CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 21:17 Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/21-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/02_Exo_21_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 21:17 - Personal Injury Laws" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/21-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/21-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/21-16.htm" title="Exodus 21:16">◄</a> Exodus 21:17 <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm" title="Exodus 21:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Anyone who dishonors father or mother must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“And one who curses his father or his mother shall certainly be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Whoever curses his father or his mother <i>or</i> treats them contemptuously must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Whoever curses his father or his mother must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever curses his father or his mother must be put to death.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death.<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 cursing your father or mother. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Whoever curses his father or mother must be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Whoever curses his father or his mother is to be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Whoever curses his father or his mother is certainly to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Whoever treats his father or his mother disgracefully must surely be put to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he who is reviling his father or his mother is certainly put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And he who is reviling his father or his mother is certainly put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he making light of his father and his mother, dying, he shall die.<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 curseth his father, or mother, shall die the death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever speaks evil of his father or mother shall die a death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whoever curses father or mother shall be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever curses father or mother shall be put to death.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He who will revile his father or his mother surely shall be killed.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He that reviles his father or his mother shall surely die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/21-17.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=5276" 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">16</span>Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: ū·mə·qal·lêl (Conj-w:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">Anyone who curses</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: wə·’im·mōw (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">or mother</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mō·wṯ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">must surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: yū·māṯ (V-Hofal-Imperf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">be put to death.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>If men are quarreling and one strikes the other with a stone or a fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed,…<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/20-9.htm">Leviticus 20:9</a></span><br />If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother; his blood shall be upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-18.htm">Deuteronomy 21:18-21</a></span><br />If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, / his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, / and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-4.htm">Matthew 15:4</a></span><br />For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-10.htm">Mark 7:10</a></span><br />For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-20.htm">Proverbs 20:20</a></span><br />Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/30-17.htm">Proverbs 30:17</a></span><br />As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-19.htm">Matthew 19:19</a></span><br />honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-2.htm">Ephesians 6:2-3</a></span><br />“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-30.htm">Romans 1:30</a></span><br />slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-2.htm">2 Timothy 3:2</a></span><br />For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a></span><br />Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-16.htm">Deuteronomy 5:16</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-20.htm">Colossians 3:20</a></span><br />Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">1 Timothy 1:9</a></span><br />We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he that curses his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.</p><p class="hdg">curseth or veliteth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Leviticus 20:9</a></b></br> For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood <i>shall be</i> upon him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/27-16.htm">Deuteronomy 27:16</a></b></br> Cursed <i>be</i> he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/20-20.htm">Proverbs 20:20</a></b></br> Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/27-29.htm">Curses</a> <a href="/genesis/27-29.htm">Curseth</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">Cursing</a> <a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/jude/1-9.htm">Reviling</a> <a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Curses</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Curseth</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Cursing</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Death</a> <a href="/exodus/22-30.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-26.htm">Reviling</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Surely</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>Anyone who curses his father or mother</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of honoring one's parents, a commandment deeply rooted in the cultural and religious fabric of ancient Israel. The family unit was central to societal stability, and respect for parents was seen as foundational to maintaining order. This commandment is an extension of the fifth commandment found in <a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>, which calls for honoring one's father and mother. In the ancient Near Eastern context, cursing one's parents was considered a severe violation of social norms and divine law, reflecting a rebellious heart against God's established order.<p><b>must surely be put to death</b><br>The prescribed punishment underscores the gravity of the offense. In the theocratic society of ancient Israel, certain sins were considered capital offenses because they threatened the covenant community's holiness and integrity. This severe penalty served as a deterrent against actions that could undermine family and societal structures. The death penalty for cursing parents is also mentioned in <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Leviticus 20:9</a>, reinforcing its seriousness. While the New Testament does not prescribe such penalties, it upholds the principle of honoring parents (<a href="/ephesians/6.htm">Ephesians 6:1-3</a>). This reflects the continuity of moral law while recognizing the shift from the Old Covenant's civil and ceremonial laws to the New Covenant's emphasis on grace and internal transformation through Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai, including the commandments found in <a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Exodus 21</a>.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were given the Law to guide their conduct and relationship with God and each other.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where God delivered the Law to Moses, including the civil and moral laws for the Israelite community.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine lawgiver who established the covenant with Israel and provided the commandments to maintain order and holiness among His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctity_of_family_relationships.htm">The Sanctity of Family Relationships</a></b><br>The commandment underscores the importance of family and the respect due to parents as foundational to societal stability and personal holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_words.htm">The Seriousness of Words</a></b><br>Words have power, and cursing one's parents is seen as a grave offense. This teaches us to be mindful of our speech and the respect we owe to those in authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law.htm">The Role of the Law</a></b><br>The harsh penalty reflects the Law's role in maintaining order and holiness among God's people. It points to the need for a heart transformation, which is fulfilled in Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_and_authority.htm">Respect and Authority</a></b><br>This commandment teaches the broader principle of respecting authority, which is applicable in various aspects of life, including workplaces, churches, and governments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_grace.htm">The Need for Grace</a></b><br>While the Law shows the standard of holiness, it also reveals humanity's need for grace and redemption through Jesus Christ, who fulfills the Law on our behalf.<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_capital_punishment_for_minor_sins.htm">Why does the Old Testament prescribe capital punishment for minor offenses?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_stance_on_stoning_rebels.htm">What does the Bible say about stoning rebellious children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_respecting_parents.htm">What does the Bible say about respecting parents?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_stoning_a_son_conflict_with_'do_not_murder'.htm">Deuteronomy 21:18-21: Does the mandate to stone a rebellious son conflict with the commandment against murder (Exodus 20:13)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that curseth his father</span>, etc. Blasphemy against God, and imprecations upon parents, were the only two sins of the tongue which the law expressly required to be punished with death (<a href="/leviticus/24-16.htm">Leviticus 24:16</a>). In later times analogy was held to require that "cursing the ruler of the people" (<a href="/exodus/22-28.htm">Exodus 22:28</a>) should be visited with the same penalty (<a href="/2_samuel/19-22.htm">2 Samuel 19:22</a>; <a href="/1_kings/2-8.htm">1 Kings 2:8, 9, 46</a>). The severity of the sentence indicates that in God' s sight such sins are of the deepest dye. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/21-17.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">Whoever curses</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמְקַלֵּ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·qal·lêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slight, swift or trifling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his father</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֛יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or mother</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִמּ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must surely</span><br /><span class="heb">מ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<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">be put to death.</span><br /><span class="heb">יוּמָֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(yū·māṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/21-17.htm">Exodus 21:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/21-17.htm">OT Law: Exodus 21:17 Anyone who curses his father or his (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/21-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 21:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:18" /></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>