Exodus 21:20

And if a man smites his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.

A Conservative Version

In The King James Version

And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.

In Context

19if he rises again, and walks abroad upon his staff, then he who smote him shall be acquitted. Only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.

21Notwithstanding, if he continues a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his money.

Read all of Exodus 21

Cross References

Genesis 4:24If Cain shall be avenged seven fold, truly Lamech seventy-seven fold.

Exodus 21:26And if a man smites the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

Numbers 35:30Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be slain at the mouth of witnesses, but one witness shall not testify against any person so that he dies.

Proverbs 29:19A servant will not be corrected by words, for though he understands, he will not give heed.

Romans 13:4For he is a helper of God to thee for what is good. But if thou do what is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is a helper of God, vengeful for wrath to the man who commits evil.

Matthew Henry on Exodus 21:13-22

12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. 13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. 14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die. 15 And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death. 16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Exodus 21:20