Exodus 21:20

And when a man strikes his manservant or his handmaid with a rod, and he has died under his hand—he is certainly avenged;

Literal Standard 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, and has gone up and down outside on his staff, then the striker has been acquitted; he only gives [for] his cessation, and he is thoroughly healed.

21only if he remains a day, or two days, he is not avenged, for he [is] his money.

Read all of Exodus 21

Cross References

Genesis 4:24For sevenfold is required for Cain, || And for Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

Exodus 21:26And when a man strikes the eye of his manservant, or the eye of his handmaid, and has destroyed it, he sends him away as a freeman for his eye;

Numbers 35:30Whoever strikes a person, by the mouth of witnesses [one] slays the murderer; and one witness does not testify against a person to cause [him] to die.

Proverbs 29:19By words a servant is not instructed though he understand, || And there is nothing answering.

Romans 13:4for it is a servant of God to you for good; and if you may do that which is evil, be fearing, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who is doing that which is 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