Exodus 21:16

Man-stealing. Cf. Deuteronomy 24:7, where the present law is merely expanded, and recast in Deuteronomic phraseology.

a man in Deuteronomy 24:7, expressly limited to an Israelite: so LXX Targ. add here, -of the children of Israel." No doubt this interprets correctly the intention of the law.

and selleth him into a foreign country is probably what is thought (cf. v.8). This would not only sever the victim cruelly from his own people, and his own religion (1 Samuel 26:19), but also expose him to many risks of death. The Phoenicians (Amos 1:9, and, at a later time, Joel 3:4-6), to say nothing of other nations (Genesis 37:36), would be ready purchasers of slaves.

or if he be found in his hand i.e. if he has not yet actually sold him.

shall be put to death The same punishment in Ḥamm. § 14. At Athens, the ἀνδραποδιστής, who enslaved a free man, or enticed away another person's slave, was punished with death (Hermann, Griech. Antiq.iii. §§ xii. 12; lxii. 12: cf. Demosth. Phil.i. p. 53 end, § 47; Xen. Memor.i. 2. 62): among the Romans both the seller and the buyer of a free-born citizen were punished with death (Kn.).