Commentaries:
No entry exists in Forerunner Commentary for Exodus 21:20.
Exodus 21:20-21
Excerpted from: The Sixth CommandmentThis case involves a master (an employer) striking and injuring a slave (or an employee). Since the slave did not die immediately, the use of the rod is not considered as lethal. Since the slave's life lingered, the master is given the benefit of the doubt that the striking was disciplinary rather than homicidal. This may seem strict to you, but compared to other nations regarding the treatment of slaves or employees, this law is very liberal. Because in other nations, doing whatever the master felt was necessary was his absolute right, because the slave was considered totally his property. This was not so in Israel, as we will see in just a few moments.
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