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<!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 21:1 "These are the ordinances that you are to set before them:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/21-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/02_Exo_21_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 21:1 - Laws for Servants" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="These are the ordinances that you are to set before them:" /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.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/20-26.htm" title="Exodus 20:26">◄</a> Exodus 21:1 <a href="/exodus/21-2.htm" title="Exodus 21:2">►</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 />&#8220These are the laws you are to set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“These are the regulations you must present to Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Now these are the rules that you shall set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“These are the ordinances that you are to set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now these <i>are</i> the judgments which thou shalt set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Now these <i>are</i> the judgments which you shall set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Now these are the ordinances which you are to set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now these are the ordinances which you are to set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now these are the ordinances which you are to set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Now these are the judgments which you are to set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Now these are the ordinances (laws) which you shall set before the Israelites:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“These are the ordinances that you are to set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />These are the ordinances that you must set before them:&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now these are the ordinances which thou shalt set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD gave Moses the following laws for his people: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[The LORD continued,] "Here are the legal decisions to be used by the Israelites:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Give the Israelites the following laws: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"These are the ordinances that you are to set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?These are the ordinances that you are to set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"These are the decisions that you will set before them: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And these [are] the judgments which you set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And these are the judgments which thou dost set before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And these the judgments which thou shalt set before them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />These are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“These are the judgments which you shall place before them:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />These are the ordinances you shall lay before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />These are the ordinances that you shall set before them:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />NOW these are the judgments which you shall set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And these are the judgments that you shall set before them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now these are the ordinances which thou shalt set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And these <i>are</i> the ordinances which thou shalt set before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/21-1.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=5150" 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">Laws for Servants</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: wə·’êl·leh (Conj-w:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">“These</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: ham·miš·pā·ṭîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Judgment. ">are the ordinances</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: tā·śîm (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">you are to set</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê·hem (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before them:</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything.…<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="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Deuteronomy 15:12-18</a></span><br />If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-46</a></span><br />If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8-17</a></span><br />After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD / that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage. / So all the officials and all the people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their menservants and maidservants and no longer hold them in bondage. They obeyed and released them, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Nehemiah 5:1-13</a></span><br />About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. / Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.” / Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-20</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19-25</a></span><br />Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. / A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one. / Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12</a></span><br />So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-8.htm">1 Timothy 1:8-10</a></span><br />Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. / 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, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-14.htm">Colossians 2:14-17</a></span><br />having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! / And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. / Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm">Hebrews 8:6-13</a></span><br />Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. / For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. / But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8-12</a></span><br />If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. / But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. / Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-5.htm">Ezekiel 18:5-9</a></span><br />Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right: / He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her period. / He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-21.htm">Isaiah 42:21</a></span><br />The LORD was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to magnify His law and make it glorious.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-7.htm">Psalm 19:7-11</a></span><br />The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. / The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. / The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-9.htm">1 Corinthians 9:9-10</a></span><br />For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? / Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them.</p><p class="hdg">the judgments</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-5.htm">Leviticus 18:5,26</a></b></br> Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I <i>am</i> the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-37.htm">Leviticus 19:37</a></b></br> Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-22.htm">Leviticus 20:22</a></b></br> Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.</p><p class="hdg">which</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/19-7.htm">Exodus 19:7</a></b></br> And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Exodus 24:3,4</a></b></br> And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-5.htm">Deuteronomy 4:5,8</a></b></br> Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/12-12.htm">Judgments</a> <a href="/exodus/20-6.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/exodus/18-20.htm">Ordinances</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Judgments</a> <a href="/exodus/24-7.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Ordinances</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'; 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These are part of the covenantal laws that follow the Ten Commandments, providing detailed applications for the community. The Hebrew word used here is "mishpatim," which often denotes judgments or legal decisions. This indicates a structured legal system intended to guide the moral and social conduct of the Israelites. The ordinances are part of the broader Mosaic Law, which includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. These laws reflect God's character and His desire for justice and righteousness among His people.<p><b>that you are to set before them:</b><br>Moses is instructed to present these laws to the Israelites, emphasizing the role of leadership in teaching and upholding God's commandments. The phrase "set before them" implies clarity and accessibility, ensuring that the people understand the laws they are to follow. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God provides guidance, and the people are expected to obey. The setting of these laws before the people also foreshadows the New Covenant, where God's laws are written on the hearts of believers (<a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a>). Moses acts as a mediator, a type of Christ, who also sets forth God's commandments and teachings to His followers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites who received the laws and ordinances from God on Mount Sinai. He is the mediator between God and the people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now receiving God's laws to govern their community.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and other laws, including the ordinances in <a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Exodus 21</a>.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine lawgiver who provides these ordinances to guide His people in righteousness and justice.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>The agreement between God and the Israelites, of which these ordinances are a part, establishing the terms of their relationship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_justice.htm">Understanding God's Justice</a></b><br>The ordinances in <a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Exodus 21</a> reflect God's justice and concern for order within the community. They provide a framework for fair treatment and accountability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_law_in_society.htm">The Role of Law in Society</a></b><br>These laws were given to maintain social order and protect individuals, especially the vulnerable. They remind us of the importance of laws in promoting justice and peace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_and_ethical_living.htm">Moral and Ethical Living</a></b><br>The ordinances serve as a guide for moral and ethical behavior, encouraging us to live in a way that honors God and respects others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_relationship.htm">Covenant Relationship</a></b><br>The giving of these ordinances is part of God's covenant with Israel, reminding us of the importance of living in faithful relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/application_to_modern_life.htm">Application to Modern Life</a></b><br>While the specific ordinances may not directly apply today, the principles of justice, fairness, and respect for others are timeless and relevant.<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/is_there_evidence_exodus_21_laws_were_used.htm">Historically or archaeologically, is there evidence that these specific slave and injury laws were widely practiced as described in Exodus 21?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_god's_mercy_and_judgment.htm">How do we resolve the apparent contradiction between God's mercy in other passages and His severe judgment here (Lev 10)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_servanthood.htm">What does the Bible teach about servanthood?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_early_israelites_offer_firstfruits.htm">How did early Israelites fulfill the centralized requirement of bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26) before a formal temple or priesthood was consistently established?</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>XXI.<p>LAWS CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS.</span><p>(1) <span class= "bld">These are the judgments.</span>--"The laws" (Knobel), "the rights" (Keil), "the rules which shall guide judicial decisions" (Pool). The paraphrase alone gives the full meaning.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">These are the judgments</span>. The term "judgment" applies most properly to the decisions of courts and the laws founded upon them. No doubt the laws contained in the "Book of the Covenant" were to a large extent old laws, which had been often acted on; but we should do wrong to suppose that there was nothing new in the legislation. The Hebrew <span class="accented">mishphat</span> is used with some vagueness. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Vers 2-11.</span> - <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/21-1.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">These</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are the ordinances</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miš·pā·ṭîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are to set</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּשִׂ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(tā·śîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before them:</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/21-1.htm">Exodus 21:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/21-1.htm">OT Law: Exodus 21:1 Now these are the ordinances which you (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/20-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 20:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:2" /></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>