Exodus 21
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Now these are the judgments - There is so much good sense, feeling, humanity, equity, and justice in the following laws, that they cannot but be admired by every intelligent reader; and they are so very plain as to require very little comment. The laws in this chapter are termed political, those in the succeeding chapter judicial, laws; and are supposed to have been delivered to Moses alone, in consequence of the request of the people, Exo 20:19, that God should communicate his will to Moses, and that Moses should, as mediator, convey it to them.
Open source ↗LAWS FOR MENSERVANTS. (Exo 21:1-6) judgments--rules for regulating the procedure of judges and magistrates in the decision of cases and the trial of criminals. The government of the Israelites being a theocracy, those public authorities were the servants of the Divine Sovereign, and subject to His direction. Most of these laws here noticed were primitive usages, founded on principles of natural equity, and incorporated, with modifications and improvements, in the Mosaic code.
Open source ↗Now these are the judgments,.... The judicial laws respecting the civil state of the people of Israel, so called because they are founded on justice and equity, and are according to the judgment of God, whose judgment is according to truth; and because they are such by which the commonwealth of Israel was to be judged or governed, and were to be the rule of their conduct to one another, and a rule of judgment to their judges in the execution of judgment and justice among them: which thou shall set before them; besides the ten commands before delivered. They were spoken by God himself in the hearing of the people; these were delivered to Moses after he went up to the mount again, at the request of the people, to be their mediator, to be by him set before them as the rule of their behaviour, and to enjoin them the observance of them; in order to which he was not only to rehearse them, but to write them out, and set them in a plain and easy light before them: and though they did not hear these with their own ears from God himself, as the ten commands; yet, as they had the utmost reason to believe they came from him, and it was at their own request that he, and not God, might speak unto them what was further to be said, with a promise they would obey it, as if they had immediately heard it from him; it became them to receive these laws as of God, and yield a cheerful obedience to them; nor do we find they ever questioned the authority of them; and as their government was a Theocracy, and God was more immediately their King than he was of any other people, it was but right, and what might be expected, that they should have their civil laws from him, and which was their privilege, and gave them the preference to all other nations, Deu 4:5.
Open source ↗The mishpatim (Exo 21:1) are not the "laws, which were to be in force and serve as rules of action," as Knobel affirms, but the rights, by which the national life was formed into a civil commonwealth and the political order secured. These rights had reference first of all to the relation in which the individuals stood one towards another. The personal rights of dependants are placed at the head (Exo 21:2-11); and first those of slaves (Exo 21:2-6), which are still more minutely explained in Deu 15:12-18, where the observance of them is urged upon the hearts of the people on subjective grounds.
Open source ↗The first verse is the general title of the laws contained in this and the two following chapters, some of them relating to the religious worship of God, but most of them relating to matters between man and man. Their government being purely a Theocracy, that which in other states is to be settled by human prudence was directed among them by a divine appointment, so that the constitution of their government was peculiarly adapted to make them happy. These laws are called judgments, because they are framed in infinite wisdom and equity, and because their magistrates were to give judgment according to the people. In the doubtful cases that had hitherto occurred, Moses had particularly enquired of God for them, as appeared, Exo 18:15; but now God gave him statutes in general by which to determine particular cases, which likewise he must apply to other like cases that might happen, which, falling under the same reason, fell under the same rule. He begins with the laws concerning servants, commanding mercy and moderation towards them. The Israelites had lately been servants themselves; and now that they had become, not only their own masters, but masters of servants too, lest they should abuse their servants, as they themselves had been abused and ruled with rigour by the Egyptian task-masters, provision was made by these laws for the mild and gentle usage of servants. Note, If those who have had power over us have been injurious to us this will not in the least excuse us if we be in like manner injurious to those who are under our power, but will rather aggravate our crime, because, in that case, we may the more easily put our souls into their soul's stead. Here is, I. A law concerning men-servants, sold, either by themselves or their parents, through poverty, or by the jud…
Open source ↗21:1–23:33 The terms of the covenant are now expanded. The beginning section (21:1–23:19) gives specific examples of the general principles stated in 20:3-17. The commitments to which God bound himself if the Israelites kept their side of the covenant are stated in 23:20-33, as are the blessings of obedience. 21:1–23:19 The statements found here are in the typical case-law format of ancient Near Eastern law codes. This format begins with a hypothetical situation introduced by the word “if.” The following statement of what is to be done in such a case is introduced by “then.” While some cases are grouped into categories in these chapters, there is little attempt to separate personal, civil, or ceremonial laws from one another. For God, life is not compartmentalized. All of life is lived in relationship to God, so all kinds of behavior signify whether we are in loving submission to him or in defiance of him. 21:1-11 Slavery was a fact of life in the ancient world. In some cases, it was the only resort for those who were destitute. In much of the ancient world, people who were slaves felt that the gods had abandoned them. But the Lord cares about those who are in this helpless condition, so his covenant people must care also. Ultimately, the revelation that Jesus Christ had died for all people everywhere would make the practice of slavery untenable (Gal 3:28).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗קָנָה (qânâh, H7069) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively,… עִבְרִי (ʻIbrîy, H5680) — an Eberite (i.e. Hebrew) or descendant of Eber עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. שְׁבִיעִי (shᵉbîyʻîy, H7637) — seventh יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… חׇפְשִׁי (chophshîy, H2670) — exempt (from bondage, tax or care) חִנָּם (chinnâm, H2600) — gratis, i.e. devoid of cost, reason or advantage
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) גַּף (gaph, H1610) — the back; by extension the body or self יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman
Open source ↗אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… גַּף (gaph, H1610) — the back; by extension the body or self
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… חׇפְשִׁי (chophshîy, H2670) — exempt (from bondage, tax or care)
Open source ↗אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor מְזוּזָה (mᵉzûwzâh, H4201) — a door-post (as prominent) רָצַע (râtsaʻ, H7527) — to pierce אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) מַרְצֵעַ (martsêaʻ, H4836) — an awl עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or…
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… אָמָה (ʼâmâh, H519) — a maidservant or female slave יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) יָעַד (yâʻad, H3259) — to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to… פָּדָה (pâdâh, H6299) — to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release, preserve מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… נׇכְרִי (nokrîy, H5237) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule בָּגַד (bâgad, H898) — to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
Open source ↗יָעַד (yâʻad, H3259) — to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and…
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) אַחֵר (ʼachêr, H312) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc. שְׁאֵר (shᵉʼêr, H7607) — flesh (as swelling out), as living or forfood; generally food of any kind; figuratively,… כְּסוּת (kᵉçûwth, H3682) — a cover (garment); figuratively, a veiling עוֹנָה (ʻôwnâh, H5772) — sexual (cohabitation) גָּרַע (gâraʻ, H1639) — to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… חִנָּם (chinnâm, H2600) — gratis, i.e. devoid of cost, reason or advantage כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Open source ↗נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗צָדָה (tsâdâh, H6658) — to chase; by implication, to desolate אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָנָה (ʼânâh, H579) — to approach; hence, to meet in various senses יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… זוּד (zûwd, H2102) — to seethe; figuratively, to be insolent רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent עׇרְמָה (ʻormâh, H6195) — trickery; or (in a good sense) discretion לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗Cross-references
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At that time the LORD commanded me to teach you the statutes and ordinances you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.
In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?”
Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.
For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.
These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess,
You are therefore to keep all My statutes and ordinances, so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out.
Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I declare in your hearing this day. Learn them and observe them carefully.
I also gave them over to statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live.
And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them.
These are the commandments and ordinances that the LORD gave the Israelites through Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.