Exodus 21:20

He that striketh his bondman or bondwoman with a rod, and they die under his hands, shall be guilty of the crime.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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 rise again and walk abroad upon his staff, he that struck him shall be quit, yet so that he make restitution for his work, and for his expenses upon the physicians.

21But if the party remain alive a day or two, he shall not be subject to the punishment, because it is his money.

Read all of Exodus 21

Cross References

Genesis 4:24Sevenfold vengeance shall be taken for Cain: but for Lamech seventy times sevenfold.

Exodus 21:26If any man strike the eye of his manservant or maidservant, and leave them but one eye, he shall let them go free for the eye which he put out.

Numbers 35:30The murderer shall be punished by witnesses: none shall be condemned upon the evidence of one man.

Proverbs 29:19A slave will not be corrected by words: because he understandeth what thou sayest, and will not answer.

Romans 13:4For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth 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