Exodus 21:19 Study Bible: if he rises again and walks around with his staff, then he who struck him shall be cleared: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for his healing until he is thoroughly healed.

◄ Exodus 21:19 ►

then the one who struck him shall go unpunished, as long as the other can get up and walk around outside with his staff. Nevertheless, he must compensate the man for his lost work and see that he is completely healed.

Study Bible

then the one who struck him shall go unpunished
This phrase reflects the principle of proportional justice found in the Mosaic Law. The context is a legal code given to the Israelites, emphasizing fairness and the prevention of excessive punishment. It highlights the importance of intent and outcome in determining guilt and punishment. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about mercy and justice (Matthew 5:38-39).

as long as the other can get up and walk around outside with his staff
The ability to walk with a staff indicates recovery and a return to normal life, suggesting that the injury was not life-threatening. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a staff was a symbol of authority and support, often used by shepherds and travelers. This requirement ensures that the injured party is genuinely able to resume daily activities, reflecting a concern for the well-being of individuals within the community.

Nevertheless, he must compensate the man for his lost work
Compensation for lost work underscores the economic impact of injuries and the responsibility to make restitution. This reflects the broader biblical principle of restitution found in passages like Leviticus 6:1-7. It emphasizes the value of labor and the need to address financial losses, ensuring that justice includes restoration.

and see that he is completely healed
The requirement for complete healing highlights the importance of holistic care and responsibility for one's actions. It suggests a community-oriented approach to justice, where the well-being of individuals is prioritized. This can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament's emphasis on love and care for one's neighbor (Galatians 6:2). The focus on healing also points to the ultimate healing and restoration found in Jesus Christ, who is described as the Great Physician (Mark 2:17).

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Injured Person
This individual has been harmed in a conflict but is recovering to the point of being able to walk with a staff.

2. The Assailant
The person responsible for injuring the other, who is required to compensate for the victim's lost time and ensure their healing.

3. The Context of Ancient Israel
This law is part of the Mosaic Law given to the Israelites, reflecting God's justice and care for community welfare.

4. The Staff
Symbolizes the injured person's recovery and ability to move, indicating partial healing.

5. The Requirement of Compensation
Reflects the principle of restitution and responsibility within the community.

Teaching Points

Justice and Responsibility
The passage teaches that those who cause harm are responsible for making amends, reflecting God's justice.

Community Care
The requirement for the assailant to ensure the victim's healing underscores the importance of community support and care for one another.

Restoration and Healing
The focus on the victim's complete healing points to God's desire for restoration and wholeness in relationships.

Personal Accountability
This law encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and the consequences that follow.

Compassion in Action
While justice is served, the underlying principle is one of compassion and ensuring the well-being of others.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the requirement for the assailant to compensate the injured person reflect God's justice and mercy?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of restitution in our modern-day conflicts and relationships?

3. How does the concept of ensuring the victim's complete healing relate to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?

4. What are some practical ways we can support those who have been wronged or injured in our communities today?

5. How can the principles found in Exodus 21:19 guide us in balancing justice and compassion in our personal lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 24:19-20
This passage discusses the principle of "an eye for an eye," emphasizing justice and restitution, similar to the compensation required in Exodus 21:19.

Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus references the "eye for an eye" principle, teaching about mercy and forgiveness, which can be seen as a deeper fulfillment of the law's intent.

Luke 10:25-37
The Parable of the Good Samaritan highlights the importance of caring for others and ensuring their well-being, akin to the assailant's responsibility for the victim's healing.

Sermons

Human Strife	J. Parker, D. D.	Exodus 21:18-19
Lessons	G. Hughes, B. D.	Exodus 21:18-19
Bodily Injuries	J. Orr	Exodus 21:18-36

People

Moses

Places

Mount Sinai

Topics

Able, Abroad, Acquitted, Blow, Care, Cared, Cause, Cessation, Clear, Cleared, Completely, Gets, Giveth, Guiltless, Healed, Healing, Held, However, Injured, Loss, Outside, Pay, Payment, Provide, Quit, Responsible, Rise, Rises, Smiter, Smote, Staff, Stick, Struck, Thoroughly, Till, Unpunished, Walk, Walks

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 21:19

5346 injury
5398 loss

Exodus 21:12-20

5214 attack

Exodus 21:15-25

6206 offence

Exodus 21:18-19

5924 quarrelsomeness

Library

The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Kinsman Redeemer
'After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him.'--LEV. xxv. 48. There are several of the institutions and precepts of the Mosaic legislation which, though not prophetic, nor typical, have yet remarkable correspondences with lofty Christian truth. They may be used as symbols, if only we remember that we are diverting them from their original purpose. How singularly these words lend themselves to the statement of the very central truths of Christianity--a slavery …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Non-Resistance
'Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.'--MATT. v. 38-42. The old law …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of the House of God; with Counsels and Directions to the Inhabitants Thereof.
BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. 'Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.'--Psalm 26:8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Beautiful in its simplicity is this treatise on the Church of Christ, by John Bunyan. He opens, with profound knowledge and eminent skill, all those portions of sacred writ which illustrate the nature, excellency, and government of the house of God, with the personal and relative duties of its inhabitants. It was originally published in …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
BY A.E. GRIMKE. "Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not within thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place: but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. And Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer:--and so will I go in unto the king, …
Angelina Emily Grimke—An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to …
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic Teaching.
It was probably on one of those mountain-ranges, which stretch to the north of Capernaum, that Jesus had spent the night of lonely prayer, which preceded the designation of the twelve to the Apostolate. As the soft spring morning broke, He called up those who had learned to follow Him, and from among them chose the twelve, who were to be His Ambassadors and Representatives. [2500] [2501] But already the early light had guided the eager multitude which, from all parts, had come to the broad level …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes - Examination of their Distinctive Doctrines.
APART from the repulsively carnal form which it had taken, there is something absolutely sublime in the continuance and intensity of the Jewish expectation of the Messiah. It outlived not only the delay of long centuries, but the persecutions and scattering of the people; it continued under the disappointment of the Maccabees, the rule of a Herod, the administration of a corrupt and contemptible Priesthood, and, finally, the government of Rome as represented by a Pilate; nay, it grew in intensity …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

That Deep Things Ought not to be Preached at all to Weak Souls.
But the preacher should know how to avoid drawing the mind of his hearer beyond its strength, lest, so to speak, the string of the soul, when stretched more than it can bear, should be broken. For all deep things should be covered up before a multitude of hearers, and scarcely opened to a few. For hence the Truth in person says, Who, thinkest thou, is the faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord has appointed over his household, to give them their measure of wheat in due season? (Luke xii. 42). …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia.
Part I. History of the Councils. Reason why two Councils were called. Inconsistency and folly of calling any; and of the style of the Arian formularies; occasion of the Nicene Council; proceedings at Ariminum; Letter of the Council to Constantius; its decree. Proceedings at Seleucia; reflections on the conduct of the Arians. 1. Perhaps news has reached even yourselves concerning the Council, which is at this time the subject of general conversation; for letters both from the Emperor and the Prefects …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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