But if, literally “However if,” uses the weaker if (ʾim) instead of the stronger “when” (ki). (See the discussion verse 2.) The word for But is not the usual conjunction waw but a particle showing contrast.

If the slave survives a day or two is literally “if he will stand a day or days [dual].” New International Version interprets this as “if the slave gets up after a day or two,” but most translations take the word “stand” to mean “stay alive.” The implication is that, even if he dies after two days, he (the one who struck him) is not to be punished. So Good News Translation has “if the slave does not die for a day or two,” Translator’s Old Testament has “the slave’s death shall not be avenged,” and one may also say “But if the slave lives for a few days after the owner beats him.”

For the slave is his money means that the value of the slave is measured in terms of money (literally “silver”), or simply as “property” (New Revised Standard Version). The previous clause implies that the slave (man or woman) eventually dies, so Good News Translation is correct in saying “the loss of his property is punishment enough.” The slave therefore is entitled to certain rights, but not the rights of a free man. A possible alternative is “After all, he has already lost the services of that slave who was his property.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .