Exodus 21:15

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 21:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
Exodus 21:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he that smiteth his father or his mother, etc.] With his fist, or with a stick, or cane, or such thing, though they died not with the blow, yet it occasioned any wound, or caused a bruise, or the part smitten black and blue, or left any print of the blow; for, as Jarchi says, the party was not guilty, less by smiting there was a bruise, or weal, made, or any mark or scar: but if so it was, then he shall be surely put to death; the Targum of Jonathan adds, with the suffocation of a napkin; and so Jarchi says with strangling; the manner of which was this, the person was sunk into a dunghill up to his knees, and two persons girt his neck with a napkin or towel until he expired. This crime…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The following offences were to be punished with death: Striking a parent, compare Deuteronomy 27:16. Cursing a parent, compare the marginal references. Kidnapping, whether with a view to retain the person stolen, or to sell him, compare the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“To smite either father or mother, in a manner which indicated either contempt or malice, or left marks of violence, was deemed a proof of so ungrateful and unnatural a disposition, that no provocation was admitted as an excuse, but the offence was made capital. nay, he who cursed his father or mother, who uttered imprecations, ill wishes, or revilings, against a parent, was included in the same sense; though few crimes were made capital by the law of Moses. The law of God, as delegated to parents is honoured when they are honoured, and despised when they are despised, and to rebel against the lawful exercise of this authority is rebellion against God. - Rev. T. Scott Deu 21:18-21, Deu 27:24;…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification