Exodus 21:1 kjv

Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.

Exodus 21:1 nkjv

"Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them:

Exodus 21:1 niv

"These are the laws you are to set before them:

Exodus 21:1 esv

"Now these are the rules that you shall set before them.

Exodus 21:1 nlt

"These are the regulations you must present to Israel.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 1 Meaning

Exodus 21:1 serves as the direct introduction to what is commonly known as the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22-23:33). Following the Ten Commandments, this verse transitions from foundational moral principles to specific, detailed civil and social laws. It declares that the laws about to be revealed are divine judgments and ordinances that Moses is commanded by God to set before the people of Israel, for their guidance in practical living as a covenanted community.

Exodus 21 1 Context

Exodus 21:1 stands immediately after the promulgation of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, which form the moral cornerstone of the Mosaic Covenant. This verse initiates the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22-23:33), a collection of specific civil and social laws that further expound and apply the broad principles of the Decalogue. The historical context is the period directly following Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt and their gathering at Mount Sinai, where God enters into a covenant relationship with them. These laws are foundational for shaping Israel as a distinct, holy nation governed directly by God's decrees, designed to regulate their community life, ethical conduct, and relationship with one another and with God, establishing a just society in anticipation of their life in the Promised Land.

Exodus 21 1 Word analysis

• Now (וְאֵלֶּה, ve'elleh): The Hebrew "waw" (וְ), translated "and" or "now," indicates a continuation but also a significant transition. It connects these detailed laws directly to the preceding covenant declaration and the Ten Commandments, showing they are not arbitrary but flow from and interpret the initial revelation. It suggests "and these also" or "furthermore."
• these (אֵלֶּה, 'elleh): This demonstrative pronoun refers specifically to the following series of laws (Exo 21:2-23:19). It grounds the discourse in a tangible, specific body of statutes.
• are the rules (הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים, hammishpatim):
  • mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט): Derived from the verb shaphat (שָׁפַט), meaning "to judge" or "govern." Mishpat therefore refers to "judgments," "ordinances," "statutes," "laws," or "legal decisions." It implies definitive, authoritative pronouncements for practical application and resolution of disputes. It also carries the connotation of "justice" or "right order."
  • ha- (הַ): The definite article "the," emphasizing these particular, divinely ordained "judgments." They are not general principles but specific decrees.
  • In comparison to the apodictic (absolute) Ten Commandments, these "mishpatim" are largely casuistic (case-by-case, "if-then" structured), providing concrete examples of how to apply justice in various situations within society.
  • The term "rules" (or "judgments") distinguishes this section from "commandments" (מִצְוֹת, mitzvot) and "statutes" (חֻקּוֹת, chukkot), though there is overlap in usage. Mishpatim particularly emphasizes the judicial, binding nature, reflecting the direct command of God, the ultimate Judge.
• that you shall set (תָּשִׂים, tasim):
  • tasim: Second person masculine singular imperfect verb from שׂוּם (sum), meaning "to put," "place," or "appoint." Addressed directly to Moses. This is a divine imperative, a clear command for Moses to convey these laws. The use of "you" in the singular underscores Moses' unique role as the mediator of the covenant.
  • This phrase emphasizes that the law is not to be deduced or invented by the people but given directly by divine authority through God's chosen leader.
• before them (לִפְנֵיהֶם, lifnehem):
  • Literally, "to their faces" or "in front of their faces." The preposition 'le' (לְ) meaning "to" or "for," and the noun panim (פָּנִים) meaning "face," combined with the pronominal suffix "-hem" (their).
  • This stresses the public and accessible nature of the divine revelation. These laws were not to be a secret knowledge for an elite few but openly proclaimed to the entire assembly of Israel. This ensures accountability, as everyone heard them, and reinforces that Israel's entire national life was subject to these divine standards.

Exodus 21 1 Bonus section

The structure of the "Book of the Covenant" with Exodus 21:1 as its introduction mirrors common ancient Near Eastern legal collections (e.g., Laws of Hammurabi, Laws of Ur-Nammu). However, Israel's legal code distinguishes itself significantly:

1. Divine Source: Unlike human kings, the ultimate legislator is YHWH Himself, speaking directly to His covenant people. This places Israel's law within a theological framework, not merely a sociological or political one.
2. Covenantal Context: The laws are explicitly part of a covenant between God and His chosen people, implying a relationship rather than just a legal system. Obedience is tied to blessing, and disobedience to curse, reflecting a personal God.
3. Emphasis on the Vulnerable: While ancient law codes protected the privileged, Israel's law consistently shows special concern for the weak, slaves, foreigners, widows, and orphans, rooted in Israel's own memory of slavery in Egypt and God's compassionate redemption (e.g., Exo 22:21-27). This humanitarian aspect is a clear theological statement about God's character and Israel's ethical responsibilities.
4. No King's Role: Notably, the king plays no role in these foundational laws. God is the direct sovereign and dispenser of justice, bypassing human monarchic authority.
5. Polemics by Ethos: By establishing justice and righteousness based on God's character, these laws implicitly stood in stark contrast to and condemned the injustices and ethical norms of the surrounding cultures that often lacked the same reverence for human dignity, particularly among the lower strata of society.

Exodus 21 1 Commentary

Exodus 21:1 forms a pivotal link in the Mosaic Covenant, shifting from God's thunderous pronouncement of fundamental moral commands (Decalogue) to practical, legally binding applications. By labeling these as mishpatim ("rules" or "judgments"), God indicates they are divine decisions that legislate right living for His people. This distinction is crucial: while the Ten Commandments articulate universal moral truths (e.g., "You shall not murder"), the mishpatim provide specific legal consequences and parameters within the unique societal context of ancient Israel (e.g., specific rules for unintentional killing).

Moses' command to "set before them" underscores the public, explicit, and authoritative nature of God's law. This was not a private instruction but a blueprint for Israel's entire society. Unlike other ancient Near Eastern law codes that were often kingly decrees, these laws derive their authority solely from YHWH, reflecting His justice, holiness, and compassion. They often demonstrate a higher regard for human life, social protection, and equitable treatment, especially for the vulnerable, than contemporary codes. This distinction establishes God's unique relationship with Israel, revealing His character and His expectation for a holy nation distinct from surrounding pagan cultures, demonstrating the implications of living under His divine kingship.