Exodus 21:19 kjv

If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.

Exodus 21:19 nkjv

if he rises again and walks about outside with his staff, then he who struck him shall be acquitted. He shall only pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for him to be thoroughly healed.

Exodus 21:19 niv

the one who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed.

Exodus 21:19 esv

then if the man rises again and walks outdoors with his staff, he who struck him shall be clear; only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall have him thoroughly healed.

Exodus 21:19 nlt

If he is later able to walk outside again, even with a crutch, the assailant will not be punished but must compensate his victim for lost wages and provide for his full recovery.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 19 Meaning

Exodus 21:19 outlines the legal consequence when one person injures another, but the injured party subsequently recovers. In this specific scenario, the assailant is not subject to a capital punishment or severe bodily retribution because the injury was not fatal or permanently disabling. Instead, the focus shifts to financial restitution, where the one who inflicted the harm is required to compensate the victim for the time lost from work and to cover all medical expenses for a complete healing. This law demonstrates a balanced system of justice, protecting both the victim's welfare and the accused from disproportionate punishment.

Exodus 21 19 Context

Exodus 21:19 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 21:1–23:19), which immediately follows the Ten Commandments. This section details various civil, criminal, and cultic laws, applying the moral principles of the Decalogue to practical, everyday life in ancient Israel. The specific laws concerning personal injury (Exo 21:12-36) demonstrate how justice was to be administered in cases ranging from murder to the harming of slaves or animals. Verse 19 directly follows a scenario where two men fight, and one injures the other with a stone or fist (Exo 21:18). This verse clarifies the legal implications if the victim recovers, contrasting it with cases of death or permanent disability where the penalties would be much more severe, often involving capital punishment or a life-for-a-life application. The context highlights God's concern for fair recompense and the protection of individuals within society.

Exodus 21 19 Word analysis

• If he rises again (יָקוּם - yaqum): This signifies that the injured person regains consciousness and begins to recover. It's a key condition: if there is no death or immediate incapacitation, then specific rules apply.
• and walks around (וְהִתְהַלֵּךְ - v'hit'hallekh): The intensive Hithpael stem suggests a sustained action, indicating not just one step but a general return to mobility and normal daily activities.
• outside (בַּחוּץ - ba'chootz): This refers to leaving the house, going about public or external duties, signifying a return to social and economic function. The victim is no longer confined to their bed or home due to the injury.
• with his staff (עַל מִשְׁעַנְתּוֹ - al mish'anto): This phrase has been interpreted in various ways.
  • Symbol of recovery: Many scholars view "staff" here as a shepherd's staff or a general walking stick, symbolizing a return to normal work or daily life, where one might carry a staff. It indicates self-sufficiency and functionality, not necessarily lingering infirmity requiring a crutch. The ability to carry his own staff suggests full physical capability.
  • Lingering weakness (less common view): Some suggest it implies the injured person still needs a staff to aid walking, but can nevertheless move about, signifying sufficient recovery to avoid death but perhaps not full strength. However, the dominant interpretation emphasizes functionality for livelihood.
  The overall point is that the victim is alive, mobile, and functionally able to resume normal activities.
• then the one who struck him shall be cleared (נִקָּה - niqqah): "Cleared" here means absolved of the charge that would incur the death penalty or "life for life" retribution (as specified in the surrounding verses if death or severe permanent injury resulted). His guilt is mitigated from a severe criminal offense to a matter of civil restitution. This law served as a polemic against indiscriminate tribal vengeance, introducing a structured legal process.
• only he shall pay for the loss of his time (שִׁבְתּוֹ - shivto): Literally, "his sitting" or "his resting." This refers to the time the injured person was incapacitated and unable to work, thereby losing wages or productive output. This is compensation for economic loss incurred by the victim.
• and shall have him thoroughly healed (וְרַפֹּא יְרַפֵּא - v'rappoh y'rappeh): This is an infinitive absolute construction ("healing he shall heal"), an emphatic form in Hebrew. It signifies a complete, comprehensive, and diligent healing process. The assailant must bear all expenses related to the medical treatment, recovery, and any rehabilitation necessary until the victim is fully restored to health. This emphasizes the value of the victim's physical well-being.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "If he rises again and walks around outside with his staff": This clause sets a clear threshold for the victim's recovery, distinguishing this case from fatal or permanently disabling injuries. The standard of recovery is visible, external activity.
• "then the one who struck him shall be cleared; only he shall pay": This juxtaposition highlights the shift in legal consequence. Clearance from severe charges (like homicide or mutilation) does not mean total freedom. Financial liability for economic and medical costs remains. This is not about exoneration from responsibility, but differentiation of punishment based on outcome.

Exodus 21 19 Bonus section

• Preventing endless litigation/vengeance: This specific statute limited what could be claimed. If the injured party recovered, there was no permanent claim against the assailant for continuous support or further retribution. This prevented an "eye for an eye" law from being misapplied in cases of recovery and stopped perpetual feuds.
• The wisdom of the Law: The clarity and practicality of this law reveal a sophisticated legal system designed for human society, providing distinct categories of justice based on outcomes. It is a humane application of the law, distinguishing between intent/severity and actual result.
• No Frivolous Suits: The visible demonstration of recovery ("walks around outside with his staff") ensures that a legitimate claim must be established. The victim's physical recovery becomes the benchmark for moving from a criminal charge to a civil claim for damages.

Exodus 21 19 Commentary

Exodus 21:19 elucidates a vital principle of Old Testament civil law: accountability combined with proportionate justice. In cases of bodily injury where the victim recovers fully or sufficiently to resume normal life, the legal outcome transitions from retributive or capital punishment to compensatory restitution. The law recognizes the distinction between intentional harm resulting in death or permanent injury (which carried severe penalties) and harm that, while grievous, results in full recovery. The assailant is not cleared of responsibility but rather is mandated to restore the victim to their original economic and physical state. This includes compensating for lost wages or productive time ("loss of his time") and bearing all costs associated with complete medical recovery ("thoroughly healed"). This legal framework reflects God's justice, valuing human life and well-being, mitigating blood feuds by establishing clear parameters for redress, and ensuring that victims of even non-fatal injuries receive comprehensive material support for their recovery. It fosters both individual responsibility and societal order, providing a just pathway for dispute resolution outside of personal vengeance.