Exodus 21:0 - Exposition

I. Laws connected with the rights of persons ( Exodus 21:1-32 ). The regulations of this section concern—

1 . Slavery ( Exodus 21:2-6 );

2 . Murder and other kinds of homicide ( Exodus 21:12-15 and Exodus 21:20 , Exodus 21:21 );

3 . Man-stealing ( Exodus 21:16 );

4 . Striking or cursing of parents ( Exodus 21:15 , Exodus 21:17 );

5 . Assaults and injuries to the person not resulting in death ( Exodus 21:18 , Exodus 21:19 , and Exodus 21:22-27 ), both in the case of free men and of slaves; and

6 . Injuries done by cattle both to free men and to slaves ( Exodus 21:28-32 ). The chief bodily injury whereto women are liable is not mentioned. A later enactment ( Deuteronomy 22:25-29 ) made it expiable by marriage, or else a capital offence. There are no other remarkable omissions.