Exodus 21:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged.

NIV: "Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result,

NASB: And if someone strikes his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies at his hand, he shall be punished.

CSB: "When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod, and the slave dies under his abuse, the owner must be punished.

NLT: If a man beats his male or female slave with a club and the slave dies as a result, the owner must 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.

NKJV: “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.

Exodus 21:18–21 explains ancient Israel's legal consequences for injuring others. These emphasize restitution for time and work lost due to the injury. If someone fatally injures their slave or servant, the death penalty applies (Exodus 21:12). If the servant survives long enough to recover, the aggressor has already experienced the loss of that servant's work. They may be forced to free the injured person (Exodus 21:26–27). Very few could afford enough servants to absorb this lost work.

The Ten Commandments form the basis of Israel's other laws. In this chapter, God provides guidelines and penalties for various issues. These include homicide, assault, and injury. Laws also control harm done to or by animals. Included in these are protections for pregnant women and unborn children. Servants are guarded from abuse. Kidnapping people into slavery is punishable by death.

Chapter 20 began recording the laws of God's covenant with Israel. This started with the Ten Commandments. In this chapter, the Lord provides rules on subjects such as penalties for violent crime and negligence regarding animals. Chapters 22 and 23 continue to provide details about Israel's legal code. Chapter 24 records a confirmation of the covenant. Chapter 25 begins describing the construction of the tabernacle.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 7/31/2025 8:10:50 PM