If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband demands and as the court allows. If men who are fightingThis phrase sets the scene of a physical altercation between men, a common occurrence in ancient times. The context is a legal case within the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. The law aimed to maintain order and justice within the community. Fighting among men could disrupt societal harmony, and the law sought to address the consequences of such actions. strike a pregnant woman
The involvement of a pregnant woman highlights the vulnerability of both the woman and her unborn child. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, women were often seen as needing protection, and pregnancy added an additional layer of concern. The law here reflects a protective stance towards women and the unborn, emphasizing the value of life and the need for careful consideration of actions that could harm them. and her child is born prematurely
This phrase indicates a premature birth resulting from the altercation. The Hebrew term used can imply a miscarriage or premature birth, and the interpretation has been debated among scholars. The focus is on the outcome of the altercation affecting the unborn child, which underscores the importance of the unborn life in biblical law. but there is no further injury
The absence of further injury suggests that the premature birth did not result in lasting harm to the mother or child. This distinction is crucial in determining the legal consequences. The law differentiates between outcomes, showing a nuanced approach to justice that considers the extent of harm caused. he shall surely be fined
The imposition of a fine indicates a form of restitution, a common legal remedy in ancient Israel. The fine serves as a deterrent and a means of compensating for the wrongdoing. It reflects the principle of justice that requires offenders to make amends for their actions. as the woman’s husband demands
The husband's role in demanding the fine reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where the husband acted as the representative and protector of his family. His involvement ensures that the compensation aligns with the perceived harm and family needs. and as the court allows
The involvement of the court introduces a legal authority to ensure fairness and prevent excessive demands. This reflects the structured legal system within Israel, where judges or elders would oversee disputes and ensure justice was served according to God's law. The court's role ensures that the fine is just and appropriate, balancing the husband's demands with legal standards. Persons / Places / Events 1. Men Striving TogetherThis refers to a conflict or fight between two or more men, which inadvertently affects a pregnant woman. 2. Pregnant WomanA woman carrying a child, who becomes involved in the conflict unintentionally. 3. Children Come OutThis phrase indicates a premature birth caused by the altercation. 4. HusbandThe woman's spouse, who has a role in determining the fine imposed on the offender. 5. JudgesAuthorities who assess the situation and determine the appropriate penalty. Teaching Points Sanctity of LifeThis passage emphasizes the value of both the mother and the unborn child, highlighting the importance of protecting life at all stages. Responsibility and ConsequencesActions have consequences, and this law underscores the responsibility individuals have for unintended harm caused by their actions. Role of AuthorityThe involvement of judges illustrates the importance of impartial authorities in maintaining justice and order. Conflict ResolutionThe passage encourages us to consider the impact of our conflicts on others and to seek peaceful resolutions. Community and AccountabilityThe community, represented by the husband and judges, plays a role in ensuring justice, reminding us of our collective responsibility to uphold righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Exodus 21:22 reflect the value God places on human life, including the unborn? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of responsibility for unintended harm in our daily interactions? 3. How does the role of judges in this passage inform our understanding of justice and authority in the church today? 4. What steps can we take to resolve conflicts peacefully, considering the potential impact on others? 5. How can the community of believers support one another in upholding justice and accountability, as seen in this passage? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 9:6This verse underscores the sanctity of life, which is a foundational principle in understanding the value of the unborn child in Exodus 21:22. Psalm 139:13-16These verses highlight God's intimate involvement in the creation of life in the womb, reinforcing the value of the unborn. Matthew 5:21-22Jesus' teaching on anger and reconciliation can be related to the broader theme of resolving conflicts peacefully. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8Paul's guidance on resolving disputes among believers can be connected to the role of judges in Exodus 21:22. Romans 13:1-7This passage discusses the role of authorities, which parallels the role of judges in determining justice. People MosesPlaces Mount SinaiTopics Agreement, Allow, Allows, Amount, Birth, Case, Causing, Certainly, Child, Contend, Court, Damage, Decide, Decision, Delivered, Demand, Demands, Depart, Determine, Estimate, Evil, Fight, Fighting, Fined, Fixed, Follow, Follows, Fruit, Further, Gives, Harm, Hit, Hurt, Husband, Impose, Injury, Judges, Lay, Loss, Miscarriage, Mischief, Offender, Pay, Payment, Pregnant, Prematurely, Punished, Serious, Smitten, Strike, Strive, Struggle, Surely, Whatever, Woman's, YetDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 21:22 5270 court
5346 injury
5383 lawsuits Exodus 21:15-25 6206 offence Exodus 21:22-25 5061 sanctity of life
5733 pregnancy
5745 women
5803 carelessness
8471 respect, for human beings 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 TestamentThe 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 Links Exodus 21:22 NIVExodus 21:22 NLTExodus 21:22 ESVExodus 21:22 NASBExodus 21:22 KJV
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