The Value of Human Life
Exodus 21:12-14 emphasizes the sanctity of life, prescribing severe consequences for murder while distinguishing between intentional and unintentional acts.

Justice and Restitution
Verses 18-19 and 22-25 outline principles of restitution, highlighting the importance of making amends and restoring what has been lost or damaged.

Protection for Servants
The chapter begins with laws regarding Hebrew servants (Exodus 21:1-11), underscoring the need for fair treatment and the protection of vulnerable individuals.

Equality Before the Law
The eye for an eye principle (Exodus 21:23-25) underscores the idea of proportional justice, ensuring that punishment fits the crime without excess.

Responsibility and Accountability
Verses 28-36 address the responsibility of individuals for their property and actions, emphasizing accountability in community life.Value Human Life
In our daily interactions, we should uphold the sanctity of life, treating others with respect and dignity.

Seek Justice and Reconciliation
When wronged or when we wrong others, we should strive for reconciliation and restitution, reflecting God's justice.

Protect the Vulnerable
Advocate for fair treatment of those who are marginalized or in positions of servitude, ensuring their rights and dignity are upheld.

Practice Fairness
In our judgments and decisions, aim for fairness and proportionality, avoiding excessive or unjust responses.

Be Responsible
Take responsibility for our actions and their impact on others, being mindful of how we manage our resources and relationships.1. Hebrew Servant
A male Hebrew servant is mentioned in Exodus 21:2-6. He is to serve for six years and be released in the seventh year without payment. If he enters service single, he leaves single; if married, his wife leaves with him. If he chooses to stay with his master, he undergoes a ritual to become a servant for life.

2. Master
The master is the person who owns the Hebrew servant. The master is responsible for the servant's well-being and must release him in the seventh year (Exodus 21:2-6).

3. Wife and Children of the Servant
If a servant is given a wife by his master and she bears children, the wife and children remain the master's property if the servant chooses to leave after six years (Exodus 21:4).

4. Female Servant
A female servant is mentioned in Exodus 21:7-11. She is not to be released as male servants are. If she does not please her master, she must be redeemed, and not sold to foreigners. If betrothed to the master's son, she is to be treated as a daughter.

5. Owner of an Ox
The owner of an ox is mentioned in the context of an ox that gores a person to death. The owner is held responsible if the ox was known to be dangerous and not confined (Exodus 21:28-32).

6. Victim of an Ox
The person who is gored by an ox, resulting in death, is mentioned in Exodus 21:28-32. The law provides for the ox to be stoned and the owner to be punished if negligence is proven.

7. Father of a Daughter
In Exodus 21:7-11, the father of a daughter who is sold as a servant is implied. The laws ensure her protection and rights within her master's household.

8. Man Who Strikes Another
A man who strikes another person, leading to injury or death, is mentioned in Exodus 21:12-27. Various laws dictate the consequences based on the severity and intent of the act.

9. Pregnant Woman
A pregnant woman is mentioned in Exodus 21:22-25 in the context of men fighting and causing her to give birth prematurely. The law prescribes compensation if there is no serious injury, but life-for-life if there is harm.

10. Slave
A slave is mentioned in Exodus 21:20-21, where the law addresses the punishment of a master who beats a slave to death. The slave is considered property, but the master is punished if the slave dies immediately.Exodus 21 in the Berean Standard Bible does not specifically mention any geographical places. This chapter primarily deals with laws and ordinances given to the Israelites, focusing on topics such as the treatment of servants, personal injury laws, and property rights. Since there are no specific locations mentioned in this chapter, a numbered list of places cannot be provided.

If you have any other questions or need further information on a different topic, feel free to ask!1. Laws Regarding Hebrew Servants (Exodus 21:1-6)
Hebrew servants are to serve for six years and be released in the seventh year without payment. If a servant enters alone, he leaves alone; if married, his wife leaves with him. If the master gives him a wife and she bears children, the wife and children remain with the master. If the servant declares love for his master and family and wishes to stay, he is to be brought before God, and his ear is pierced as a sign of lifelong servitude.

2. Rights of Female Servants (Exodus 21:7-11)
A man selling his daughter as a servant does not allow her to go free as male servants do. If she does not please her master, he must allow her to be redeemed. If betrothed to his son, she is to be treated as a daughter. If he marries another, he must not deprive her of food, clothing, or marital rights. Failure to do so allows her to go free.

3. Laws on Personal Injury (Exodus 21:12-27)
Various laws concerning personal injury are outlined, including the death penalty for murder, cities of refuge for accidental killings, and penalties for striking or cursing parents. The principle of "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth" is established for injuries.

4. Laws on Animal Control and Responsibility (Exodus 21:28-36)
If an ox gores a person to death, the ox is to be stoned, and its meat not eaten. If the ox was known to gore and the owner did not restrain it, the owner is also to be put to death or pay a ransom. If an ox gores a slave, the owner pays thirty shekels of silver to the master. Laws also cover compensation for animals falling into uncovered pits and for oxen injuring each other.Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus' teaching on turning the other cheek offers a deeper understanding of justice and mercy beyond the eye for an eye principle.

Micah 6:8
This verse encapsulates the call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, reflecting the heart of the laws in Exodus 21.

James 2:8-13
The call to love our neighbor as ourselves and the warning against favoritism align with the principles of justice and equality found in Exodus 21.Pray for wisdom to understand and apply God's principles of justice in our lives.
Ask for a heart that values and respects all human life, reflecting God's love and compassion.
Seek God's guidance in advocating for the vulnerable and marginalized in our communities.
Pray for the strength to take responsibility for our actions and to seek reconciliation where needed.
Ask for the Holy Spirit's help in practicing fairness and mercy in all our dealings.

As we reflect on Exodus 21, may we be inspired to live out these timeless principles in our daily lives, honoring God and serving others with justice and love.

1. What does the principle of releasing a Hebrew servant in the seventh year teach us about God's view of freedom?

2. How might the practice of a servant choosing to serve their master for life relate to our commitment to God?

3. How can we understand the seemingly harsh laws about treating servants in the context of the ancient Near East?

4. What insights can we gain about God's view of women from the laws concerning female servants?

5. What can the punishment for striking or cursing parents teach us about God's value of family relationships?

6. How does the "eye for an eye" principle balance justice with mercy?

7. What do the laws regarding accidental and premeditated murder teach us about intent in our actions?

8. How do the laws concerning property ownership and liability speak to our responsibility for our actions and possessions?

9. How can we apply the principle of compensation for injury or loss in our relationships today?

10. In what ways might the ordinances about treating servants challenge our understanding of fairness and justice?

11. Why do you think God included specific laws about damage caused by livestock?

12. What implications might the laws regarding pits and uncovered hazards have on our responsibility for public safety today?

13. How does the "ox for ox" compensation rule reflect fairness in dealing with property damage?

14. How might the laws regarding capital punishment for crimes like murder and kidnapping be understood in today's legal context?

15. What principles can we draw from these laws that might guide our conduct and interactions with others today?

16. How can the law regarding the striking of a pregnant woman and the subsequent premature birth inform our views on the sanctity of life?

17. How does the principle of the master's liability for the actions of his livestock translate into today's context of responsibility?

18. Why do you think God included such specific laws for societal living among the Israelites?

19. How can we reconcile the harsher laws in this chapter with our understanding of God's love and mercy?

20. How might the laws in this passage be relevant in shaping the ethics of a Christian today?