Exodus 21 The Law of Moses

1 “These are the laws you are to set before them:

2 Hebrew Servants
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything.

3 If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him.

4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.

5 “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’

6 then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.

7 “If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as menservants do.

8 If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself, he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her.

9 If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter.

10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.

11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

12 Personal Injuries
“Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death.

13 However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate.

14 But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death.

15 “Anyone who attacks his father or his mother must be put to death.

16 “Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death.

17 “Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.

18 “If men quarrel and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist and he does not die but is confined to bed,

19 the one who struck the blow will not be held responsible if the other gets up and walks around outside with his staff; however, he must pay the injured man for the loss of his time and see that he is completely healed.

20 “If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished,

21 but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property.

22 “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows.

23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,

24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

26 “If a man hits a manservant or maidservant in the eye and destroys it, he must let the servant go free to compensate for the eye.

27 And if he knocks out the tooth of a manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free to compensate for the tooth.

28 “If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible.

29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death.

30 However, if payment is demanded of him, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded.

31 This law also applies if the bull gores a son or daughter.

32 If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull must be stoned.

33 “If a man uncovers a pit or digs one and fails to cover it and an ox or a donkey falls into it,

34 the owner of the pit must pay for the loss; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.

35 “If a man’s bull injures the bull of another and it dies, they are to sell the live one and divide both the money and the dead animal equally.

36 However, if it was known that the bull had the habit of goring, yet the owner did not keep it penned up, the owner must pay, animal for animal, and the dead animal will be his.

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Analysis of Exodus Chapter 21

Exodus Chapter 21 marks the beginning of what is often referred to as the Book of the Covenant. This chapter contains a collection of laws and ordinances given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai for the governance of the Israelites. The chapter focuses extensively on civil laws, specifically those concerning slavery, physical violence, and property rights. These laws are significant as they reflect the ethical, social, and legal norms intended to shape the fledgling Israelite society. The underlying principles emphasize justice, restitution, and human dignity, foundational aspects of ancient Israelite jurisprudence.

Laws Concerning Servants (Exodus 21:1-11)

The chapter begins with regulations about Hebrew servants, setting a humane framework for servitude essentially different from the oppressive slavery that the Israelites experienced in Egypt. These laws are meant to ensure fair treatment of servants within a structured and morally meaningful system:

Verses 1-6: A Hebrew servant works for six years and is freed in the seventh year without payment. If the servant was married when he came, his wife leaves with him; otherwise, any wife given by his master and children born during his term remain with the master unless the servant chooses to stay permanently. This permanent servitude is marked by piercing the servant’s ear, symbolizing a voluntary and lifelong commitment.
Verses 7-11: Deal specifically with the rights of female servants. They include provisions for their fair treatment, including the right to redemption and ensuring they are not treated unfairly or deprived of their rightful marriage relationship. If a master betroths a female servant to his son, she is to be treated as a daughter.

This segment underscores God’s concern for human dignity and justice, even for those in servitude. The laws ensure a balance of power, preventing the exploitation of servants and offering them paths to freedom and dignity.

Laws About Violence (Exodus 21:12-27)

This section comprises laws dealing with acts of violence and the resulting consequences, encapsulating the principle of retributive justice, often referred to as “an eye for an eye”:

Verses 12-14: The law decrees the death penalty for premeditated murder. However, if the killing is accidental, cities of refuge are mentioned elsewhere in the Bible as places for the manslayer to flee.
Verses 15-17: Severe consequences are outlined for acts of violence against one’s parents, kidnapping, and cursing parents—total disrespect for family hierarchies is met with capital punishment.
Verses 18-19: These verses discuss cases of injury resulting from brawls. If the injured party recovers and can walk with a staff, the assailant must only compensate for lost time and ensure the injured is completely healed.
Verses 20-21: The death of a servant at the hands of his master is punishable. However, if the servant survives a day or two, the master is not punished, presumably as the law viewed the servant as the master’s property.
Verses 22-25: If men fight and cause a pregnant woman to give birth prematurely, causing no further harm, the offender must pay a fine. If further harm follows, the principle of “life for life” applies, underscoring the sanctity of both the mother and unborn child.
Verses 26-27: Injury to servants—such as the loss of an eye or tooth—results in their freedom. This rule protects the physical integrity of servants and illustrates the broader principle of proportional justice.

These laws emphasize proportionality and fairness. They protect individuals from physical harm and ensure just recompense, aiming to create a societal structure that respects life and bodily autonomy.

Animal Laws and Consequences (Exodus 21:28-36)

This section addresses laws concerning the responsibility of animal owners, particularly oxen, and the ramifications of an ox causing harm:

Verses 28-32: If an ox gores someone to death, the ox is to be stoned, and its meat not eaten. If the owner was aware of the ox’s dangerous behavior and did nothing to restrain it, the owner faces the death penalty or a ransom for his life. If the victim is a servant, the owner must compensate the servant’s master.
Verses 33-34: Laws address scenarios where someone’s negligence, such as leaving a pit uncovered, leads to another’s animal falling into it. The negligent party must compensate the animal’s owner.
Verses 35-36: In the case of two oxen fighting and one dying, the live ox is sold, and the proceeds divided, along with the dead ox. If an ox was known to be dangerous, the negligent owner must provide full restitution.

These ordinances convey the importance of personal responsibility and due care in one’s possessions and actions. The emphasis is on maintaining communal harmony and ensuring that individuals compensate appropriately for negligence that leads to harm.

Deeper Themes and Interpretations

Exodus Chapter 21 is not merely a set of ancient laws but a reflection of the divine justice that God seeks to instill in His people. Let us unpack some deeper themes:

1. Divine Justice and Human Dignity

The overarching theme is divine justice grounded in human dignity. Even as the Israelites transition from slaves to a free people, they must now construct a society that upholds the rights and dignity of those within it. These laws, though ancient, emphasize respect and fair treatment, setting a legal and moral benchmark far advanced for their time. The laws restrain absolute power, ensuring that masters, despite their ownership, handle their servants with care and propriety, reflecting God’s concern for the oppressed and marginalized.

2. Restorative Justice

Many of the laws reflect a restorative approach to justice rather than purely punitive. The requirement of restitution, whether for injury or property damage, focuses on making the victim whole, emphasizing restoration and healing. This approach suggests that justice in God’s economy is not only about punishment but reconciliation and restoring balance within the community.

3. The Sanctity of Life

The sanctity of human life is a predominant principle. The strict penalties for murder, violence, and severe injury reflect the value God places on life. This sanctity extends even to unborn life, as seen in the laws regarding injury to a pregnant woman. God’s intention is to cultivate a community where life is profoundly respected and protected.

4. Reflection of Divine Order

These laws can be seen as an extension and reflection of divine order. The structure within these laws—servitude regulations, principles of retributive justice, compensation for injury—mirrors the ordered and harmonious nature of God’s creation. They are an attempt to instill a sense of order mirroring divine consistency and fairness in human relations.

5. Protections for Vulnerable Groups

Special attention is given to protecting vulnerable groups such as female servants and servants in general. This emphasis on protection indicates a societal concern for the weak and attempts to ensure equitable treatment. The laws act as a safeguard against abuse, emphasizing that even the seemingly powerless have rights and should be protected by the larger community.

Societal Implications

These ordinances reveal much about the societal organization and cultural priorities of ancient Israel:

Structured Social Hierarchy: The laws imply a structured society with a clear hierarchy where servants, masters, and property owners have defined rights and responsibilities. This structure ensures societal stability and fairness under divine oversight.
Legal Recourse and Rights: Providing specific legal recourse and rights to individuals highlights an advanced legal system. It shows an early attempt at formulating a justice system where individuals could seek and receive fair treatment and resolution to disputes.
Economic Interactions: The regulations on servitude, compensation for injury, and property damage indicate a society with complex economic interactions requiring legal frameworks. These laws function to support a cohesive economic system where transactions and responsibilities are clear and just.

Conclusion

Exodus Chapter 21 is pivotal in understanding the ethical and legal underpinnings of ancient Israelite society. Its detailed laws reveal a community striving to reflect divine justice and order in their social and legal relationships, emphasizing human dignity, the value of life, and restorative justice. The chapter offers timeless principles, depicting a God deeply invested in how His people conduct their affairs, ensuring that justice, fairness, and righteousness prevail.

Understanding the Key Messages in Exodus 21: Insights and Explanation

Exodus 21 lays out the laws that govern the fair treatment of slaves, the consequences for causing harm to others, and the importance of personal property. It emphasizes the principles of justice and restitution in various scenarios. These laws underscore the value of human life and property, promoting a society governed by fairness and compassion.

Notes

The laws in this chapter were given to provide guidance for the Israelites and establish a just and equitable society. While some of the regulations may seem foreign and even troubling to modern readers, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which they were given.