Exodus 21 from a 21st century perspective

Exodus Chapter 21

Here are a number of general rules that apply to all citizens of Israel.

Slavery is not allowed – to me that is simple here a Hebrew person may hire himself out but only for 6 years then he is allowed to go free – any debt is paid and he may leave.

If he was married at the start of his term of service, his wife and children may go free, but if not then they are stuck. The man may choose to stay with the master who takes him before the judges and drills through his ear with an awl against the doorpost (Yuk!)

I think it is more than a bit unfair on Women in this chapter – if a man is forced to send his daughter off to be a servant, she is stuck for life unless she is redeemed by a close relative. The only thing is that she cannot be sold outside Israel. If the master marries the servant girl to his son, she becomes his daughter and must be treated as such, if she is married off then neglected, she is free to leave.

I do not condone any of this behaviour in the 21^st century, by the way, and inequality on the basis of gender is, I believe, wrong as is slavery.

Next comes some interesting laws on personal injury –

The Bible makes a distinction between murder and manslaughter

Remember the promise honour your father and mother so you will live long in the land – if you don’t, well they can take care of that (legally)!

Kidnappers – or slavers here are as bad as murderers.

Injuries must be compensated – and anybody who beats a slave so that they die must be treated as a murderer.

Here is the basis of the law “Lex Talionis” An eye for an eye.

If anybody permanently damages a slave – the slave is immediately allowed to go free

There is a duty of care for dangerous animals with extra penalty if the animal is known to be dangerous.

There is also a duty of care with regards to excavations and holes.

It is interesting that health and safety legislation can be found as early as Exodus in the Bible 

All in all I don’t quite know how to take this chapter – it seems at once barbaric and anti women and pro slavery, yet in some ways remarkably fair compared to other legal systems  in the ancient world. 

Perhaps if we put it into context – a slave in the Greek or Roman world could just be killed or maimed by their master for no reason.  Also it is interesting to note that in many other legal systems the social status of both victim and perpetrator are taken into account when judgement is passed.  In Exodus it does not matter your status, the law applies to kings and commoners alike.