Exodus 21

Exodus 21:1

C. Miscellaneous Laws (Chaps. 21-24)1. Laws Regarding Slaves (21:1-11)21:1-6 Following the giving of the Ten Commandments, God delivered many other miscellaneous laws for the conduct of the children of Israel. A Hebrew could become a slave to pay off a debt, to make restitution for a theft, or by being born to Hebrew slaves. A Hebrew servant could be required to work for six years, but in the seventh year he had to be set free. If he was married when he became a slave, then his wife was freed with him. But if he married during his servitude, then the wife and her children were the master’s property. In such a case, he could choose to remain a slave by having his ear bored to the doorpost, thus voluntarily identifying himself with his master’s house. Henceforth he was “earmarked.” This is a beautiful picture of Christ, the perfect Servant, who so loved us that He would not go out free, but rather went to the cross of Calvary. In view of what the Savior has done for us, we should be His willing bondslaves, saying in the words of Bishop Moule: My Master, lead me to the door; Pierce this now-willing ear once more. Thy bonds are freedom; let me stay With Thee to toil, endure, obey. 21:7-11 In the case of a female slave, she could not go out free in the seventh year if her master had taken her as a wife or concubine and was willing to fulfill his responsibilities to her. If he was not willing, she had to be redeemed, but not sold to Gentiles. If he wanted her as a wife for his son, then he had to treat her as he would any daughter-in-law. If the master took another wife, he was still responsible to provide for the slave girl and to give her full marriage rights. The latter probably means nothing more than living accomodations. Otherwise, she must be freed without paying money. The fact that God gave legislation concerning slavery does not mean that He approved it. He was only protecting the civil rights of the enslaved.

Exodus 21:12

2. Laws Regarding Personal Injury (21:12-36)21:12-14 Verse 12 states the general rule that to kill another person brings the sentence of death upon the offender. An exception is provided in the case of manslaughter; if the death was involuntary, the manslayer could flee to the altar of God, or later to special cities of refuge. But in cases of willful murder, the altar of God provided no safety for the offender. 21:15-17 Parenthood was especially protected by making the striking of one’s father or . . . mother a crime punishable by death. Kidnapping and cursing one’s parents were also capital crimes. 21:18, 19 If a man injured another in a quarrel, he was responsible to pay his loss of . . . time at work and also his medical expenses. 21:20, 21 A master could punish a slave, but he did not have the right to kill him. If a servant died immediately after a beating, the master was guilty; but if the slave lived a day or two, the master was not punishable because he obviously did not intend to kill a slave who was worth money to him. 21:22 If a pregnant woman was hit as a result of a fight between two men and she gave birth prematurely, though there was no serious injury, then her husband named the amount of the fine and the judges arbitrated the case. 21:23-25 The general rule concerning personal injury was life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, etc. The penalty should suit the crime, avoiding excessive leniency or extreme severity. In practice, all cases except murder could be settled by paying a fine (see Num_35:31). 21:26-36 If a man injured his slave’s eye or tooth, the slave was allowed to go free. If an ox unexpectedly killed a person, the ox was to be stoned, and his flesh could not be eaten. If the owner knew that the ox was vicious and had been informed of it, then he too was to be put to death. But provision was made for the owner to pay a fine in lieu of his life. The fine would be the same for the death of a son or . . . a daughter. For the death of a servant, the fine was thirty shekels of silver, and the ox was to be stoned.

Note: Judas betrayed Jesus for the same cost that was claimed for a slave killed by an ox, thus pricing Him at the value of a dead slave. If a man left a pit uncovered, he was responsible for any loss incurred by animals falling into it. If one man’s ox killed another man’s ox, the value of both animals was divided equally. If the owner of the offending animal knew of its dangerous habits, then he had to pay for the slain animal, but he himself could take the dead animal.