Exodus 21:20
Whoever strikes his male or female servant with a staff, and if they have died by his hands, he shall be guilty of a crime.
Catholic Public Domain Version
In The King James Version
In Context
Cross References
Genesis 4:24Sevenfold vengeance will be given for Cain, but for Lamech, seventy-seven times.”
Exodus 21:26If anyone will have struck the eye of his male or female servant, having left them with one eye, he shall release them freely, because of the eye that he has put out.
Numbers 35:30The punishment of a murderer shall be based upon testimony; but no one shall be condemned upon the testimony of only one person.
Proverbs 29:19A servant cannot be taught by words, because he understands what you say, but he disdains to respond.
Romans 13:4For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does 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 →