Exodus 21:1

¶ Now these [are] the judgments which thou shalt set before them.

Now these are the judgments {H4941} which thou shalt set {H7760} before {H6440} them.

"These are the rulings you are to present to them:

“These are the ordinances that you are to set before them:

Now these are the ordinances which thou shalt set before them.

Commentary

Exodus 21:1 marks a pivotal transition in the narrative of the Old Testament, immediately following the monumental giving of the Ten Commandments. This verse introduces the detailed civil and social laws that God delivers to Moses for the Israelite nation.

Context

After receiving the foundational moral laws at Mount Sinai in Exodus chapter 20, the people of Israel are now poised to receive the practical application of God's holiness and justice. Exodus 21:1 initiates what is traditionally known as the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 21:1-23:33). This section provides specific statutes concerning various aspects of daily life, including slavery, personal injury, property rights, and social responsibilities. It demonstrates God's intent to establish a just and orderly society for His chosen people, distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures.

Key Themes

  • Divine Law and Justice: This verse underscores that God is not only the source of moral principles but also the ultimate Lawgiver who provides specific "judgments" for righteous living within a community. These laws reflect His character of justice and righteousness.
  • Covenant Application: The laws detailed from this point onward are the practical outworking of the covenant relationship established at Sinai. They define how Israel is to live as God's treasured possession, set apart among the nations.
  • Moses' Intermediary Role: The phrase "which thou shalt set before them" highlights Moses' crucial role as the divinely appointed mediator. He is the one through whom God communicates His will and establishes His ordinances for the people of Israel, a role further emphasized throughout the Pentateuch, especially in Deuteronomy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "judgments" is mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטִים). This term refers to legal decisions, ordinances, or statutes that are based on justice and equity. It implies a sense of fairness and rightness in application, distinguishing these as not merely arbitrary rules but principles designed to foster a just society. It carries the nuance of established legal precedent or a ruling that determines what is right or wrong in specific cases.

Practical Application

While the specific civil laws of ancient Israel are not directly binding on New Testament believers in the same way, this verse and the subsequent chapters still offer profound insights. They reveal God's enduring concern for justice, social order, and the protection of the vulnerable. For believers today, Exodus 21:1 reminds us that faith is not merely intellectual assent but is meant to manifest in practical, ethical living. It encourages us to seek justice, uphold righteousness, and live in a manner that reflects God's character in our communities, understanding that true spirituality impacts every area of life, as highlighted in passages like Micah 6:8.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 4:14 (6 votes)

    And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.

  • Deuteronomy 6:20 (4 votes)

    [And] when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [mean] the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

  • Exodus 24:3 (3 votes)

    And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.

  • Exodus 24:4 (3 votes)

    And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 20:25 (2 votes)

    Wherefore I gave them also statutes [that were] not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;

  • Leviticus 18:26 (2 votes)

    Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit [any] of these abominations; [neither] any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:

  • Deuteronomy 5:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.