24 Eye H5869 for eye, H5869 tooth H8127 for tooth, H8127 hand H3027 for hand, H3027 foot H7272 for foot, H7272
And if a man H376 smite H5221 the eye H5869 of his servant, H5650 or the eye H5869 of his maid, H519 that it perish; H7843 he shall let him go H7971 free H2670 for H8478 his eye's H5869 sake. And if he smite H5307 out his manservant's H5650 tooth, H8127 or his maidservant's H519 tooth; H8127 he shall let him go H7971 free H2670 for his tooth's H8127 sake.
And if a man H376 cause H5414 a blemish H3971 in his neighbour; H5997 as he hath done, H6213 so shall it be done H6213 to him; Breach H7667 for breach, H7667 eye H5869 for eye, H5869 tooth H8127 for tooth: H8127 as he hath caused H5414 a blemish H3971 in a man, H120 so shall it be done H5414 to him again.
But Adonibezek H137 fled; H5127 and they pursued H7291 after H310 him, and caught H270 him, and cut off H7112 his thumbs H931 H3027 and his great toes. H7272 And Adonibezek H137 said, H559 Threescore and ten H7657 kings, H4428 having their thumbs H931 H3027 and their great toes H7272 cut off, H7112 gathered H3950 their meat under my table: H7979 as I have done, H6213 so God H430 hath requited H7999 me. And they brought H935 him to Jerusalem, H3389 and there he died. H4191
Ye have heard G191 that G3754 it hath been said, G4483 An eye G3788 for G473 an eye, G3788 and G2532 a tooth G3599 for G473 a tooth: G3599 But G1161 I G1473 say G3004 unto you, G5213 That ye resist G436 not G3361 evil: G4190 but G235 whosoever G3748 shall smite G4474 thee G4571 on G1909 thy G4675 right G1188 cheek, G4600 turn G4762 to him G846 the other G243 also. G2532 And G2532 if any man will G2309 sue G2919 thee G4671 at the law, G2919 and G2532 take away G2983 thy G4675 coat, G5509 let G863 him G846 have G863 thy cloke G2440 also. G2532
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Exodus 21
Commentary on Exodus 21 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 21
The laws recorded in this chapter relate to the fifth and sixth commandments; and though they are not accommodated to our constitution, especially in point of servitude, nor are the penalties annexed binding on us, yet they are of great use for the explanation of the moral law, and the rules of natural justice. Here are several enlargements,
Exd 21:1-11
The first verse is the general title of the laws contained in this and the two following chapters, some of them relating to the religious worship of God, but most of them relating to matters between man and man. Their government being purely a Theocracy, that which in other states is to be settled by human prudence was directed among them by a divine appointment, so that the constitution of their government was peculiarly adapted to make them happy. These laws are called judgments, because they are framed in infinite wisdom and equity, and because their magistrates were to give judgment according to the people. In the doubtful cases that had hitherto occurred, Moses had particularly enquired of God for them, as appeared, ch. 18:15; but now God gave him statutes in general by which to determine particular cases, which likewise he must apply to other like cases that might happen, which, falling under the same reason, fell under the same rule. He begins with the laws concerning servants, commanding mercy and moderation towards them. The Israelites had lately been servants themselves; and now that they had become, not only their own masters, but masters of servants too, lest they should abuse their servants, as they themselves had been abused and ruled with rigour by the Egyptian task-masters, provision was made by these laws for the mild and gentle usage of servants. Note, If those who have had power over us have been injurious to us this will not in the least excuse us if we be in like manner injurious to those who are under our power, but will rather aggravate our crime, because, in that case, we may the more easily put our souls into their soul's stead. Here is,
Exd 21:12-21
Here is,
Exd 21:22-36
Observe here,