Exodus 21:26 - “If a man strikes his servant’s eye, or his maid’s eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Exodus 21:26" mean?
This verse from Exodus 21:26, "If a man strikes his servant’s eye, or his maid’s eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake," is a fascinating glimpse into ancient Israelite law and its attempts to balance justice and social order. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: This verse falls within a section of Exodus (chapters 21-23) often called the "Book of the Covenant," which contains a collection of laws given to Moses. These laws cover a range of topics, including slavery, personal injury, theft, and property damage.
The Situation: The verse addresses a specific scenario: a master physically assaulting their male or female servant (slave) and causing the servant to lose an eye (i.e., destroying their sight).
The Punishment: The master is not punished with a literal "eye for an eye" as some might assume from other passages in the Bible (like the "lex talionis" principle, found in Exodus 21:24). Instead, the master is obligated to set the servant free. This is a significant consequence.
"For his eye's sake": This phrase is key. It signifies that the servant's freedom is directly linked to the loss of their eye. The master must release the servant because they caused this permanent injury.
Interpretation and Significance:
Limiting Abuse of Power: This law serves to curb the potential for abuse by slave owners. It implies that slaves were not seen as mere property but as human beings with basic rights. Causing permanent damage to their body (like the loss of an eye) had consequences for the master. It disincentivizes mistreatment.
Compensation Through Freedom: The servant's freedom acts as a form of compensation for the loss of their eye. It's not monetary compensation, but the loss of the master's right to their labor and service is a tangible cost. The ability to work for themselves, or someone else under better conditions, is of high value.
Value of Sight: The law implicitly acknowledges the value of eyesight. Loss of an eye is seen as a significant injury warranting a significant response. Freedom for the slave acknowledges this loss of productivity and quality of life for the slave.
A Stepping Stone Towards Justice: While this law doesn't eliminate slavery, it does introduce a measure of accountability and protection for slaves. It's a step toward a more just system, albeit within the context of a society where slavery was accepted.
Not a Universal Law: It's important to remember that this law only applies to the specific situation described (striking the eye). Other forms of abuse might have had different consequences under Israelite law.
In summary, Exodus 21:26 is a law that seeks to protect slaves from severe physical abuse by requiring a master who blinds a servant to release them from slavery. This provides a level of justice, compensation and accountability in a system where slaves are considered property.
Exodus 21:26 - “If a man strikes his servant’s eye, or his maid’s eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake.
What does "Exodus 21:26" mean?
This verse from Exodus 21:26, "If a man strikes his servant’s eye, or his maid’s eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake," is a fascinating glimpse into ancient Israelite law and its attempts to balance justice and social order. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: This verse falls within a section of Exodus (chapters 21-23) often called the "Book of the Covenant," which contains a collection of laws given to Moses. These laws cover a range of topics, including slavery, personal injury, theft, and property damage.
The Situation: The verse addresses a specific scenario: a master physically assaulting their male or female servant (slave) and causing the servant to lose an eye (i.e., destroying their sight).
The Punishment: The master is not punished with a literal "eye for an eye" as some might assume from other passages in the Bible (like the "lex talionis" principle, found in Exodus 21:24). Instead, the master is obligated to set the servant free. This is a significant consequence.
"For his eye's sake": This phrase is key. It signifies that the servant's freedom is directly linked to the loss of their eye. The master must release the servant because they caused this permanent injury.
Interpretation and Significance:
Limiting Abuse of Power: This law serves to curb the potential for abuse by slave owners. It implies that slaves were not seen as mere property but as human beings with basic rights. Causing permanent damage to their body (like the loss of an eye) had consequences for the master. It disincentivizes mistreatment.
Compensation Through Freedom: The servant's freedom acts as a form of compensation for the loss of their eye. It's not monetary compensation, but the loss of the master's right to their labor and service is a tangible cost. The ability to work for themselves, or someone else under better conditions, is of high value.
Value of Sight: The law implicitly acknowledges the value of eyesight. Loss of an eye is seen as a significant injury warranting a significant response. Freedom for the slave acknowledges this loss of productivity and quality of life for the slave.
A Stepping Stone Towards Justice: While this law doesn't eliminate slavery, it does introduce a measure of accountability and protection for slaves. It's a step toward a more just system, albeit within the context of a society where slavery was accepted.
Not a Universal Law: It's important to remember that this law only applies to the specific situation described (striking the eye). Other forms of abuse might have had different consequences under Israelite law.
In summary, Exodus 21:26 is a law that seeks to protect slaves from severe physical abuse by requiring a master who blinds a servant to release them from slavery. This provides a level of justice, compensation and accountability in a system where slaves are considered property.