Bible Commentaries

Chapters 21-23 are an expansion of chapter 20.

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

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

children = sons.

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.

a man. Hebrew. "ish. See App-14.

nation = people.

power = authority.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

punished = avenged.

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

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

punished = amerced, or fined. The laws of Khammurabi distinguished between three classes (

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

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.

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

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

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.