Exodus 21

Exodus 21:1

Chapters 21-23 are an expansion of chapter 20.

Exodus 21:3

by himself. Hebrew “with his body”. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part). App-6.

Exodus 21:5

shall plainly say. Hebrew “saying shall say”. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6) for emphasis. See note on Genesis 26:28

children = sons.

Exodus 21:6

the judges. See note on 22. e.

bore his ear. Hence a symbol of obedience an perpetual servitude. Compare Psalms 40:6. Isaiah 48:8; Isaiah 50:5 and see note on Hebrews 10:5.

for ever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Whole). App-6. A time put for limited time; “for life”, or till the jubilee, Leviticus 25:13, Leviticus 25:28, Leviticus 25:40, Leviticus 25:41.

Exodus 21:7

a man. Hebrew. ’ish. See App-14.

Exodus 21:8

nation = people.

power = authority.

Exodus 21:13

God Hebrew. Elohim. deliver. Hebrew idiom, b which God is said to do what He allows to be done. deliver. Hebrew permit him to meet, or come.

Exodus 21:14

guile . . . thou. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6); between these two words, supply: “and then seek refuge t Mine altar”.

Exodus 21:15

smiteth. Here and elsewhere in this chapter (except Exodus 21:26), to smite to death, or seriously.

Exodus 21:16

a man. (Hebrew. ’ish. App-14.) Aramaean and Septuagint add “of the sons of Israel”.

Exodus 21:17

curseth, or revileth. Compare Matthew 15:4. Mark 7:1

Exodus 21:18

men. Hebrew, plural of ’ish, or’enesh. See App-14. one. Hebrew. ’ish. App-14. another his neighbor.

Exodus 21:20

punished = avenged.

Exodus 21:21

money. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, money put for the servant ho earns it.

Exodus 21:22

child . . . so. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6); supply “who intervenes”.

punished = amerced, or fined. The laws of Khammurabi distinguished between three classes (§§209, 211, 213). Here it is any woman. See App-15.

Exodus 21:23

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. See App-13.

Exodus 21:24

Eye for eye, &c. Lex talionis, eight particulars for completeness (App-10), seven in separate category (verses: Exodus 21:24, Exodus 21:26). These laws made prisons unnecessary, and prevented crime.

Exodus 21:26

go free. By Code of Khammurabi, the master was compensated, 199 (see App-15). Compare Deuteronomy 4:8.

Exodus 21:27

smite. Not the same word as elsewhere in this chapter.

Exodus 21:30

ransom. Implying that death-penalties were in certain cases commutable. Compare Exodus 30:12 and Psalms 49:8. Psalms 49:32 shekels. See App-51.