complete verse (Exodus 21:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 21:20:

  • Kupsabiny: “And/But if someone hits his slave so he dies, he himself should be punished.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If a man beats his mail servant or maiden servant to death, the man must be punished.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘If a man beats his slave, male or female, and this-one dies, he should be-punished.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “‘If anyone whips his male or female laborer with a stick, and so that laborer dies on that day, you (pl.) must punish that laborer’s chief.” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “If a chief will hit his slave with rod, male or woman, and slave die, let them bind him.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “If someone strikes his male or female slave with a stick, if the slave dies immediately/as a result , the one who struck him must be punished.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 21:20

Verses 20 and 21 deal with a single act of violence against slaves. When is literally “And if [ki]” as in verse 18. When a man strikes … with a rod refers to “a slaveowner” (New Revised Standard Version) who “beats … with a stick.” This is the same verb used in verses 12, 15, and 18. The word for rod may mean a stick, a staff, or a club, depending on the context. Verse 19 uses a different word, but both words are translated the same way by Revised Standard Version in Psa 23.4. Moses’ “rod” in 4.2 is yet another Hebrew word.

His slave, male or female is literally “his male slave or his female slave,” using the same words that are used in verses 1 and 7. (See the comment there.) And the slave dies is literally “and he dies.” Under his hand is quite literal and probably means, as Good News Translation expresses it idiomatically, “on the spot,” or “there and then” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), or “immediately” (New Revised Standard Version). But New International Version‘s “as a direct result” is also possible. It must be clear, however, that “the slave dies from the beating” (Durham).

He shall be punished is literally “punished he shall be punished,” using the same emphatic form as “dying he shall die” in verse 12. The basic meaning of the verb is to take revenge, so Translator’s Old Testament has “the death shall be avenged.” But the kind of punishment is not indicated, and it does not say “dying he shall die.” Most scholars conclude, therefore, that it probably refers to a less serious punishment to be determined by a judge. In languages that do not use the passive voice, one may say, for example, “he will receive punishment” or “they must punish him.”

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 .

Translation commentary on Exodus 21:28

When, literally “And if [ki],” introduces the situation, or case, and verses 29-32 describe four different ways to deal with the problem, depending on the circumstances. (See the discussion at verse 2.) The Hebrew word translated as ox (shor) refers to a fully-grown bovine, or head of cattle. It is a generic term that can also mean “bull” (Good News Translation) or even “cow” (female), depending on the context. Translators are advised to use a similar generic term. When an ox gores refers to such an animal that injures a person, a man or a woman, with its horns. Both Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version translate a man or a woman as “someone.” It is also possible to say “a person” rather than indicating both genders. To death is added to show that this law applies only when that person is killed by the injury. In certain languages it will be more natural style to translate this first sentence as “If a bull kills someone with its horns” or “If a bull uses its horns to kill someone,” or even “If a cow hits a person with its horns and kills him.”

The ox shall be stoned, literally “stoned he shall be stoned,” means that the animal must be killed by throwing stones at it. So one may translate “people must throw stones at it until it dies.” (See the comment at 19.13.) And its flesh shall not be eaten implies that the animal has now become taboo, or ritually unfit for eating. This is why it has to be stoned to death, with no one touching it. It also makes certain that the loss of the animal to its owner will be a complete loss. But the owner of the ox shall be clear means that the owner “shall not be liable” (New Revised Standard Version), “is not to be punished” (Good News Translation), or “isn’t responsible for the death” (Contemporary English Version). The complete loss of the animal is considered sufficient punishment.

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 .