Exodus 21:18 kjv

And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:

Exodus 21:18 nkjv

"If men contend with each other, and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to his bed,

Exodus 21:18 niv

"If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist and the victim does not die but is confined to bed,

Exodus 21:18 esv

"When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist and the man does not die but takes to his bed,

Exodus 21:18 nlt

"Now suppose two men quarrel, and one hits the other with a stone or fist, and the injured person does not die but is confined to bed.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 18 Meaning

Exodus 21:18 outlines a specific scenario of interpersonal conflict resulting in physical harm that is serious but not fatal. It describes an altercation where individuals fight, and one strikes another with a common object like a stone or with their bare hand. The key outcome is that the injured person does not die, but the injury is severe enough to confine them to bed for recovery. This verse sets the stage for the legal provisions and responsibilities that follow regarding compensation for the victim's time lost, healing, and other damages, thereby establishing a framework for justice and restitution in cases of non-lethal assault within the community.

Exodus 21 18 Context

Exodus 21:18 is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22-23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses at Mount Sinai. Following the foundational moral laws, this section provides specific legal statutes for the Israelite community, covering civil, criminal, and cultic matters. It immediately follows laws concerning capital offenses (e.g., striking a parent, kidnapping, Ex. 21:15-17) and precedes detailed provisions for other personal injuries and damages.

Historically, these laws were given to the newly formed nation of Israel, transitioning from slavery to independent self-governance under God's law. They established a divinely revealed justice system distinct from the prevailing pagan legal codes of the Ancient Near East (such as the Code of Hammurabi). While some superficial similarities in legal structure might exist, the Israelite laws fundamentally differ in their underlying moral principles, emphasis on human dignity, and often, the focus on restitution rather than solely punitive measures. The context is one of a community striving to live righteously under God, where disputes and injuries, though regrettable, needed clear and just procedures for resolution to maintain social order and protect the vulnerable.

Exodus 21 18 Word Analysis

• And if men strive together (v'chi yē'nātsû ʾǎnāshīm - וְכִי יִנָּצוּ אֲנָשִׁים):
  • Yē'nātsû (נָצוּ) implies contention, dispute, or a quarrel leading to physical confrontation. It suggests a fight or an angry exchange that escalates to blows. The law addresses real-life, common human situations of conflict arising within the community.
• and one smite another (v'hikkah ʾīsh ʾet-rēʿēhū - וְהִכָּה אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ):
  • Hikkah (הִכָּה) means "to strike" or "to hit," indicating a direct act of physical aggression. Rēʿēhū (רֵעֵהוּ) signifies "his neighbor" or "fellow-man," emphasizing that these laws apply to interpersonal conflicts within the Israelite society, underscoring community responsibility and mutual respect.
• with a stone, or with his fist (b'ʾeven ʾō b'ʾegrōf - בְּאֶבֶן אוֹ בְאֶגְרֹף):
  • This specifies the means of attack: an ʾeven (אֶבֶן) is a stone, a common and easily accessible object; an ʾegrōf (אֶגְרֹף) is a fist. These are ordinary, impromptu means of inflicting harm, typically implying an spontaneous fight rather than a premeditated assault with a specific weapon, thus indicating the nature of the quarrel as likely non-premeditated in terms of intent to kill.
• and he die not, but keepeth his bed: (v'lōʾ yāmût kî ʾim yippōl l'miṯkāb - וְלֹא יָמֻת כִּי אִם־יִפֹּל לְמִשְׁכָּב):
  • "and he die not" (v'lōʾ yāmût): This is a crucial qualifier, immediately distinguishing this case from murder or manslaughter, which carry capital punishment or city-of-refuge provisions. The law focuses on non-fatal outcomes.
  • "but keepeth his bed" (kî ʾim yippōl l'miṯkāb): Yippōl (יִפֹּל) literally means "falls" or "is cast down," conveying an inability to stand or function. L'miṯkāb (לְמִשְׁכָּב) means "to a bed" or "to his sickbed." This phrase clearly signifies a significant injury that incapacitates the victim, requiring a period of recuperation and bed rest. It is not a minor bruise but an injury that severely impacts daily function, demanding specific legal consequences beyond trivial harm.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "And if men strive together, and one smite another": This phrase describes the common human reality of conflict and physical aggression. It acknowledges that disputes will arise, and provides a framework for addressing them justly, reflecting God's forethought in establishing civil law.
  • "with a stone, or with his fist": This details the common methods of an unplanned attack, setting the context for an unmeditated act of harm. It indicates that the law considers acts of violence arising from escalated disputes, not necessarily from malicious premeditated murder attempts.
  • "and he die not, but keepeth his bed": This combination precisely defines the scope of this particular law. It is for serious, incapacitating non-fatal injuries. This distinction highlights the meticulous nature of God's law, carefully differentiating degrees of harm and corresponding responsibilities, protecting the injured while providing just measures for the one who inflicted harm without homicidal intent.

Exodus 21 18 Bonus section

The detailed civil laws in Exodus, often referred to as the Book of the Covenant, demonstrate the practical outworking of God's holiness and justice in the everyday lives of His people. Unlike other ancient Near Eastern legal codes that often reflected a hierarchical social structure and emphasized state power or specific cultic duties, the Israelite laws reveal a God who is concerned with justice for the common individual, slaves, the poor, and foreigners. The specific inclusion of laws for disputes over bodily harm, like this one, subtly served as a polemic against practices in surrounding cultures where victims might have had less recourse or where vengeance was unrestricted. These laws aimed for a measured response, encouraging a civil society bound by justice and a commitment to restorative actions rather than escalating cycles of violence. Furthermore, the very existence of these meticulously detailed laws indicates God's desire for an ordered and righteous society, foreshadowing the comprehensive nature of the New Covenant's principles of love, which transcend mere legal compliance to address the heart's intent (e.g., Matt. 5:21-22). The community was expected to participate in the application of these laws, making justice a shared responsibility under divine guidance.

Exodus 21 18 Commentary

Exodus 21:18 introduces a foundational principle of Old Testament civil law concerning personal injury: accountability and restitution. God’s law, given to Israel, did not only outline ideal behaviors but also provided practical and just solutions for human failings and societal frictions. This verse specifies the initial conditions for such cases—a dispute escalating to a physical blow, with common implements (stone or fist), resulting in severe but non-fatal injury necessitating bed rest.

The significance lies in several aspects. Firstly, it acknowledges the reality of human sin and conflict, demonstrating that God's law provides a framework for managing a broken world. Secondly, the explicit mention of "he die not" differentiates this statute from capital offenses, revealing a nuanced approach to justice based on outcome and implied intent. This careful distinction emphasizes proportionality, a hallmark of Israelite justice, differing from the sometimes brutal and disproportionate responses seen in other ancient codes. Thirdly, the requirement for the injured person to "keepeth his bed" establishes a tangible measure of severity, ensuring that only truly incapacitating injuries trigger the specific restitution laws that follow (Exodus 21:19). The divine law ensures that the victim, even if they recover, is not left to suffer alone the financial and personal burdens of recovery. It reflects God's concern for the well-being of the individual within the community, providing pathways for justice, healing, and restoration rather than simply retribution. This legislative wisdom served to maintain peace and order within Israel, providing clear standards for civil disputes.