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 fightingIsrael’s civil laws addressed real harms arising from human sin and disorder. A violent conflict could quickly involve innocent people, making those responsible answerable for its consequences. Exo 2:13-14 The next day Moses went out and saw two Hebrews fighting.…
2Sa 14:6-7 And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting…
Deu 25:11-12 If two men are fighting, and the wife of one…
strike a pregnant woman The woman and her unborn child were not overlooked as incidental victims. God’s law required men to restrain violence and recognize their responsibility when their actions endangered vulnerable life. Amo 1:13 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions…
2Ki 15:16 At that time Menahem, starting from Tirzah, attacked Tiphsah…
Hos 13:16 Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled…
and her child is born prematurely, The premature delivery reveals that harm done to the mother affected the child she carried. The unborn child was included within the concern of the law and was not treated as without value before birth. Isa 66:7-8 Before she was in labor, she gave birth;…
Isa 37:3 “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress,”…
but there is no further injury, When neither mother nor child suffered lasting injury, the offender still bore guilt for causing the premature birth and the distress, danger, and loss associated with it. Num 35:22-25 But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility…
Deu 19:4-6 Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees…
Lev 24:19-20 If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done…
he shall surely be fined Financial restitution recognized the seriousness of the offense and required the guilty man to bear a tangible cost for the harm his violence caused. Deu 22:19 They are also to fine him a hundred shekels of silver…
Deu 22:29 the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father…
Exo 22:1-4 If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it…
as the woman’s husband demands The husband represented his household in seeking proper compensation for the injury inflicted upon his wife and child. Exo 22:16-17 If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage…
1Sa 18:25-27 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king desires…”…
Gen 34:12 Demand a high dowry and an expensive gift,…
and as the court allows. Judges restrained personal vengeance and excessive demands by determining a just penalty. God’s law joined compassion for the injured with public justice, requiring accountability for violence while preserving order within the covenant community. Deu 17:8-11 If a case is too difficult for you to judge,…
Deu 1:16-17 At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes…
2Ch 19:6-7 Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do,…
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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