◄ Exodus 21:21 ►
However, if the servant gets up after a day or two, the owner shall not be punished, since the servant is his property.
Study Bible
But if the servant recovers
This phrase introduces a conditional situation, emphasizing the potential for recovery. The Hebrew word for "servant" here is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which can mean servant, slave, or bondman. In ancient Israelite society, servitude was often a result of debt or poverty, and the law provided certain protections for servants. The possibility of recovery suggests a concern for the well-being of the servant, indicating that the injury was not intended to be fatal or permanently debilitating.

after a day or two
This time frame indicates a short period, suggesting that the injury was not severe enough to cause immediate death. The Hebrew context implies a waiting period to assess the servant's condition. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this reflects a legal principle of assessing the outcome of an injury before determining culpability. It underscores the importance of patience and careful judgment in legal matters.

the owner shall not be punished
The Hebrew word for "punished" is "נָקָם" (naqam), which means to avenge or take vengeance. This phrase indicates that if the servant recovers, the owner is not subject to retribution. This reflects the legal principle of lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, which was common in ancient legal systems. The absence of punishment in this case suggests that the injury was not deemed intentional or malicious.

since the servant is his property
The term "property" here is translated from the Hebrew word "כֶּסֶף" (kesef), which literally means "silver" or "money," but in this context, it refers to the economic value or investment the owner has in the servant. This phrase reflects the socio-economic realities of the time, where servants were considered part of a household's assets. However, it is crucial to understand this within the broader biblical narrative, which includes numerous laws aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of servants, such as the Year of Jubilee and the prohibition against harsh treatment.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Exodus, who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai and communicated it to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The people to whom the laws in Exodus were given, as they were forming a new society after their liberation from Egypt.

3. Slaves
Individuals who were in servitude, often due to debt or as a result of war, and whose treatment is addressed in this passage.

4. Slave Owners
Individuals who held slaves and were subject to specific laws regarding their treatment.

5. Mount Sinai
The place where Moses received the Law from God, including the laws concerning slavery.
Teaching Points
Understanding Context
Recognize the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, where slavery was a common practice, and the laws were given to regulate and mitigate its harshness.

Value of Human Life
Despite the cultural acceptance of slavery, the Bible consistently affirms the value and dignity of every human being, created in the image of God.

Progressive Revelation
The laws in Exodus reflect a step towards more humane treatment, pointing forward to the fuller revelation of equality and freedom in Christ.

Moral Responsibility
Even within the constraints of ancient societal norms, there is an emphasis on the moral responsibility of slave owners to treat their slaves justly.

Application to Modern Contexts
Consider how principles of justice, dignity, and equality can be applied in contemporary issues of human rights and labor practices.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the historical context of ancient Israel help us interpret Exodus 21:21?

2. In what ways does the concept of being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) challenge the practice of slavery?

3. How do the laws in Exodus 21:21 reflect a movement towards more humane treatment of individuals in servitude?

4. What lessons can we learn from the New Testament about the treatment of others, regardless of social status, that can be applied today?

5. How can we apply the principles of justice and dignity found in Exodus 21:21 to modern issues of labor and human rights?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1:27
This verse emphasizes the inherent dignity of all humans as made in the image of God, which provides a broader context for understanding the treatment of slaves.

Leviticus 25:39-43
These verses provide additional laws regarding the treatment of Hebrew slaves, emphasizing fair treatment and the eventual release of slaves.

Deuteronomy 15:12-15
This passage discusses the release of Hebrew slaves after six years, highlighting the importance of freedom and fair treatment.

Galatians 3:28
In the New Testament, this verse speaks to the equality of all believers in Christ, transcending social distinctions such as slave and free.

Philemon 1:16
Paul’s letter to Philemon encourages the treatment of a slave as a brother in Christ, reflecting a transformative view of relationships in the Christian community.
Sermons
Bodily InjuriesJ. Orr Exodus 21:18-36
Masters and ServantsG. Hughes, B. D.Exodus 21:20-21
People
Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Avenged, Continue, Gets, Goes, However, Master, Money, Notwithstanding, Property, Punished, Punishment, Servant, Slave, Survives, Vengeance
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 21:15-25

     6206   offence

Exodus 21:20-21

     5404   masters

Library
The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Kinsman Redeemer
'After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him.'--LEV. xxv. 48. There are several of the institutions and precepts of the Mosaic legislation which, though not prophetic, nor typical, have yet remarkable correspondences with lofty Christian truth. They may be used as symbols, if only we remember that we are diverting them from their original purpose. How singularly these words lend themselves to the statement of the very central truths of Christianity--a slavery …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Non-Resistance
'Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.'--MATT. v. 38-42. The old law …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of the House of God; with Counsels and Directions to the Inhabitants Thereof.
BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. 'Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.'--Psalm 26:8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Beautiful in its simplicity is this treatise on the Church of Christ, by John Bunyan. He opens, with profound knowledge and eminent skill, all those portions of sacred writ which illustrate the nature, excellency, and government of the house of God, with the personal and relative duties of its inhabitants. It was originally published in …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place: but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king, …
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to …
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic Teaching.
It was probably on one of those mountain-ranges, which stretch to the north of Capernaum, that Jesus had spent the night of lonely prayer, which preceded the designation of the twelve to the Apostolate. As the soft spring morning broke, He called up those who had learned to follow Him, and from among them chose the twelve, who were to be His Ambassadors and Representatives. [2500] [2501] But already the early light had guided the eager multitude which, from all parts, had come to the broad level …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes - Examination of their Distinctive Doctrines.
APART from the repulsively carnal form which it had taken, there is something absolutely sublime in the continuance and intensity of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. It outlived not only the delay of long centuries, but the persecutions and scattering of the people; it continued under the disappointment of the Maccabees, the rule of a Herod, the administration of a corrupt and contemptible Priesthood, and, finally, the government of Rome as represented by a Pilate; nay, it grew in intensity …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

That Deep Things Ought not to be Preached at all to Weak Souls.
But the preacher should know how to avoid drawing the mind of his hearer beyond its strength, lest, so to speak, the string of the soul, when stretched more than it can bear, should be broken. For all deep things should be covered up before a multitude of hearers, and scarcely opened to a few. For hence the Truth in person says, Who, thinkest thou, is the faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord has appointed over his household, to give them their measure of wheat in due season? (Luke xii. 42). …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia.
Part I. History of the Councils. Reason why two Councils were called. Inconsistency and folly of calling any; and of the style of the Arian formularies; occasion of the Nicene Council; proceedings at Ariminum; Letter of the Council to Constantius; its decree. Proceedings at Seleucia; reflections on the conduct of the Arians. 1. Perhaps news has reached even yourselves concerning the Council, which is at this time the subject of general conversation; for letters both from the Emperor and the Prefects …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Exodus 21:21 NIV
Exodus 21:21 NLT
Exodus 21:21 ESV
Exodus 21:21 NASB
Exodus 21:21 KJV

Exodus 21:21 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Exodus 21:20
Top of Page
Top of Page