Exodus 21:16 kjv

And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:16 nkjv

"He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:16 niv

"Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death, whether the victim has been sold or is still in the kidnapper's possession.

Exodus 21:16 esv

"Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.

Exodus 21:16 nlt

"Kidnappers must be put to death, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 16 Meaning

Exodus 21:16 establishes the penalty for man-stealing (kidnapping or abducting a person) as a capital offense, deserving of death. This law covers both the act of selling a stolen person into servitude and the mere possession of a stolen person, underscoring the severe nature of infringing upon human liberty and dignity. It highlights that a human being is not mere property but bears the image of God, thus making their theft a crime of utmost gravity, treated with the same severity as murder.

Exodus 21 16 Context

Exodus 21:16 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exo 21:1-23:19), a collection of specific laws delivered by God to Moses immediately following the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. These laws detail the practical application of the broader commandments to Israelite society. Chapter 21, in particular, focuses on civil laws concerning servants, personal injury, property damage, and capital offenses. This verse follows directly after laws regarding intentional murder and striking parents, highlighting the gravity of kidnapping alongside other capital crimes. It addresses the sanctity of human life and freedom, distinguishing between voluntary forms of servitude permitted by law and the forced abduction and sale of individuals, which is strictly prohibited. Historically and culturally, while various forms of servitude existed in the Ancient Near East, this specific law establishes a uniquely severe punishment for "man-stealing," elevating the status and inviolability of human beings within the Mosaic legal framework compared to surrounding nations that might treat human trafficking less harshly or more opportunistically.

Exodus 21 16 Word analysis

• And he that stealeth: The Hebrew word for "stealeth" is gānāḇ (גֹּנֵב), which means "to steal," but in this specific context involving a person, it carries the strong connotation of abduction, kidnapping, or "man-stealing." This is not merely picking a pocket, but the forcible or deceitful taking of a person's liberty.
• a man: The Hebrew word is 'ish (אִישׁ), meaning "a man" or "human being." The emphasis is on a person, not an object or animal. This term reinforces the value and status of a human life created in God's image, making it distinct from the theft of property.
• and selleth him: The Hebrew phrase is ū-məḵāró (וּמְכָרוֹ), meaning "and he sells him." This refers to reducing a person to a commodity, selling them into slavery, often to foreign lands or into permanent bondage. This act compounds the initial crime of abduction, proving clear intent to traffic or exploit.
• or if he be found in his hand: The Hebrew phrase is ōw nimṣā’ bə-yāḏōw (אוֹ נִמְצָא בְיָדוֹ). This crucial clause means "or is found in his possession/custody." This broadens the scope of the law, ensuring that the death penalty applies even if the kidnapped person has not yet been sold. The mere act of illegal possession of a person with the intent to enslave or exploit them, regardless of sale, is a capital crime. It closes potential loopholes where one might claim they had not yet profited from the crime.
• he shall surely be put to death: The Hebrew expression mōṯ yūmāṯ (מוֹת יוּמָת) is an emphatic Hebrew idiom meaning "dying, he shall die" or "he shall certainly be put to death." It denotes an unequivocal capital punishment, without possibility of monetary fine, release, or alternative penalty. It underscores the ultimate gravity with which God views this crime.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him": This clause describes the active steps of man-stealing followed by trafficking. It represents the complete and heinous crime of robbing someone of their freedom and reducing them to chattel. This was a common, cruel practice in the ancient world, often leading to a life of misery.
• "or if he be found in his hand": This important clause ensures that even the intent to sell or exploit, demonstrated by possession of the stolen person, warrants the same severe penalty. It targets the initial act of kidnapping itself, not just the consummation of sale, indicating the inherent wrongness of such a profound violation of human autonomy. It highlights that the crime is not dependent on a financial transaction.
• "he shall surely be put to death": The mandated capital punishment reflects God's profound valuation of human life and liberty. It signifies that violating human freedom in this manner is a direct assault on the divine image, and therefore punishable with the most extreme legal consequence available in Israelite law. This penalty sets the standard for justice and protects the fundamental right to freedom.

Exodus 21 16 Bonus section

The strictness of this law also reflects a preventative measure within the fledgling Israelite nation. In societies prone to social and economic disparities, the powerful could easily exploit the vulnerable. By instituting capital punishment for man-stealing, God's law aimed to protect even the weakest among them from abduction and forced labor, thereby reinforcing justice and equity. This law formed part of the foundational legal structure intended to mold Israel into a society distinct from its pagan neighbors, where such practices were more common and less severely punished. It specifically applied whether the stolen person was an Israelite or a resident alien (ger) in the land, showing an emphasis on the human person regardless of ethnicity. This divine commandment serves as an ancient precursor to modern condemnations of human trafficking and slavery, establishing that trafficking in human beings is a heinous crime in the eyes of God.

Exodus 21 16 Commentary

Exodus 21:16 stands as a monumental declaration of the value of human life and liberty within God's law. Unlike the theft of animals or property, the "theft" of a human being (man-stealing or kidnapping) is not remedied by restitution but by capital punishment. This severe decree underscores that a person is not an object to be owned, bought, or sold. The inclusion of both the act of selling ("and selleth him") and the state of illegal possession ("or if he be found in his hand") covers the full spectrum of this crime, eliminating any legal ambiguity regarding intent or completion. This law places man-stealing in the same category as premeditated murder, highlighting that to deprive a person of their freedom and agency is, in God's sight, an assault of equivalent gravity to taking their life. It provided a stark contrast to many surrounding Ancient Near Eastern cultures where kidnapping for ransom or sale might carry lesser penalties, especially if the victim was of a lower social class. For God's people, every individual bore the Imago Dei, and therefore, their inherent worth and freedom were divinely protected. This verse establishes a fundamental principle against human trafficking and forced servitude that echoes through biblical teaching.