Exodus 21:26 (KJV)

What does Exodus 21:26 mean?

Exodus 21:26 says that if a man injures the eye of his servant or maid so badly that the eye is destroyed, he must let that servant go free as compensation for the injury. This law sets a standard that serious harm to a servant requires their release from service.

In this part of Exodus, God is giving laws to Moses for the people of Israel, specifically about fair treatment of servants. The verse addresses a situation where a master causes permanent damage to a servant, showing that the servant’s well-being matters and that there are consequences for mistreatment. This rule is part of a larger section on justice and protection for those in vulnerable positions.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 21:26

• "smite" (נָכָה, nakah): This word means to strike or hit, and in this context, it refers to a physical blow that causes real harm. The law is not about minor injuries but about a serious act that leads to lasting damage.
• "perish" (שָׁחַת, shachath): This word means to destroy or ruin. Here, it makes clear that the injury is not just a bruise or temporary hurt, but the eye is permanently damaged or lost.
• "go" (שָׁלַח, shalach) and "free" (חָפְשִׁי, chofshi): Together, these words mean the servant is to be sent away as a free person, no longer bound to serve. The law turns a serious injury into a reason for release, not just punishment for the master.

Why Exodus 21:26 matters

• This verse corrects the idea that servants in ancient Israel had no rights; it shows that the law protected them from severe mistreatment.
• The verse emphasizes that causing lasting harm to another person, even a servant, has real consequences, setting a limit on a master’s power.
• In the wider passage, this law is part of a group of rules that aim to create fairness and dignity for all people, especially those who might be vulnerable or easily mistreated.