Key Verse Spotlight
Exodus 21:20 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing-and how to apply it today
Translation: 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. "
Exodus 21:20
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:
If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.
If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges
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From This Chapter
Exodus 21:1
"Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before"
Exodus 21:2
"If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing."
Exodus 21:3
"If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out"
Exodus 21:4
"If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself."
Exodus 21:5
"And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:"
Exodus 21:6
"Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever."
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