King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Whoever kidnaps someone must be put to death, regardless of whether he has already sold him or the person is found still in his possession.
Berean Standard Bible:
Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.
American Standard Version:
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he that stealeth{H1589} a man{H376}, and selleth{H4376} him, or if he be found{H4672} in his hand{H3027}, he shall surely{H4191} be put to death{H4191}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 24:7
- If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.
1 Timothy 1:10
- For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Exodus 22:4
- If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
Genesis 37:28
- Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Genesis 40:15
- For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
Revelation 18:12
- The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
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Commentary for Exodus 21:16
Exodus 21:16 is part of the legal code known as the Covenant Code, which is found within the larger narrative of the book of Exodus. This verse addresses the severe punishment for kidnapping, which in the context of the time, often involved enslaving the victim. The verse reads, "And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death." This reflects the high value placed on human life and personal freedom in ancient Israelite society, as well as the gravity with which the crime of kidnapping was viewed.
The historical context of this law is significant. In the ancient Near East, the practice of selling individuals into slavery was not uncommon, and the Israelites themselves had been enslaved in Egypt. The strict prohibition against kidnapping and human trafficking in Exodus 21:16 underscores the importance of justice and the protection of individual rights within the community. It also serves as a stark reminder of the Israelites' own experience of oppression and their deliverance from slavery, which is a central theme throughout the book of Exodus.
The theme of this verse is closely related to the broader biblical emphasis on justice, particularly for the vulnerable and oppressed. The capital punishment prescribed for the crime of kidnapping highlights the seriousness with which the Israelite legal system regarded the sanctity of human life and the protection of personal liberty. This law served to deter such a heinous act and to uphold the dignity of every individual within the society. It also reflects the principle of lex talionis, or the law of retribution, which is evident in other laws of the Covenant Code, ensuring that the punishment fit the crime.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1589
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּנַב
Transliteration: gânab
Pronunciation: gaw-nab'
Description: a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive; carry away, [idiom] indeed, secretly bring, steal (away), get by stealth. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H4376
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָכַר
Transliteration: mâkar
Pronunciation: maw-kar'
Description: a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender); [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self). - Strong's Number: H4672
There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָצָא
Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. - Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.
