Exodus 21:23
Exodus 21:23 in Multiple Translations
But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life—
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
But if any harm follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
But if damage comes to her, let life be given in payment for life,
But if a serious injury does occur, then you must pay a life for a life,
But if death follow, then thou shalt paye life for life,
and if there is mischief, then thou hast given life for life,
But if any harm follows, then you must take life for life,
And if any mischief shall follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
But if her death ensue thereupon, he shall render life for life.
But if the woman is injured in some additional way, the one who injured her must be caused to suffer in exactly the same way that he caused her to suffer. If she dies, he must be executed.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 21:23
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 21:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אִם
אָס֖וֹן
יִהְיֶ֑ה
וְ/נָתַתָּ֥ה
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
תַּ֥חַת
נָֽפֶשׁ
וְ/אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj | Conj
אָס֖וֹן
ʼâçôwn
H611
harm
N-ms
יִהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/נָתַתָּ֥ה
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs
תַּ֥חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
נָֽפֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 21:23
וְ/אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj | Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
אָס֖וֹן
ʼâçôwn
H611
"harm"
N-ms
This word means harm or hurt, describing something that causes evil or mischief. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences of sin. The KJV translates it as mischief.
Definition: evil, mischief, harm, hurt
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: mischief. See also: Genesis 42:4; Genesis 44:29; Exodus 21:23.
יִהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
וְ/נָתַתָּ֥ה
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
נֶ֖פֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
תַּ֥חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
נָֽפֶשׁ
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
Study Notes — Exodus 21:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 21:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 21:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 21:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 21:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 21:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 21:23
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 21:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 21:23
- Sermons on Exodus 21:23
Context — Personal Injury Laws
21However, if the servant gets up after a day or two, the owner shall not be punished, since the servant is his property.
22If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband demands and as the court allows.
23But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life—
24eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 19:21 | You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot. |
| 2 | Numbers 35:31 | You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death. |
| 3 | Leviticus 24:19 | If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: |
Exodus 21:23 Summary
This verse, Exodus 21:23, is saying that if someone hurts another person very badly, then the punishment should fit the crime, as also seen in Leviticus 24:20. This means that if someone's actions cause serious harm or even death, then they should be held accountable for their actions, in order to maintain justice and fairness in society. This principle is still important today, as seen in Romans 13:1-4, and reminds us of the importance of valuing human life, as emphasized in Genesis 9:6 and Psalm 139:13-14. By trusting in God's justice and mercy, as seen in Psalm 37:1-7, we can work towards creating a more just and fair society.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a 'serious injury' in Exodus 21:23?
A serious injury in this context refers to harm that results in permanent damage or loss of life, as seen in the following verses, Exodus 21:24-25, which list specific examples of such injuries, and as supported by Leviticus 24:20, which also discusses the principle of proportional punishment.
Is the principle of 'a life for a life' still applicable today?
While the specific laws given in Exodus 21:23-25 were for the Israelites under the Old Covenant, the principle of justice and fairness they represent is still relevant today, as seen in Romans 13:1-4, which discusses the role of government in punishing wrongdoers and protecting citizens.
How does this verse relate to Jesus' teaching on turning the other cheek?
Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:38-42, to turn the other cheek and not seek revenge, does not contradict the principle of justice in Exodus 21:23, but rather emphasizes the importance of personal forgiveness and non-retaliation, as seen in the example of Stephen in Acts 7:60, who prayed for his persecutors.
What is the significance of this verse in the broader context of the Bible?
Exodus 21:23 is part of a larger section of laws given to the Israelites, which emphasize the value of human life and the importance of justice and fairness, as seen in Genesis 9:6, which also discusses the sanctity of human life, and as supported by Deuteronomy 19:21, which discusses the principle of proportional punishment.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply the principle of justice and fairness in my own life, especially in situations where I have been wronged?
- How can I balance the desire for justice with the need to forgive and show mercy, as seen in Matthew 18:21-22?
- What are some ways I can demonstrate the value and dignity of human life, as emphasized in Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 139:13-14?
- How can I trust God to bring about justice and fairness in situations where I feel wronged or powerless, as seen in Psalm 37:1-7 and Romans 12:19?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 21:23
And if any mischief follow,.... According as that is, so shall it be done to the smiter: if death follows, then thou shalt give life for life; if death to the woman, so Jarchi and Aben Ezra interpret
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 21:23
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 21:23
Any mischief; either to the mother or to the child, whether it be death, or any maim or mischief. Who shall give life for life? Answ. Not the private person, which would have introduced infinite mischiefs and confusions, but the magistrate; for these laws are given to Moses, and the execution of these things was committed to Moses, and others under him.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 21:23
Exodus 21:23 And if [any] mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,Ver. 23. And if any mischief follow.] Either by death or maim, either of mother or child.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 21:23
(22-25) A personal injury peculiar to women—a hurt producing miscarriage—is here considered. The miscarriage might cost the woman her life, in which case the man who caused it was to suffer death (Exodus 21:23); or it might have no further ill result than the loss of the child. In this latter case the penalty was to be a fine, assessed by the husband with the consent of the judge (Exodus 21:22). The death penalty, where the woman died, is clearly excessive, and probably belongs to the pre-Mosaic legislation, which required “life for life” in every case.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 21:23
18–36. Bodily injuries, caused (a) by human beings, vv. 18–27; (b) by animals, or through the neglect of reasonable precautions, vv. 28–36.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 21:23
22-25. As the woman’s husband will lay upon him — The Hebrews threw every possible safeguard about the fruit of the womb, and an injury of the kind here specified was treated as a very grave offence.
Sermons on Exodus 21:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth: by Art Katz | Art Katz explores the profound implications of the principle of 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,' emphasizing that this ancient law reflects God's justice and the sacrifici |
|
The Sixth Commandment by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink expounds on the Sixth Commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill,' emphasizing that it not only forbids murder but also the underlying emotions such as anger and hatred that can l |
|
Suffering Love: The Doctrine of Nonresistance and Conscientious Objection to War by Aaron Hurst | In this sermon, the speaker begins by addressing the issue of human trafficking and challenges the congregation, especially the young people, to take action through prayer. They em |