Bible Strands

Exodus 21:22

If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband demands and as the court allows.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Lord speaks through Moses to the Israelite assembly, establishing civil case law following the Decalogue. This verse addresses accidental harm occurring during a physical altercation between men.

The words — יִנָּצוּ (yi.na.Tzu) denotes men struggling together, while יָצְאוּ (ya.tze.'U) describes the premature coming out of the child. These terms anchor the scenario in a specific physical contest rather than a targeted assault.

The thread — The passage connects to Exodus 21:21 regarding property and Exodus 21:23 which mandates life for life if serious injury occurs. It also relates to Deuteronomy 16:18 on appointing judges and Exodus 21:30 on ransom payments for redemption.

Why it lands — The text establishes that accidental harm requires financial restitution determined by the husband and validated by the court. It demands readers distinguish between unintended consequences and intentional violence while submitting to judicial authority.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְכִֽי־ve./khi-and/ ifיִנָּצ֣וּyi.na.Tzuthey will struggle togetherאֲנָשִׁ֗ים'a.na.Shimmenוְנָ֨גְפ֜וּve./Na.ge.Fuand/ they will strikeאִשָּׁ֤ה'i.Shaha womanהָרָה֙ha.Rahpregnantוְיָצְא֣וּve./ya.tze.'Uand/ they will come outיְלָדֶ֔יהָye.la.Dei./hachildren/ herוְלֹ֥אve./Lo'and/ notיִהְיֶ֖הyih.Yehit will beאָס֑וֹן'a.Sonharmעָנ֣וֹשׁa.No.oshcertainly <to fine>יֵעָנֵ֗שׁye.'a.Neshhe will be finedכַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨רka./'a.Sherjust/ asיָשִׁ֤יתya.Shithe will imposeעָלָיו֙'a.La/von/ himבַּ֣עַלBa.'al[the] husband ofהָֽאִשָּׁ֔הha./'i.Shahthe/ womanוְנָתַ֖ןve./na.Tanand/ he will giveבִּפְלִלִֽים׃bi/f.li.Limfor/ [the] estimate

King James Version

If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

Cross-references