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he shall be surely punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“And if someone strikes his male or female slave with a rod and <i>the slave</i> dies at his hand, he shall be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And if a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“And if a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall surely be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If a man strikes his male or his female servant with a staff and the servant dies at his hand, he must be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod, and the slave dies under his abuse, the owner must be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod, and the slave dies under his abuse, the owner must be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall surely be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Death is the punishment for beating to death any of your slaves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall surely be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Whenever an owner hits his male or female slave with a stick so that the slave dies from the beating, the owner must be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"If a slave owner takes a stick and beats his slave, whether male or female, and the slave dies on the spot, the owner is to be punished. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"If a man strikes his male or female servant with a stick and he or she dies as a direct result, the master must be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod, and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"If a man strikes his male servant or his female servant with a staff so that he or she dies as a result of the blow, he will surely be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if a man shall smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he shall die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, the man shall surely be punished. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And when a man strikes his manservant or his handmaid with a rod, and he has died under his hand—he is certainly avenged;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And when a man smiteth his man-servant or his handmaid, with a rod, and he hath died under his hand -- he is certainly avenged;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if a man shall strike his servant or his maid with a rod, and he died under his hand, avenging, he shall be avenged.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that striketh his bondman or bondwoman with a rod, and they die under his hands, shall be guilty of the crime. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever strikes his male or female servant with a staff, and if they have died by his hands, he shall be guilty of a crime.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When someone strikes his male or female slave with a rod so that the slave dies under his hand, the act shall certainly be avenged.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When a slaveowner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if a man strikes his servant, or his maid with a staff, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when a man will strike his Servant or his maid with a rod and one dies under his hand, he shall certainly be judged.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And if a man smite his bondman, or his bondwoman, with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall surely be punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if a man smite his man-servant or his maid-servant, with a rod, and <i>the party</i> die under his hands, he shall be surely punished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/21-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5304" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Personal Injury Laws</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>then the one who struck him shall go unpunished, as long as the other can get up and walk around outside with his staff. Nevertheless, he must compensate the man for his lost work and see that he is completely healed. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: wə·ḵî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: yak·keh (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">strikes</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·dōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">his manservant</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/519.htm" title="519: ’ă·mā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A maid, handmaid. Apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or female slave.">maidservant</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: baš·šê·ḇeṭ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">with a rod,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ū·mêṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">and the servant dies</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">by</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">his hand,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5358.htm" title="5358: nā·qōm (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To avenge, take vengeance. A primitive root; to grudge, i.e. Avenge or punish.">he shall surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/5358.htm" title="5358: yin·nā·qêm (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To avenge, take vengeance. A primitive root; to grudge, i.e. Avenge or punish.">be punished.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>However, if the servant gets up after a day or two, the owner shall not be punished, since the servant is his property.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-17.htm">Leviticus 24:17-22</a></span><br />And if a man takes the life of anyone else, he must surely be put to death. / Whoever kills an animal must make restitution—life for life. / If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Deuteronomy 19:21</a></span><br />You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></span><br />Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-16.htm">Numbers 35:16-21</a></span><br />If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. / If anyone has in his hand a deadly object of wood, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38-39</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ / But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a></span><br />For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-25.htm">Colossians 3:25</a></span><br />Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-18.htm">1 Peter 2:18-20</a></span><br />Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. / For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. / How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-9.htm">Ephesians 6:9</a></span><br />And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-1.htm">1 Timothy 6:1-2</a></span><br />All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47-48</a></span><br />That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-8.htm">Proverbs 22:8</a></span><br />He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-1.htm">Isaiah 10:1-2</a></span><br />Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-13.htm">Ezekiel 18:13</a></span><br />He engages in usury and takes excess interest. Will this son live? He will not! Since he has committed all these abominations, he will surely die; his blood will be on his own head.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.</p><p class="hdg">smite</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Exodus 21:26,27</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Deuteronomy 19:21</a></b></br> And thine eye shall not pity; <i>but</i> life <i>shall go</i> for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/29-19.htm">Proverbs 29:19</a></b></br> A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.</p><p class="hdg">he shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a></b></br> Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30-33</a></b></br> 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 <i>to cause him</i> to die… </p><p class="hdg">punished.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-15.htm">Genesis 4:15,24</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/35-19.htm">Numbers 35:19</a></b></br> The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Romans 13:4</a></b></br> 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 <i>execute</i> wrath upon him that doeth evil.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/4-24.htm">Avenged</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Beats</a> <a href="/exodus/21-6.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">Bondwoman</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Die</a> <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/genesis/46-28.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Female</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/exodus/2-8.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Male</a> <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">Man-Servant</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-9.htm">Punished</a> <a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Result</a> <a href="/exodus/17-9.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/exodus/21-19.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Strikes</a> <a href="/exodus/21-17.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/34-17.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">Woman-Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-21.htm">Avenged</a> <a href="/job/39-13.htm">Beats</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Bondwoman</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">Die</a> <a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/21-35.htm">Dies</a> <a href="/exodus/24-12.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Female</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/exodus/21-24.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Male</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Man-Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-21.htm">Punished</a> <a href="/exodus/21-21.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-16.htm">Result</a> <a href="/exodus/26-28.htm">Rod</a> <a href="/exodus/21-21.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-21.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Strikes</a> <a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/numbers/14-34.htm">Undergo</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Woman-Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-1.htm">Laws for men servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">For the servant whose ear is bored</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">For women servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">For manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">For kidnappers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-17.htm">For cursers of parents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">For smiters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">For a hurt by chance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">For an ox that gores</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">For him who is an occasion of harm</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod</b><br>This phrase addresses the treatment of servants, reflecting the social and legal structures of ancient Israel. Servants, often acquired through debt or poverty, were considered part of the household. The use of a rod indicates discipline, a common practice in ancient times for maintaining order. However, the law sets boundaries on this authority, emphasizing the value of human life. The rod symbolizes authority but also the potential for abuse, highlighting the need for justice and compassion.<p><b>and the servant dies by his hand</b><br>The phrase underscores the severity of the action leading to death, which is a critical point in the legal stipulations of the Mosaic Law. The death of a servant due to the master's actions elevates the situation from discipline to a criminal act. This reflects the biblical principle that all life is sacred, as seen in <a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>, where humanity is made in God's image. The law here serves as a deterrent against excessive violence and underscores accountability.<p><b>he shall surely be punished</b><br>This phrase establishes the principle of justice and retribution. The punishment for causing a servant's death indicates that the master is not above the law, aligning with the broader biblical theme of justice found in passages like <a href="/deuteronomy/16-20.htm">Deuteronomy 16:20</a>. The exact nature of the punishment is not specified here, but it implies a serious consequence, possibly even death, as suggested by the principle of "life for life" in <a href="/exodus/21-23.htm">Exodus 21:23</a>. This reflects God's justice and the protection of the vulnerable, foreshadowing the ultimate justice and mercy found in Jesus Christ, who came to fulfill the law (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hebrew_servants.htm">Hebrew Servants</a></b><br>In ancient Israel, servants or slaves were often fellow Hebrews who had sold themselves into servitude due to debt or poverty. They were to be treated with dignity and respect, as they were part of the covenant community.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/master.htm">Master</a></b><br>The person who owns or has authority over the servant. In this context, the master is responsible for the well-being of the servant and is held accountable for any harm caused.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/r/rod.htm">Rod</a></b><br>A tool or instrument used for discipline or punishment. In this context, it symbolizes authority but also the potential for abuse.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/death.htm">Death</a></b><br>The event of the servant dying as a result of the master's actions. This is a critical point in the law, emphasizing the sanctity of life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/punishment.htm">Punishment</a></b><br>The consequence prescribed by the law for the master if the servant dies. This reflects the justice system in place to protect the vulnerable.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/sanctity_of_life.htm">Sanctity of Life</a></b><br>The passage underscores the value of human life, regardless of social status. Every person is precious in God's sight and deserves protection.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_and_justice.htm">Accountability and Justice</a></b><br>The law holds individuals accountable for their actions, emphasizing that authority comes with responsibility. Justice is a key component of God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/ethical_treatment_of_others.htm">Ethical Treatment of Others</a></b><br>The passage calls for humane and ethical treatment of those under our authority. This principle applies to modern relationships, such as employers and employees.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_concern_for_the_vulnerable.htm">God's Concern for the Vulnerable</a></b><br>God’s laws often protect the marginalized and vulnerable, reflecting His heart for justice and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflection_of_god's_character.htm">Reflection of God's Character</a></b><br>As believers, our actions should reflect God's character, including His justice, mercy, and love for all people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_allow_beating_if_servant_survives.htm">In Exodus 21:20–21, why is beating a servant with impunity permitted if the servant survives a day or two? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_you_be_trusted_with_all_things.htm">Is it right to desire what others possess?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_exodus_20_with_21.htm">If the law in Exodus 20 represents a divine moral standard, how do we reconcile it with passages (like Exodus 21) that regulate slavery and allow seemingly oppressive practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_allow_slavery_but_ban_mixed_fabrics.htm">Why does the Old Testament law forbid mixing fabrics and eating shellfish but allow slavery?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">And if a man smite his servant.</span>--The homicide hitherto considered has been that of freemen; but the Mosaic Law was not content to stop at this point. Unlike most other codes, it proceeded to forbid the homicide of slaves. Hitherto, throughout the East, and also in many parts of the West, slaves had been regarded as so absolutely their master's property that he was entitled to do as he pleased with them. Now, for the first time--so far as we know--was the life of the slave protected. The exact extent of the protection is uncertain. According to the Talmud, the master who killed his slave was put to death; according to some modern Jews, as Kalisch, he had merely to pay a fine. In any case, the killing was an offence of which the law took cognisance. Later on it appears that even assaults on slaves, if they reached a certain intensity, were unlawful, and involved the slave's compulsory emancipation (<a href="/context/exodus/21-26.htm" title="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.">Exodus 21:26-27</a>).<p><span class= "bld">With a rod.</span>--The usual instrument of punishment. It would follow, as a matter of course, that if a more dangerous implement was used the master was punished with equal, or greater, severity.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 20, 21.</span> - <span class="accented">Homicide of slaves</span>. In most ancient states the slave was the absolute property of his master, and might be ill-used to any extent, even killed, without the law in any way interfering. It is said that the state of things was different in Egypt (Kalisch); but we have scarcely sufficient evidence on the point to be certain that the slave enjoyed there any real and efficient protection. At Athens, beyond a doubt, the law protected the life of the slave; and a very moderate amount of ill-treatment entitled a slave to bring an action. At Rome, on the contrary, "the master could treat the slave as he pleased, could sell him, punish him, and put him to death" (<span class="accented">Dict. of Greek & Roman Antiq</span>. p. 1036). And this was the ordinary state of the law, particularly in Oriental countries. The Mosaic legislation must be regarded as having greatly ameliorated the condition of the native slave population. Hebrew bondmen it placed nearly upon a par with hired servants (<a href="/leviticus/25-40.htm">Leviticus 25:40</a>); foreign slaves, whether prisoners taken in war, or persons bought in the market, it protected to a very great extent. By the law given in verses 26, 27, it largely controlled the brutality of masters, who had to emancipate their slaves if they did them any serious injury. By the law laid down in verse 20, it gave their lives the same protection, or nearly the same, as the lives of freemen. "Smiting "was allowed as a discipline, without which slavery cannot exist; but such smiting as resulted in death was, as a general rule, punishable like any other homicide. The only exception was, if the slave did not die for some days (ver. 21). In that case the master was considered not to have intended the slave' s death, and to be sufficiently punished by the loss of his property. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If a man smite his servant, or his maid</span>. "Maids" would commonly be chastised by their mistress, or by an upper servant acting under the mistress' s authority. "A man" here means "any one." With a rod. The rods wherewith Egyptian slaves were chastised appear upon the monuments. They were long canes, like those used by our schoolmasters. Under his hand. Criminals in the East are said often to die under the bastinado; and even in our own country there have been cases of soldiers dying under the lash. A special delicacy of the nervous system will make a punishment of the kind fatal to some, which would have been easily borne by others. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/21-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכִֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֨ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">strikes</span><br /><span class="heb">יַכֶּה֩</span> <span class="translit">(yak·keh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his male</span><br /><span class="heb">עַבְדּ֜וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḇ·dōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֤וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">female servant</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲמָתוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·mā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_519.htm">Strong's 519: </a> </span><span class="str2">A maidservant, female slave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with a rod,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּשֵּׁ֔בֶט</span> <span class="translit">(baš·šê·ḇeṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the servant dies</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמֵ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֣חַת</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his hand,</span><br /><span class="heb">יָד֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he shall surely</span><br /><span class="heb">נָקֹ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(nā·qōm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5358.htm">Strong's 5358: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grudge, avenge, punish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be punished.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִנָּקֵֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(yin·nā·qêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5358.htm">Strong's 5358: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grudge, avenge, punish</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/21-20.htm">Exodus 21:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">OT Law: Exodus 21:20 If a man strikes his servant (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/21-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 21:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>