Bible Commentary

But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. 29. If, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:29”

If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox [shall be] quit. 28. shall be stoned ] The sanctity of human life demanded that an animal, not less than a man, should … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:28”

And if he smite out his manservant’s tooth, or his maidservant’s tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth’s sake. Verse 27. If he smite out his – tooth] It was a noble law that obliged the unmerciful slaveholder to set the slave at liberty whose eye or tooth he had knocked out. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:27”

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. 26, 27. Striking out the eye or tooth of a slave. The person of slave being not as valuable as that of a free man, the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:26”

Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. 25. wound ] Gen 4:23 c (lit. for my wound). Isa 1:6. stripe ] Gen 4:23 d (lit. for my stripe), Isa 1:6 [EVV. bruises ], Isa 53:5. The talio is a principle of punishment which was anciently, and still is, current widely in the world: … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:25”

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Verse 24. Eye for eye] This is the earliest account we have of the lex talionis, or law of like for like, which afterwards prevailed among the Greeks and Romans. Among the latter, it constituted a part of the twelve tables, so famous … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:24”

And if [any] mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, 23 25. The Lex Talionis. But if any mischief happen, then compensation is to be made on the principle of the lex talionis. Vv. 23 25 are, however, worded quite generally, and mention many injuries not at all likely to happen to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:23”

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]. 22. Injury arising to a pregnant woman out of an affray. And … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:22”

Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he [is] his money. 21. If the slave survives a day or two, his master escapes even the comparatively light penalty of v. 20; for then it is clear that he did not intend to kill him, but only to correct … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:21”

And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. 20. his servant, or his maid ] i.e. (cf. marg.) his male or female slave. a rod ] The usual implement of punishment (Pro 10:13; Pro 13:24). punished ] lit. avenged; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:20”