Exodus 21

Exodus 21:1

THe judgements] The Italian hath it, The judiciall Laws] by which, judgements, in civill, and criminall causes, were to be regulated.

Exodus 21:2

If thou buy] Which was lawfull in two cases: First, when one sold himselfe, and his children for poverty. Secondly, when he was sold for his theft: Exod. 22 3.For nothing] Because he had repaid the price which was given for him, by his servitude, Deut. 5. 18.

Exodus 21:4

Have given him a wie] Some foaigne bond-woman for a concubine to have children, by: For it was not lawfull to abuse an Hebrew bond-woman in that kinde: v. 8, 9. and such conjunctions with forraigne women had not the streight bounds of lawfull marriages in them: see Deuteronomy 21:11. Nehemiah 13:23.

Exodus 21:6

Shall bring him] To make a publick declaration of this his will To the doore]Of his Masters house Shall bore] A bored care, was an ordinary signe of slavery: now doing of that act at the doore or upon the doore post, did shew that he was bound to that house: See Psalms 40:7 For ever] Untill the yeare of Jubilee: Lev, 25. 40.

Exodus 21:7

She shall not go out] Under these words is covertly contained the commandment of espousing her, to save her chastity.

Exodus 21:8

Please not] That is to say, if he be divorced from her therefore; Deuteronomy 24:1.Let her e redeemed] The Italian Let him make her free] Without any price, v. 11. see Deuteronomy 21:14 Strange nation] This is specified, because such a sale amongst Gods people, would have been void; as, being made against the aforesaid commandement, of making free for nothing wherefore he that would have defrauded the Law, would have sought a forraign buyer, to get his money againe.Dealt deceitfully] The Italian, Broken his faith] Namely the faith of a husband, by being divorced: see Malachi 2:1-17. 0. 16.

Exodus 21:9

The manner] Let him give her a dowrie for her virginity: Exodus 22:16-17. see Genesis 34:12. 1 Sam. 8. 25.

Exodus 21:10

If he] If he take another for himself, being betrothed to his bond-woman, v. 8. 14.

Exodus 21:12

Striketh] Premeditatly, and on purpose Put to death] By way of publick justice.

Exodus 21:13

But God] Because that any thing which seemeth casuall, in respect of mens intentions is neverthelesse alwayes governed by Gods providence A place] The Cities of refuge, Numbers 36:11.

Exodus 21:14

Mine altar] God had not made any place of freedom, for willfull and grievous murthers. Yet is was accustomed, that those who had done any offence to mighty men, might flie to the Altar: 1 Kings 1:50. as it were to crave mercy in Gods name, who in that place unfolded his mercy towards men, and to save themselves from violence, by the respect of the place, which was holy, and inviolable. But when others have sought, to abuse that custome for the immunity of cruell crimes, justice hath not regarded it, but hath been executed even in the place it self, 1 King. 228. or drawing away the delinquent perforce from that sacred place: 2 Kings 11. 15. 34.

Exodus 21:19

Be quit] And free from mortall punishment.

Exodus 21:20

His servant] Of a strange and prophane nation, over which kinde of servants, God did grant absolute Dominion with rigor: which was forbidden over Hebrew bond-men: Lev. 35. 29 Under his] Whilest he continued striking of him so cruelly Punished] He shall be punished at the Judges discretion, according to the diversity of circumstances.

Exodus 21:21

Continue] The Italian hath it, Escape] That is to say, though he afterwards die of those stroakes; because that it is presumed his masters intention was not to kill him His money] his own goods, possessed by just sale: Deut. 25. 46. wherefore he hath power to chastise him, and make him obey him by force.

Exodus 21:22

And burt] That is on purpose, and voluntarily No mischief follow] The Italian hath, That no death happen] Either of the Mother, or of the fruit already living Punished] The Italian hath it, He shall be am〈…〉d] For the dammage which happeneth through violent, and forced’ deliverances or childe-births Shall pay] Let him be forced to pay it.

Exodus 21:23

If any mischief] The Italian, If death happen] A commandement directed to the Magistrates, for the ordering of publick punishments: and not any permission given to particular persons to work their own revenge.

Exodus 21:24

For eye] This ought not to be understood rawly according to the litterall sense, which was never put in practice, but they are manners of speaking, to shew that the punishments ought to be parallelled with the faults, by a just proportion, though not alwayes in the same speciall kinde of suffering.

Exodus 21:26

His servant] Namely an Israelite, as it is most likely.

Exodus 21:29

A man] An Israelite or stranger of free condition, because for slaves there was a ransome, v. 32.

Exodus 21:30

Lad on him] by the partie, which is willing before the judge to remit the rigor of the punishment.

Exodus 21:31

Gord] mortally A Son] names of ages Be done unto him] to the oxe and to the master.

Exodus 21:32

A man servant] Of a strange nation.

Exodus 21:33

Or an asse] Or any other tame beast.