EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:1 This section contains basic guidelines
for living together as a just society and as a people set apart to the
Lord. The specific laws are not intended to be exhaustive but are to
encourage and safeguard justice, civility, and moral excellence.
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EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:2 WHEN YOU BUY A HEBREW SLAVE. Despite the
use of “buy,” it should be clear that slaves were considered human
beings rather than mere possessions, since there is no mention of
slaves in the laws governing loss of property (Exodus 21:33). (See
notes on 1 Cor. 7:21; Ephesians... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:5 Debt was the most common reason that
people became slaves. To take a destitute person as a slave could be
seen as benevolent, as it guaranteed him food and shelter and some
income. The security provided by a good employer led some slaves to
choose to remain in that status... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:7 If a poor family could not afford a
normal wedding, the father might “sell” his daughter to a rich man
as his “slave,” that is, as a secondary wife like Zilpah and
Bilhah (Genesis 29:24, Genesis 29:29). These laws aim to prevent any
mistreatment the daughter might then fac... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:13 The reference to A PLACE TO WHICH HE MAY
FLEE looks forward to the cities of refuge that the Lord will provide
(see Numbers 35:9) to protect those who killed unintentionally.
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EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:17 Placing this rule here, with the
prescription of the death penalty, highlights the gravity of the
command to honor one’s parents (Exodus 20:12; see Mark 7:9).
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EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:20 These verses provide a general rule
relating to cases in which a slave has been severely beaten by his
master (STRIKES HIS SLAVE... WITH A ROD). The instruction not to
avenge a slave who survives such a beating because THE SLAVE IS HIS
MONEY relates only to the financial... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:22 These verses are difficult to interpret.
The esv offers a traditional understanding in the text and an
alternative view in the footnote. Interpreters agree that the passage
describes a brawl in which a pregnant woman is accidentally hit,
resulting in either a premature li... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:23 Compensation for a life taken or harmed
shall be LIFE FOR LIFE, EYE FOR EYE, TOOTH FOR TOOTH... STRIPE FOR
STRIPE (see also Leviticus 24:17). As it applies to human life, the
rule is grounded in humanity being made in God’s image (see Genesis
9:6). The principle was meant... [ Continue Reading ]
EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:28 When an animal gores and kills a person,
it SHALL BE STONED, for human life is holy to the Lord (see also
Exodus 19:12).
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EXODUS—NOTE ON EXODUS 21:33 If a person was irresponsible (such as
in not covering a pit, v. Exodus 21:33) or had previous knowledge of a
problem (such as knowing but disregarding an ox’s tendency to gore,
v. Exodus 21:36), such things should be taken into account when
determining the amount of a fi... [ Continue Reading ]