free as compensation for the injury. This law reflects a balance between the master’s authority and the servant’s rights, providing justice and protection for the vulnerable.

Exodus 21:28-32 (NKJV)
28 “If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted.
29 But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.
30 If there is imposed on him a sum of money, then he shall pay to redeem his life, whatever is imposed on him.
31 Whether it has gored a son or gored a daughter, according to this judgment it shall be done to him.
32 If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

These verses regulate liability when animals cause harm. If an ox killed someone, the animal was to be put to death, but the owner was not held responsible unless it was known that the ox had a history of violence. In such cases, the owner’s negligence was punishable by death, though he could pay a fine to redeem his life. If the victim was a servant, the owner had to pay compensation to the servant’s master. This law emphasizes both personal responsibility and justice.

Exodus 21:33-36 (NKJV)
33 “And if a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls in it,
34 the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money to their owner, but the dead animal shall be his.
35 “If one man’s ox hurts another’s, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the money from it; and the dead ox they shall also divide.
36 Or if it was known that the ox tended to thrust in time past, and its owner has not kept it confined, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall be his own.

These verses deal with property damage and negligence. If someone dug a pit and failed to cover it, causing an animal to fall in and die, the one responsible for the pit had to compensate the animal's owner. Similarly, if one ox killed another, the live ox and its value were to be shared between both parties unless there was negligence in confining a known violent animal. These laws highlight the importance of personal responsibility and fairness in resolving disputes.