Exodus 21:18 (KJV)

What does Exodus 21:18 mean?

Exodus 21:18 describes a situation where two men get into a fight, and one strikes the other with a stone or his fist. If the injured man does not die but is bedridden as a result, the verse sets up the legal handling for such an incident. This verse is part of a larger section giving specific laws about personal injury and responsibility.

In this passage, God is giving laws to Moses for the Israelites, detailing what should happen when people hurt each other but the injury is not fatal. The focus is on practical justice—what to do when violence leads to harm but not death. This sets the stage for the next verses, which explain compensation and accountability in these cases.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 21:18

• "strive" (רִיב, riv): This word means to quarrel or fight, showing that the situation is not accidental but comes from a dispute or conflict between two people.
• "smite" (נָכָה, nakah): This verb means to strike or hit, and it covers a range of physical blows, whether with an object or a fist, emphasizing the act of causing harm.
• "keepeth" (נָפַל, naphal): Here, this word means "to fall" or "to lie down," and in this context, it refers to the injured person being confined to bed, highlighting the seriousness of the injury even though it is not fatal.
• "bed" (מִשְׁכָּב, mishkav): This word means a place to lie down, usually a bed, and it stresses that the injury is significant enough to require rest and recovery, not just a minor wound.

Why Exodus 21:18 matters

• This verse clarifies that not all violent acts are treated the same; the law distinguishes between injuries that cause death and those that do not, showing a concern for fairness and proportional justice.
• Exodus 21:18 sets up the principle that even non-fatal harm has legal consequences, which is important for understanding the broader biblical approach to personal responsibility and restitution.
• By giving specific examples, this law helps prevent personal revenge and instead directs people to seek justice through established procedures, shaping the community’s approach to conflict and injury.