Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, May 17th, 2025
the Fourth Week after Easter
the Fourth Week after Easter
video advertismenet
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Attention!
Take your personal ministry to the Next Level by helping StudyLight build churches and supporting pastors in Uganda.
Click here to join the effort!
Click here to join the effort!
Read the Bible
Amplified Bible
Exodus 21:20
"If a man strikes his male or his female servant with a staff and the servant dies at his hand, he must be punished.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BridgewayEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Hebrew Names Version
"If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
"If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
King James Version
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
Lexham English Bible
And if a man strikes his male slave or his female slave with the rod and he dies under his hand, he will surely be avenged.
And if a man strikes his male slave or his female slave with the rod and he dies under his hand, he will surely be avenged.
New Century Version
"If a man beats his male or female slave with a stick, and the slave dies on the spot, the owner must be punished.
"If a man beats his male or female slave with a stick, and the slave dies on the spot, the owner must be punished.
New English Translation
"If a man strikes his male servant or his female servant with a staff so that he or she dies as a result of the blow, he will surely be punished.
"If a man strikes his male servant or his female servant with a staff so that he or she dies as a result of the blow, he will surely be punished.
New American Standard Bible
"And if someone strikes his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies at his hand, he shall be punished.
"And if someone strikes his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies at his hand, he shall be punished.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And if a man smite his seruant, or his maide with a rod, and he die vnder his hande, he shalbe surely punished.
And if a man smite his seruant, or his maide with a rod, and he die vnder his hande, he shalbe surely punished.
Legacy Standard Bible
"And if a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall surely be punished.
"And if a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall surely be punished.
Contemporary English Version
Death is the punishment for beating to death any of your slaves.
Death is the punishment for beating to death any of your slaves.
Complete Jewish Bible
(ii) "If a person beats his male or female slave with a stick so severely that he dies, he is to be punished;
(ii) "If a person beats his male or female slave with a stick so severely that he dies, he is to be punished;
Darby Translation
And if a man strike his bondman or his handmaid with a staff, and he die under his hand, he shall certainly be avenged.
And if a man strike his bondman or his handmaid with a staff, and he die under his hand, he shall certainly be avenged.
Easy-to-Read Version
"Sometimes people beat their slaves. If the slave dies after being beaten, the killer must be punished.
"Sometimes people beat their slaves. If the slave dies after being beaten, the killer must be punished.
English Standard Version
"When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged.
"When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged.
George Lamsa Translation
And if a man strikes his servant, or his maid with a staff, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
And if a man strikes his servant, or his maid with a staff, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
Good News Translation
"If a slave owner takes a stick and beats his slave, whether male or female, and the slave dies on the spot, the owner is to be punished.
"If a slave owner takes a stick and beats his slave, whether male or female, and the slave dies on the spot, the owner is to be punished.
Christian Standard Bible®
“When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod, and the slave dies under his abuse, the owner must be punished.
“When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod, and the slave dies under his abuse, the owner must be punished.
Literal Translation
And if a man strikes his male slave or his slave-girl with a rod, and he dies under his hand, avenging he shall be avenged.
And if a man strikes his male slave or his slave-girl with a rod, and he dies under his hand, avenging he shall be avenged.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
He that smyteth his seruaunt or mayde with a staff, that he dye vnder his handes, the same shall suffre vengeaunce therfore.
He that smyteth his seruaunt or mayde with a staff, that he dye vnder his handes, the same shall suffre vengeaunce therfore.
American Standard Version
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall surely be punished.
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall surely be punished.
Bible in Basic English
If a man gives his man-servant or his woman-servant blows with a rod, causing death, he is certainly to undergo punishment.
If a man gives his man-servant or his woman-servant blows with a rod, causing death, he is certainly to undergo punishment.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And if a man smyte his seruaunt or his mayde with a rod, & they dye vnder his hande, he shalbe greeuously punished.
And if a man smyte his seruaunt or his mayde with a rod, & they dye vnder his hande, he shalbe greeuously punished.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And if a man smite his bondman, or his bondwoman, with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
And if a man smite his bondman, or his bondwoman, with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
King James Version (1611)
And if a man smite his seruant, or his mayd, with a rod, and hee die vnder his hand, hee shall bee surely punished:
And if a man smite his seruant, or his mayd, with a rod, and hee die vnder his hand, hee shall bee surely punished:
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And if a man smite his man-servant or his maid-servant, with a rod, and the party die under his hands, he shall be surely punished.
And if a man smite his man-servant or his maid-servant, with a rod, and the party die under his hands, he shall be surely punished.
English Revised Version
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall surely be punished.
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall surely be punished.
Berean Standard Bible
If a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod, and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished.
If a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod, and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
He that smytith his seruaunt, ether handmayde, with a yerde, and thei ben deed in hise hondis, schal be gilti of cryme.
He that smytith his seruaunt, ether handmayde, with a yerde, and thei ben deed in hise hondis, schal be gilti of cryme.
Young's Literal Translation
`And when a man smiteth his man-servant or his handmaid, with a rod, and he hath died under his hand -- he is certainly avenged;
`And when a man smiteth his man-servant or his handmaid, with a rod, and he hath died under his hand -- he is certainly avenged;
Update Bible Version
And if a man smites his male slave, or his female slave, with a rod, and he dies under his hand; he shall surely be punished.
And if a man smites his male slave, or his female slave, with a rod, and he dies under his hand; he shall surely be punished.
Webster's Bible Translation
And if a man shall smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he shall die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
And if a man shall smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he shall die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
World English Bible
"If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
"If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
New King James Version
"And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
"And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.
New Living Translation
"If a man beats his male or female slave with a club and the slave dies as a result, the owner must be punished.
"If a man beats his male or female slave with a club and the slave dies as a result, the owner must be punished.
New Life Bible
"When a man hits his male or female servant with a stick so that he or she dies, he will be punished.
"When a man hits his male or female servant with a stick so that he or she dies, he will be punished.
New Revised Standard
When a slaveowner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished.
When a slaveowner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And when a man shall smite his servant or his handmaid with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall, surely be avenged;
And when a man shall smite his servant or his handmaid with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall, surely be avenged;
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that striketh his bondman, or bondwoman, with a rod, and they die under his hands, shall be guilty of the crime.
He that striketh his bondman, or bondwoman, with a rod, and they die under his hands, shall be guilty of the crime.
Revised Standard Version
"When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished.
"When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished.
THE MESSAGE
"If a slave owner hits a slave, male or female, with a stick and the slave dies on the spot, the slave must be avenged. But if the slave survives a day or two, he's not to be avenged—the slave is the owner's property.
"If a slave owner hits a slave, male or female, with a stick and the slave dies on the spot, the slave must be avenged. But if the slave survives a day or two, he's not to be avenged—the slave is the owner's property.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished.
"If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished.
Contextual Overview
12"Whoever strikes a man so that he dies must be put to death. 13"However, if he did not lie in wait [for him], but God allowed him to fall into his hand, then I will establish for you a place to which he may escape [for protection until duly tried]. 14"But if a man acts intentionally against another and kills him by [design through] treachery, you are to take him from My altar [to which he may have fled for protection], so that he may be put to death. 15"Whoever strikes his father or his mother must be put to death. 16"Whoever kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or is found with him in his possession, must be put to death. 17"Whoever curses his father or his mother or treats them contemptuously must be put to death. 18"If men quarrel and one strikes another with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed, 19if he gets up and walks around leaning on his cane, then the one who struck him shall be left [physically] unpunished; he must only pay for his loss of time [at work], and the costs [of treatment and recuperation] until he is thoroughly healed. 20"If a man strikes his male or his female servant with a staff and the servant dies at his hand, he must be punished.21"If, however, the servant survives for a day or two, the offender shall not be punished, for the [injured] servant is his own property.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
smite: Exodus 21:26, Exodus 21:27, Deuteronomy 19:21, Proverbs 29:19, Isaiah 58:3, Isaiah 58:4
he shall: Genesis 9:6, Numbers 35:30-33
punished: Heb. avenged, Genesis 4:15, Genesis 4:24, Numbers 35:19, Romans 13:4
Reciprocal: Exodus 20:13 - General Exodus 21:18 - a stone Leviticus 19:20 - she shall be scourged Deuteronomy 17:8 - between blood Job 31:13 - the cause
Cross-References
Genesis 10:9
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD."
He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; therefore it is said, "Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD."
Genesis 16:12
"He (Ishmael) will be a wild donkey of a man; His hand will be against every man [continually fighting] And every man's hand against him; And he will dwell in defiance of all his brothers."
"He (Ishmael) will be a wild donkey of a man; His hand will be against every man [continually fighting] And every man's hand against him; And he will dwell in defiance of all his brothers."
Genesis 17:20
"As for Ishmael, I have heard and listened to you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will greatly multiply him [through his descendants]. He will be the father of twelve princes (chieftains, sheiks), and I will make him a great nation.
"As for Ishmael, I have heard and listened to you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will greatly multiply him [through his descendants]. He will be the father of twelve princes (chieftains, sheiks), and I will make him a great nation.
Genesis 21:2
So Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.
So Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.
Genesis 21:3
Abraham named his son Isaac (laughter), the son to whom Sarah gave birth.
Abraham named his son Isaac (laughter), the son to whom Sarah gave birth.
Genesis 21:23
so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal unfairly with me [by breaking any agreements we have] or with my son or with my descendants, but as I have treated you with kindness, you shall do the same to me and to the land in which you have sojourned (temporarily lived)."
so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal unfairly with me [by breaking any agreements we have] or with my son or with my descendants, but as I have treated you with kindness, you shall do the same to me and to the land in which you have sojourned (temporarily lived)."
Genesis 21:24
And Abraham said, "I will swear."
And Abraham said, "I will swear."
Genesis 21:25
Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water which the servants of Abimelech had [violently] seized [from him],
Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water which the servants of Abimelech had [violently] seized [from him],
Genesis 25:27
When the boys grew up, Esau was an able and skilled hunter, a man of the outdoors, but Jacob was a quiet and peaceful man, living in tents.
When the boys grew up, Esau was an able and skilled hunter, a man of the outdoors, but Jacob was a quiet and peaceful man, living in tents.
Genesis 27:3
"So now, please take your [hunting] gear, your quiver [of arrows] and your bow, and go out into the open country and hunt game for me;
"So now, please take your [hunting] gear, your quiver [of arrows] and your bow, and go out into the open country and hunt game for me;
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And if a man smite his servant or his maid with a rod,.... A Canaanitish servant or maid, as the Targum of Jonathan, and so Jarchi; and that only with a rod for the correction of them, and not with a sword or any such destroying weapon, which would seem as though he intended to kill, yet nevertheless:
and he die under his hand; immediately, while he is smiting or beating him or her, on the same day, as the above Targum interprets it:
he shall be surely punished; or condemned to the punishment of being slain with the sword, as the said Targum and Jarchi explain it: this law was made to deter masters from using severity and cruelty towards their servants.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The Jewish authorities appear to be right in referring this law, like those in Exodus 21:26-27, Exodus 21:32, to foreign slaves (see Leviticus 25:44-46). The protection here afforded to the life of a slave may seem to us but a slight one; but it is the very earliest trace of such protection in legislation, and it stands in strong and favorable contrast with the old laws of Greece, Rome, and other nations. If the slave survived the castigation a day or two, the master did not become amenable to the law, because the loss of the slave was accounted, under the circumstances, as a punishment.
