Exodus 21:23 meaning
In the intricate legal framework of Ancient Israel, specific guidelines were established to address various social issues, including personal injuries and their consequences. A pivotal aspect centers on the principle of proportionality in justice, ensuring that punishment corresponds directly to the offense. In this context, the law aimed to establish a balance, preventing undue retaliation or excessive punishment for offenses. This principle, known as lex talionis or "eye for eye," was a significant step toward reducing personal vengeance and ensuring that legal retribution was measured and just.
The provision outlines that if harm occurs to a woman and her child during a conflict, and if mischief follows, the offender must face severe consequences. The emphasis is on the sanctity of life, where the law recognizes a woman's pregnant state as worthy of protection. Thus, if a fatal outcome arises from a miscarriage, the responsible party is to be held accountable with the utmost severity. This is vividly expressed in Exodus 21:23, which reinforces God's view on the value of life and the importance of justice within the community. The law underscores the direct relationship between the offense and its reparation, illustrating the compassionate yet firm approach to justice established by divine decree.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Deeper Commentary Covering this Verse:
- Exodus 21:18-27 meaning. Here are the judgements for four instances of violence done to a person where the victim does not die. The four instances are: violence between free people, violence done to servants, violence done to a pregnant woman which causes the loss of her baby, and bodily injury to a servant.
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Deuteronomy 19:15-21 meaning. Moses addressed the matter of witnesses and testimony in the Israelite community.
- Matthew 5:38-42 meaning. Jesus flips the world system of ‘justice’ on its head. He tells His disciples to seek out opportunities to serve rather than looking for opportunities to exact payback under the letter of the law.
- Deuteronomy 25:11-12 meaning. This law prescribed to cut off the hand of a wife who sought to deliver her husband in a fight by seizing the genitals of his opponent.
Set to dark modeSet to dark mode