Guided first edition · Exodus 21:1–36
Central truth
Follow the commands and community responsibilities that shape mercy, justice, purity, work, and neighbor love in Exodus.
Read the complete assigned passage before isolating a phrase or answering a question. Identify the speakers, setting, repeated words, problem, response, and the change that occurs by the end of the unit.
Immediate context
Read Exodus 21:1–36 with the paragraphs before and after it. Identify the opening situation, turning point, and outcome.
Exodus context
Justice and life together: Follow the commands and community responsibilities that shape mercy, justice, purity, work, and neighbor love in Exodus.
Whole-Bible context
Identify the covenant audience, the reason for the command, and its place in rescue, worship, holiness, justice, and communal life.
King James Version · 36 verses
Scripture text
Read the complete assigned text. The KJV text is presented here so that every observation can be checked against the passage.
Exodus 21
King James Version1Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
2If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
3If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself.
5And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
6Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
7And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.
8If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
9And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.
10If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.
11And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.
12He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
13And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
14But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
15And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
16And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
17And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
18And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he die not, but keepeth his bed:
19If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.
20And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
21Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.
22If 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.
23And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
24Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
26And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake.
27And if he smite out his manservant’s tooth, or his maidservant’s tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth’s sake.
28If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.
29But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
30If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.
31Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.
32If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
33And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an ass fall therein;
34The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead beast shall be his.
35And if one man’s ox hurt another’s, that he die; then they shall sell the live ox, and divide the money of it; and the dead ox also they shall divide.
36Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.
Central truth
Follow the commands and community responsibilities that shape mercy, justice, purity, work, and neighbor love in Exodus.
Guided close reading
Work through every reading block in order. The prompts identify what to examine without replacing the words of Scripture.
Chapter summary · 21
Exodus 21
Exodus 21 opens in verse 1 with “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 18 with “And if men strive together, and one smite another with a stone, or with his fist, and he...”, and closes in verse 36 with “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not...”. Repeated or prominent terms include surely, master, owner, death, free. Read these details within the lesson focus: Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”.
Exodus 21:1–8
1–8: These are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
Section summary
Exodus 21:1–8 opens with “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” and reaches “If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be...” by its final verse. That textual movement develops the lesson focus: Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, with special attention to the recurring or prominent terms master, himself, wife.
Deep dive
Verse 1 establishes the section with “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.”. Near verse 4, the wording reads “If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and...”. The final verse closes this reading block with “If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be...”. The wording should be traced through its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and stated consequences before an interpretation is proposed.
Identify the covenant audience, the stated reason for each command, and how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility relate to one another. Trace the words master, himself, wife, bring, children, door across the complete block. Connect every claim to the lesson focus, Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, and label conclusions honestly as explicit statement, Scripture-supported conclusion, strong inference, or interpretation.
Words to trace: master, himself, wife, bring, children, door
Verse-by-verse path
Use these notes to slow down and examine how each verse contributes to the section. Return to the exact wording before drawing a conclusion.
- Exodus 21:1
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
- Exodus 21:2
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:3
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:4
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:5
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:6
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:7
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:8
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
Exodus 21:9–16
9–16: If he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the...
Section summary
Exodus 21:9–16 opens with “And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.” and reaches “And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be...” by its final verse. That textual movement develops the lesson focus: Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, with special attention to the recurring or prominent terms death, surely, hand.
Deep dive
Verse 9 establishes the section with “And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of...”. Near verse 12, the wording reads “He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.”. The final verse closes this reading block with “And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely...”. The wording also contains 2 stated contrasts, 1 verse naming the LORD or God, giving the reader concrete features to test in context.
Identify the covenant audience, the stated reason for each command, and how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility relate to one another. Trace the words death, surely, hand, smiteth, take, altar across the complete block. Connect every claim to the lesson focus, Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, and label conclusions honestly as explicit statement, Scripture-supported conclusion, strong inference, or interpretation.
Words to trace: death, surely, hand, smiteth, take, altar
Verse-by-verse path
Use these notes to slow down and examine how each verse contributes to the section. Return to the exact wording before drawing a conclusion.
- Exodus 21:9
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:10
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:11
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:12
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:13
Turn or contrast: name what stands on each side of the contrast and how it changes the passage’s direction.
- Exodus 21:14
Turn or contrast: name what stands on each side of the contrast and how it changes the passage’s direction.
- Exodus 21:15
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:16
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
Exodus 21:17–24
17–24: He that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Section summary
Exodus 21:17–24 opens with “And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.” and reaches “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,” by its final verse. That textual movement develops the lesson focus: Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, with special attention to the recurring or prominent terms hand, punished, surely.
Deep dive
Verse 17 establishes the section with “And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”. Near verse 20, the wording reads “And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall...”. The final verse closes this reading block with “Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,”. The wording also contains 1 stated contrast, giving the reader concrete features to test in context.
Identify the covenant audience, the stated reason for each command, and how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility relate to one another. Trace the words hand, punished, surely, follow, foot, life across the complete block. Connect every claim to the lesson focus, Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, and label conclusions honestly as explicit statement, Scripture-supported conclusion, strong inference, or interpretation.
Words to trace: hand, punished, surely, follow, foot, life
Verse-by-verse path
Use these notes to slow down and examine how each verse contributes to the section. Return to the exact wording before drawing a conclusion.
- Exodus 21:17
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:18
Turn or contrast: name what stands on each side of the contrast and how it changes the passage’s direction.
- Exodus 21:19
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:20
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:21
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:22
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:23
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
- Exodus 21:24
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
Exodus 21:25–32
25–32: Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
Section summary
Exodus 21:25–32 opens with “Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” and reaches “If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty...” by its final verse. That textual movement develops the lesson focus: Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, with special attention to the recurring or prominent terms owner, stoned, burning.
Deep dive
Verse 25 establishes the section with “Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”. Near verse 28, the wording reads “If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his...”. The final verse closes this reading block with “If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty...”. The wording also contains 2 stated contrasts, giving the reader concrete features to test in context.
Identify the covenant audience, the stated reason for each command, and how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility relate to one another. Trace the words owner, stoned, burning, free, give, gored across the complete block. Connect every claim to the lesson focus, Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, and label conclusions honestly as explicit statement, Scripture-supported conclusion, strong inference, or interpretation.
Words to trace: owner, stoned, burning, free, give, gored
Verse-by-verse path
Use these notes to slow down and examine how each verse contributes to the section. Return to the exact wording before drawing a conclusion.
- Exodus 21:25
Textual detail: identify the action, the people affected, and the change this verse introduces.
- Exodus 21:26
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:27
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:28
Turn or contrast: name what stands on each side of the contrast and how it changes the passage’s direction.
- Exodus 21:29
Turn or contrast: name what stands on each side of the contrast and how it changes the passage’s direction.
- Exodus 21:30
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:31
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:32
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
Exodus 21:33–36
33–36: If a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover...
Section summary
Exodus 21:33–36 opens with “And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or an...” and reaches “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him...” by its final verse. That textual movement develops the lesson focus: Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, with special attention to the recurring or prominent terms dead, owner, divide.
Deep dive
Verse 33 establishes the section with “And if a man shall open a pit, or if a man shall dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or...”. Near verse 34, the wording reads “The owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money unto the owner of them; and the dead...”. The final verse closes this reading block with “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept...”. The wording should be traced through its subjects, actions, connecting terms, and stated consequences before an interpretation is proposed.
Identify the covenant audience, the stated reason for each command, and how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility relate to one another. Trace the words dead, owner, divide, money, another’s, beast across the complete block. Connect every claim to the lesson focus, Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”, and label conclusions honestly as explicit statement, Scripture-supported conclusion, strong inference, or interpretation.
Words to trace: dead, owner, divide, money, another’s, beast
Verse-by-verse path
Use these notes to slow down and examine how each verse contributes to the section. Return to the exact wording before drawing a conclusion.
- Exodus 21:33
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:34
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:35
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
- Exodus 21:36
Command and responsibility: identify who receives the instruction, what it requires, and the purpose supplied by the context.
Observation and teaching prompt
- Identify the people addressed and the covenant setting.
- Distinguish rescue, worship, holiness, justice, and community responsibility.
- Read commands in their literary and covenant context before making a modern application.
Learning objectives
- Place Exodus 21:1–36 within Justice and life together and explain its role in Exodus.
- Describe from the text how the passage develops this focus: Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”.
- Distinguish an explicit statement, a Scripture-supported conclusion, and an interpretation.
- Explain how law and covenant shapes a responsible reading of this unit.
- Compare a related song or video with the passage, then return to the text to test it.
- Form a personal and communal response that does not exceed the evidence of Scripture.
Teacher preparation
- Read Exodus 21:1–36 twice, then read the material immediately before and after it.
- Review the book movement: Justice and life together (Exodus · 03).
- Mark speakers, actions, repeated words, commands, contrasts, promises, and consequences.
- Preview each related song or video and note where it condenses, interprets, or dramatizes the text.
- Prepare a participation option that lets learners respond without forced personal disclosure.
Evidence and interpretation checks
Explicit
Record two claims that Exodus 21:1–36 states directly and cite the verses.
Scripture-supported
Form one conclusion that joins several parts of Exodus 21:1–36. Show each step.
Strong inference
Identify a conclusion that follows the text closely even though it is not stated in one sentence.
Possible or traditional reading
Where responsible readings differ, present the difference without turning it into certainty.
Limit
Do not use speculation as a teaching conclusion.
Discussion with answer guidance
1. What does Exodus 21:1–36 state directly about God, people, or the situation?
Show teacher guidance
Begin with the passage’s words and actions. Require an exact verse before accepting a conclusion.
2. How does this focus develop across the passage: Exodus 21:1–36 moves from “Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.” to “Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not....”?
Show teacher guidance
Trace the opening, change, and outcome. Do not rely on one sentence when the unit presents a sequence.
3. Which word, action, contrast, or response repeats, and what work does it do?
Show teacher guidance
Repetition may signal structure or emphasis, but explain its meaning inside the immediate context.
4. How does this unit contribute to the Justice and life together movement?
Show teacher guidance
Compare the unit with what comes before and after it in the same book.
5. What interpretive caution does law and covenant require here?
Show teacher guidance
Identify the covenant audience, the reason for the command, and its place in rescue, worship, holiness, justice, and communal life.
6. What faithful response follows for an individual and for a community?
Show teacher guidance
Form a concrete, proportionate response. Do not turn a description into a command without evidence.
Responsible application
Heart and habits
Name one belief, desire, or practice that Exodus 21:1–36 corrects, strengthens, or redirects.
Relationships and community
Form one action that protects dignity, truth, justice, mercy, or faithfulness in a real relationship.
Worship and prayer
Write a prayer using the vocabulary and concerns of the passage.
Service and witness
Choose one observable response for this week and one person who can support accountability.
Audience adaptations
Children
Use a short reading block, a people-and-actions map, and one concrete response. Explain difficult vocabulary before reading.
Youth
Ask learners to identify pressure, loyalty, power, and consequences. Permit written responses without public disclosure.
Adults
Add literary and historical context, compare responsible readings, and require evidence for each claim.
Intergenerational group
Pair different ages, assign observation before interpretation, and close with a shared prayer.
Online or at home
Send the reference in advance, use media as an observation pause, and gather responses in a shared document.
Complete 75-minute teaching path
A shorter group can omit the extended discussion while preserving the Scripture reading, evidence check, and closing response.
Orient the group
Name the book, Exodus 21:1–36, genre, and central question. Explain that every conclusion will be checked against the text.
Read the complete unit
Read aloud or silently. Learners mark speakers, repetitions, commands, contrasts, and changes.
Work through the reading blocks
Summarize each block in one sentence and record the verse that supports the summary.
Use a song or video
Play one related resource. Compare its emphasis and omissions with the passage.
Discuss from evidence
Use the questions and require a Scripture reference for every major answer.
Form responsible application
Develop one personal and one communal response. Avoid promises or commands that the text does not establish.
Summarize and pray
Let each learner complete one sentence about the passage. Pray with its vocabulary and concerns.
Song and video learning lab
Use the media after the passage has been read. A song or video may interpret, compress, or dramatize the text, so learners should compare it with Scripture rather than treat it as Scripture.
- Before: read the exact passage and name its central movement.
- During: note which words, people, events, or emotions the artist emphasizes.
- After: identify what the media clarifies, what it leaves out, and what must be checked in the text.
Listen and watch alongside the passage
Related media appears only when its Scripture reference overlaps this study unit. Use music and video as companions, then return to the biblical text.
Blood of the CovenantExodus 21:1-24:18Listen to related music →
Exodus, Definitive EditionExodus 1:1-40:38Listen to related music →Moses in the MountainExodus 19-34Listen to related music →Exodus, Through Fire and SeaExodus 1:1-40:38Listen to related music →Moses in the MountainExodus 19–34Watch a related video ↗