Laws Concerning Servants, Violence, and Personal Injury

Exodus 21 presents detailed civil and criminal laws given to Israel after the Ten Commandments. The chapter begins with regulations about Hebrew servants, emphasizing their dignity and the path to freedom after six years of service. It establishes the principle of "eye for eye, tooth for tooth," introducing proportional justice that limits excessive revenge. The laws address personal injuries, conflicts between individuals, and consequences for violence—including provisions for pregnant women, accidental harm, and injuries caused by animals. This chapter reveals God's concern for human life, justice, and social order, balancing accountability with protection for the vulnerable. It shows that every person, regardless of social status, has inherent value and deserves fair treatment under God's law.