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Verse Takeaways
1
A Revolutionary Law
Commentators unanimously highlight that this law was revolutionary for its time. Unlike other ancient legal codes where masters had absolute power of life and death, the Mosaic Law made killing a slave a punishable offense. Scholars like Barnes and Ellicott note this was one of the earliest legal protections for a slave's life, showing a stark contrast to the practices in Rome and Greece.
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Book Overview
Exodus
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Commentaries
5
Albert Barnes
On Exodus 21:20–21
18th Century
Theologian
The Jewish authorities appear to be right in referring this law, like those in Exodus 21:26-27 and Exodus 21:32, to foreign slaves (). The protecti…
Charles Ellicott
On Exodus 21:20
19th Century
Bishop
And if a man smite his servant. —The homicide previously considered has been that of freemen; but the Mosaic Law was not …
John Calvin
On Exodus 21:20
16th Century
Theologian
And if a man smite his servant. Although in civil matters there was a wide distinction between slaves and free men, still, so that God may…
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John Gill
On Exodus 21:20
17th Century
Pastor
And if a man smite his servant or his maid with a rod
A Canaanitish servant or maid, as the Targum of Jonathan, and …
Matthew Henry
On Exodus 21:12–21
17th Century
Minister
God, who by His providence gives and maintains life, by His law protects it. A willful murderer shall be taken even from God's altar. But God provi…