Bible Commentary

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. 19. walk abroad upon his staff ] a proof of convalescence. The ‘staff’ (lit. something to lean upon) was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:19”

And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with [his] fist, and he die not, but keepeth [his] bed: 18. contend ] or dispute, wrangle in words: rendered strive, Gen 26:20-21, contend, as here, Neh 13:11; Neh 13:17. fist ] Isa 58:4 . So LXX. Vulg. Di.: the Heb. ’egrph … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:18”

And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. 17. Cursing a parent. Comp. Deu 27:16, Lev 20:9 (H): also Pro 20:20; Pro 30:17. In the LXX. this verse stands more suitably immediately after v. 15. It is cited in Mat 15:4 = Mar 7:10. curseth ] a stronger … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:17”

And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. 16. Man-stealing. Cf. Deu 24:7, where the present law is merely expanded, and recast in Deuteronomic phraseology. a man ] in Deu 24:7, expressly limited to an Israelite: so LXX Targ. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:16”

And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death. 15. Striking a parent. Notice that the mother is placed on an equality with the father. smiteth ] simply, without killing: the murder of a parent would fall under the general rule of v. 12. The severity of the penalty … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:15”

But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die. 14. But the protection of the altar is not to be extended to the wilful murderer. Cf. Deu 19:11-13; also the more detailed treatment of the case of wilful murder … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:14”

And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver [him] into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. 13 . Manslaughter, and the right of asylum. The distinction, not found in Homer, but thus early drawn among the Hebrews, between intentional and unintentional homicide is noteworthy: it … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:13”

He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. 12. Murder. The same general principle is laid down in P, Gen 9:6, Num 35:30 f., and in H, Lev 24:17. shall be put to death ] The execution of this penalty was the duty not, as in communities in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:12”

And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money. 11. these three ] The three rights mentioned in v. 10. The view expressed above is the one ordinarily taken of vv. 7 11, vv. 8 10 stating three special cases, falling under the general case of v. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:11”

If he take him another [wife]; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. 10. her flesh ] The case contemplated is that of a well-to-do Israelite, who could have several concubines, and enjoy animal food every day: Israelites of the poorer class ate animal food seldom or never. ‘Flesh’ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 21:10”