If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed.

EXODUS 21:19KJV
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Exodus 21:19 (KJV)

What does Exodus 21:19 mean?

Exodus 21:19 says that if a person who was injured by another recovers enough to get up and walk outside with a staff, then the one who caused the injury is not guilty of further punishment, but must pay for the injured person’s lost time and ensure they are completely healed. The verse sets out practical consequences for causing harm, focusing on restitution rather than revenge.

In this part of Exodus, God is giving laws to the Israelites through Moses about how to handle situations where someone is hurt by another person. The verse addresses what should happen if the injured person is not permanently disabled or killed, but recovers enough to resume daily life, even if still needing help to walk. The law requires the person responsible to compensate for lost work and medical care, emphasizing fairness and restoration.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 21:19

  • "quit" (נָקָה, naqah): This word means to be free or acquitted. Here, it shows that the person who caused the injury is not subject to further legal penalty if the victim recovers.
  • "pay" (נָתַן, natan): This means to give or pay. The verse uses it to require the offender to provide compensation for the victim’s lost time.
  • "thoroughly healed" (רָפָא, rapha’): This word means to heal or make whole. The verse uses it twice, stressing that the person responsible must ensure the injured party is fully restored, not just partially recovered.

Why Exodus 21:19 matters

  • Exodus 21:19 clarifies that the law focuses on making things right for the injured person, not on punishing the offender beyond what is fair.
  • The verse highlights the importance of practical restitution—covering lost wages and medical care—rather than seeking revenge or harsh penalties.
  • This law fits into a wider section where God gives Israel a legal framework that values justice, responsibility, and the dignity of both the injured and the one who caused harm.

Where else these words appear

“time” Hebrew H7674 · used in 3 verses

  • Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
  • Isaiah 30:7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

“staff” Hebrew H4938 · used in 11 verses

  • Numbers 21:18 The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves. And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah:
  • 2 Kings 4:31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
  • Isaiah 3:1 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

“quit” Hebrew H5352 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • 1 Samuel 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?
  • Proverbs 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

“thoroughly” Hebrew H7495 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • 2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.
  • Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.