Exodus 21:26-28

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Exodus 21:26 tn The form וְשִׁחֲתָהּ (v^eshikhatah) is the Piel perfect with the vav (ל) consecutive, rendered “and destroys it.” The verb is a strong one, meaning “to ruin, completely destroy.”
2. Exodus 21:26 tn Heb “him”; the referent (the male or female servant) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3. Exodus 21:26 sn Interestingly, the verb used here for “let him go” is the same verb throughout the first part of the book for “release” of the Israelites from slavery. Here, an Israelite will have to release the injured slave.
4. Exodus 21:27 tn Heb “him”; the referent (the male or female servant) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
5. Exodus 21:28 sn The point that this section of the laws makes is that one must ensure the safety of others by controlling the circumstances.
6. Exodus 21:28 tn Traditionally “ox,” but “bull” would also be suitable. The term may refer to one of any variety of large cattle.
7. Exodus 21:28 tn Heb “and he dies”; KJV “that they die”; NAB, NASB “to death.”
8. Exodus 21:28 tn The text uses סָקוֹל יִסָּקֵל (saqol yissaqel), a Qal infinitive absolute with a Niphal imperfect. The infinitive intensifies the imperfect, which here has an obligatory nuance or is a future of instruction.