Exodus 21:20

If a man gives his man-servant or his woman-servant blows with a rod, causing death, he is certainly to undergo punishment.

Bible in Basic English

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 is able to get up again and go about with a stick, the other will be let off; only he will have to give him payment for the loss of his time, and see that he is cared for till he is well.

21But, at the same time, if the servant goes on living for a day or two, the master is not to get punishment, for the servant is his property.

Read all of Exodus 21

Cross References

Genesis 4:24If seven lives are to be taken as punishment for Cain's death, seventy-seven will be taken for Lamech's.

Exodus 21:26If a man gives his man-servant or his woman-servant a blow in the eye, causing its destruction, he is to let him go free on account of the damage to his eye.

Numbers 35:30Anyone causing the death of another is himself to be put to death on the word of witnesses: but the word of one witness is not enough.

Proverbs 29:19A servant will not be trained by words; for though the sense of the words is clear to him, he will not give attention.

Romans 13:4For he is the servant of God to you for good. But if you do evil, have fear; for the sword is not in his hand for nothing: he is God's servant, making God's punishment come on the evil-doer.

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 →

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