Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Exodus, Chapter 21שמות 21

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

The Covenant Code's case law regulates Hebrew bond-service and its release, prescribes death for striking, cursing, or kidnapping, and turns to compensation for lesser injuries, culminating in the lex talionis — eye for eye, tooth for tooth — a ceiling on retribution, not vengeance. A goring ox extends justice to negligence.

Translation & textual notes

Exodus 21 opens the Covenant Code (Mishpatim, 21:1-23:19), rendered here from the Westminster Leningrad Codex via the OSHB morphological database. The chapter alternates two case-law formulas: the classic כִּי/אִם protasis with a yiqtol or weqatal apodosis (vv. 2-11, 18-37), and a participial casus-pendens formula (מַכֶּה..., 'whoever strikes...') that opens the capital-crime cluster of vv. 12-17. Notable textual and interpretive cruxes include: the kethiv/qere at v. 8 (לא 'not' written but לוֹ 'for himself' read), which turns on whether the maidservant's designation succeeded or failed; the scope of אָסוֹן ('harm') in the miscarriage case of vv. 22-23, the pivotal crux determining whether a fine or the lex talionis applies, and whether the injury in view is to the mother, the child, or both; and several hapax or near-hapax legomena (אֶגְרֹף 'fist', מַרְצֵע 'awl', כְּוִיָּה 'burn', שֶׁבֶת 'loss of time') whose precise sense is reconstructed largely from context and cognate usage. The lex talionis formula of vv. 23-25 ('eye for eye, tooth for tooth') is the passage's most consequential crux of reception: read against comparable Ancient Near Eastern law collections (e.g., the Laws of Hammurabi §196-201, which apply differential penalties by class), it functions in its own context as a ceiling capping judicially-administered retribution at exact equivalence, not a license for private vengeance — a reading later invoked and reinterpreted by Jesus in Matt 5:38-39. The chapter's servant laws (vv. 2-11, 20-21, 26-27, 32) throughout hold in tension genuine protections for the servant (manumission rights, bodily integrity secured by loss of the master's property right) with the underlying property logic of ancient bond-service, most starkly in v. 21's ruling that a delayed death incurs no penalty 'for he is his money.'

1

וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּשִׂ֖ים לִפְנֵיהֶֽם

Now these are the ordinances that you shall set before them:

Resumptive/transitional waw linking the case-law collection to the preceding Decalogueוְ
The chapter opens with a heading formula (וְאֵלֶּה הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים) that ties the casuistic 'ordinances' (מִשְׁפָּטִים) to follow directly to the apodictic 'words' (דְּבָרִים) of ch. 20 — these are the concrete case-law outworkings of the covenant just given.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙and theseconj וְ + demonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (resumptive, linking to ch. 20's revelation)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the vav ties the case-law collection to the Decalogue just given — these are its concrete outworkings.
הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔יםthe ordinancesart + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Predicate nominativeמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance, case-law'; distinguished from the apodictic דְּבָרִים of ch. 20 — these are casuistic rulings for the judges to apply.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker introducing the object clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the clause specifying what Moses is to set before the people.
תָּשִׂ֖יםyou shall setQal impf 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb of the relative clause (addressed to Moses)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/modal — the charge going forwardשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, place'; here of setting legal statutes before the people, i.e., putting them into effect.
לִפְנֵיהֶֽםbefore themprep לְ + N f/c pl constr/Sp3mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (audience: the people/judges)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct plural literally 'to the faces of them' = in their presence, before them.
2

כִּ֤י תִקְנֶה֙ עֶ֣בֶד עִבְרִ֔י שֵׁ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים יַעֲבֹ֑ד וּבַ֨שְּׁבִעִ֔ת יֵצֵ֥א לַֽחָפְשִׁ֖י חִנָּֽם

If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.

Casuistic protasis opening the first case (the Hebrew servant's term of service)כִּי
The classic כִּי-protasis / yiqtol-apodosis pattern opens the servant-law unit (vv. 2-11); the six-plus-seventh structure echoes the six-day/seventh-day Sabbath rhythm just legislated in 20:8-11.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
כִּ֤יifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/case-introducing particle (protasis marker, opening the first case law)כִּי (H3588) 'if, when'; the standard casuistic-law opener.
תִקְנֶה֙you buyQal impf 2ms · קָנָה (H7069)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/case-generic — the hypothetical purchasing scenarioקָנָה (H7069) 'to acquire, buy'; used of acquiring a servant through indenture, not chattel slavery — service is time-bound.
עֶ֣בֶדa servantN m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Direct object of תִקְנֶהעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; a broad term covering bond-service arising from debt or poverty.
עִבְרִ֔יHebrewgentilic adj/noun · עִבְרִי (H5680)Attributive adjective modifying עֶבֶד, specifying the servant's covenant statusעִבְרִי (H5680) 'Hebrew'; marks the servant as a fellow Israelite, triggering the six-year limit that would not apply to foreign slaves (cf. Lev 25:44-46).
שֵׁ֥שׁsixnumeral f sg · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Numeral modifying שָׁנִים (accusative of duration)שֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'.
שָׁנִ֖יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Accusative of duration ('for six years')שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'.
יַעֲבֹ֑דhe shall serveQal impf 3ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb, the case's main stipulation→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the required term of serviceעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work'; cognate with עֶבֶד, the defining verb of the servant's status.
וּבַ֨שְּׁבִעִ֔תand in the seventhconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + ordinal · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Temporal prepositional phrase, apodosisשְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; the six-plus-seventh structure echoes the six-day/seventh-day pattern of creation and Sabbath (20:9-11), embedding servitude law in Israel's sabbatical rhythm.
יֵצֵ֥אhe shall go outQal impf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the apodosis (manumission ruling)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the mandated releaseיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the technical term for manumission running through this unit (vv. 2-11).
לַֽחָפְשִׁ֖יfreeprep לְ + adj · חָפְשִׁי (H2670)Adverbial complement of יֵצֵא (status)חָפְשִׁי (H2670) 'free, freed'; the servant's new legal status upon release.
חִנָּֽםfor nothingadverb · חִנָּם (H2600)Adverbial modifier of יֵצֵא ('without payment')חִנָּם (H2600) 'freely, gratis, without cause'; underscores that no redemption price is owed — the six years already constituted full payment.
3

אִם בְּגַפּ֥וֹ יָבֹ֖א בְּגַפּ֣וֹ יֵצֵ֑א אִם בַּ֤עַל אִשָּׁה֙ ה֔וּא וְיָצְאָ֥ה אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ עִמּֽוֹ

If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he is married, then his wife shall go out with him.

Sub-case within the servant-law protasis, specifying manumission scope by marital statusאִם
A nested אִם-clause qualifies v. 2's general rule: the servant leaves in whatever marital state he entered — a principle immediately complicated by v. 4.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing sub-case (protasis)אִם (H518) 'if'.
בְּגַפּ֥וֹaloneprep בְּ + N m sg constr/Sp3ms · גַּף (H1610)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner (protasis)גַּף (H1610) 'back, body'; idiom בְּגַפּוֹ 'by himself, alone' — i.e., unmarried when acquired.
יָבֹ֖אhe comesQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; his status 'coming in' to service.
בְּגַפּ֣וֹaloneprep בְּ + N m sg constr/Sp3ms · גַּף (H1610)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner (apodosis, resuming the protasis)גַּף (H1610); resumed — he leaves in the same unmarried state he entered.
יֵצֵ֑אhe shall go outQal impf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of apodosis (manumission ruling)→ Yiqtol: prescriptiveיָצָא (H3318); the manumission verb of v. 2.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing second sub-caseאִם (H518).
בַּ֤עַלthe husband ofN m sg constr · בַּעַל (H1167)Predicate nominative, head of construct chainבַּעַל (H1167) 'lord, master, husband'; construct with אִשָּׁה, 'husband of a wife'.
אִשָּׁה֙a wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Genitive completing the construct chainאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'.
ה֔וּאhe (is)independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the nominal clause (copular pronoun)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun, here copular ('he is').
וְיָצְאָ֥הthen she shall go outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of apodosis (weqatal continuing the ruling)→ Weqatal: prescriptive continuation — the ruling that follows from the protasisיָצָא (H3318); weqatal form carries on the case's legal force from the preceding יֵצֵא.
אִשְׁתּ֖וֹhis wifeN f sg constr/Sp3ms · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of וְיָצְאָהאִשָּׁה (H802) with 3ms suffix, 'his wife' — she came with him into service and so is released with him.
עִמּֽוֹwith himprep עִם/Sp3ms · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with'; marks that the wife's release is tied to the husband's, since she entered service already married to him (contrast v. 4).
4

אִם אֲדֹנָיו֙ יִתֶּן ל֣וֹ אִשָּׁ֔ה וְיָלְדָה ל֥וֹ בָנִ֖ים א֣וֹ בָנ֑וֹת הָאִשָּׁ֣ה וִילָדֶ֗יהָ תִּהְיֶה֙ לַֽאדֹנֶ֔יהָ וְה֖וּא יֵצֵ֥א בְגַפּֽוֹ

If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out by himself.

Third sub-case: disposition of a master-provided wife and her children at manumissionאִם
This hard case exposes the servant's dilemma that motivates v. 5's declaration and v. 6's ritual: a family formed at the master's initiative remains the master's property, foreshadowing why a servant might choose permanent bondage over leaving them behind.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing third sub-caseאִם (H518).
אֲדֹנָיו֙his masterN m pl constr/Sp3ms (pl. of majesty) · אָדוֹן (H113)Subject of יִתֶּןאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; plural form with singular sense (plural of respect), the servant's owner.
יִתֶּןgivesQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; here of the master arranging a marriage for his servant, presumably to a fellow servant-woman.
ל֣וֹto himprep לְ/Sp3msIndirect object (dative) of יִתֶּן
אִשָּׁ֔הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of יִתֶּןאִשָּׁה (H802); presumably a fellow servant-woman, whose children then belong to the master as she does.
וְיָלְדָהand she bearsconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (weqatal)→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional scenarioיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'.
ל֥וֹto himprep לְ/Sp3msIndirect object (dative) of וְיָלְדָה
בָנִ֖יםsonsN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of וְיָלְדָהבֵּן (H1121) 'son'.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
בָנ֑וֹתdaughtersN f pl abs · בַּת (H1323)Direct object, second disjunctבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'.
הָאִשָּׁ֣הthe wifeart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of תִּהְיֶה (compound subject, first member)אִשָּׁה (H802), anaphoric, resuming v. 4a.
וִילָדֶ֗יהָand her childrenconj וְ + N m pl constr/Sp3fs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Subject of תִּהְיֶה (compound subject, second member)יֶלֶד (H3206) 'child, boy'; here inclusive of the sons/daughters just named.
תִּהְיֶה֙shall belongQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the legal disposition of wife and childrenהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here with לְ of possession, 'belong to'.
לַֽאדֹנֶ֔יהָto her masterprep לְ + N m pl constr/Sp3fs · אָדוֹן (H113)Predicate complement (possession) of תִּהְיֶהאָדוֹן (H113); the wife and children remain the master's property since the marriage was his provision, not the servant's own.
וְה֖וּאbut heconj וְ + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject, fronted (contrastive — he alone leaves)הוּא (H1931), emphatic/contrastive pronoun highlighting the servant's solitary departure against the family's retention.
יֵצֵ֥אshall go outQal impf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (apodosis, second clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptiveיָצָא (H3318).
בְגַפּֽוֹaloneprep בְּ + N m sg constr/Sp3ms · גַּף (H1610)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerגַּף (H1610); resuming the idiom of v. 3 — he leaves as he entered, solus, without the family the master provided.
5

וְאִם אָמֹ֤ר יֹאמַר֙ הָעֶ֔בֶד אָהַ֨בְתִּי֙ אֶת אֲדֹנִ֔י אֶת אִשְׁתִּ֖י וְאֶת בָּנָ֑י לֹ֥א אֵצֵ֖א חָפְשִֽׁי

But if the servant plainly declares, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,'

Fourth sub-case (protasis): the servant's voluntary declaration of permanent loyaltyוְאִם
The emphatic infinitive-absolute construction (אָמֹר יֹאמַר) marks this as a solemn, legally weighty renunciation of the very release right granted in v. 2; the quotation's protasis is completed by the ritual apodosis of v. 6.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing the fourth sub-case (adversative continuation)אִם (H518), adversative here.
אָמֹ֤רsurely (says)Qal inf abs · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive absolute intensifying יֹאמַר→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic asseveration — the servant's declaration is decisive/formalאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the infinitive-absolute-plus-finite-verb pattern (אָמֹר יֹאמַר) marks a solemn, unequivocal legal declaration by the servant.
יֹאמַר֙he saysQal impf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of protasis, paired with the preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic, intensified by the infinitive absoluteאָמַר (H559); the finite verb of the emphatic construction.
הָעֶ֔בֶדthe servantart + N m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject of יֹאמַרעֶבֶד (H5650), anaphoric to v. 2.
אָהַ֨בְתִּי֙I loveQal perf 1cs · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb of the servant's quoted declaration (direct speech)→ Perfective: a settled, present-relevant state of affection/loyaltyאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; expresses attachment strong enough to forgo freedom — the ground for the ritual of v. 6.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking אֲדֹנִי)
אֲדֹנִ֔יmy masterN m sg constr/Sp1cs · אָדוֹן (H113)Direct object of אָהַבְתִּי (first object)אָדוֹן (H113) with 1cs suffix.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking אִשְׁתִּי)
אִשְׁתִּ֖יmy wifeN f sg constr/Sp1cs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of אָהַבְתִּי (second object)אִשָּׁה (H802) with 1cs suffix.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third object)
בָּנָ֑יmy childrenN m pl constr/Sp1cs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of אָהַבְתִּי (third object)בֵּן (H1121) with 1cs suffix pl.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אֵצֵאלֹא (H3808) 'not'.
אֵצֵ֖אI will go outQal impf 1cs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the servant's declaration (volitional refusal)→ Yiqtol: volitional — the servant's resolve to renounce his right to freedomיָצָא (H3318); the servant renounces the very release mandated in v. 2.
חָפְשִֽׁיfreeadj · חָפְשִׁי (H2670)Predicate adjective/complement of אֵצֵאחָפְשִׁי (H2670), echoing v. 2's terminus technicus for manumission, now refused.
6

וְהִגִּישׁ֤וֹ אֲדֹנָיו֙ אֶל הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְהִגִּישׁוֹ֙ אֶל הַדֶּ֔לֶת א֖וֹ אֶל הַמְּזוּזָ֑ה וְרָצַ֨ע אֲדֹנָ֤יו אֶת אָזְנוֹ֙ בַּמַּרְצֵ֔עַ וַעֲבָד֖וֹ לְעֹלָֽם

then his master shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door or the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.

Apodosis: the ear-piercing ritual formalizing perpetual serviceasyndeton
This ritual apodosis answers v. 5's protasis: the servant's declaration is ratified before God (or the judges) and sealed with a physical mark, converting the six-year term of v. 2 into permanent bondage by the servant's own consent.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְהִגִּישׁ֤וֹthen he shall bring him nearconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms/Sp3ms · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling, ceremony begins)→ Weqatal: prescriptive — the ritual response mandated by the servant's declarationנָגַשׁ (H5066) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the servant is brought before אֱלֹהִים — likely the local judges acting as God's representatives, or a sanctuary rite (cf. 22:8).
אֲדֹנָיו֙his masterN m pl constr/Sp3ms · אָדוֹן (H113)Subject of וְהִגִּישׁוֹאָדוֹן (H113).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אֶלאֱלֹהִים (H430); here most naturally 'God' at a sanctuary, or by extension the local magistrates who adjudicate in God's name (cf. 22:7-8 where the same word covers judges) — a long-debated crux.
וְהִגִּישׁוֹ֙and shall bring himconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms/Sp3ms · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Predicate verb, second clause of the ceremony (weqatal continuing)→ Weqatal: prescriptive continuationנָגַשׁ (H5066); repetition marks the two-stage ritual — first to God/the tribunal, then to the doorpost.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
הַדֶּ֔לֶתthe doorart + N f sg abs · דֶּלֶת (H1817)Object of preposition אֶלדֶּלֶת (H1817) 'door'; the doorpost of the master's house becomes the site of the piercing ritual, symbolically binding the servant to the household.
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal (second disjunct)
הַמְּזוּזָ֑הthe doorpostart + N f sg abs · מְזוּזָה (H4201)Object of preposition אֶל, second disjunctמְזוּזָה (H4201) 'doorpost'; paired term with דֶּלֶת.
וְרָצַ֨עand shall pierceconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · רָצַע (H7527)Predicate verb of the ritual's climax→ Weqatal: prescriptive — the binding ritual actרָצַע (H7527) 'to pierce, bore through', occurring only here and in the parallel Deut 15:17; the physical mark of permanent bondage.
אֲדֹנָ֤יוhis masterN m pl constr/Sp3ms · אָדוֹן (H113)Subject of וְרָצַעאָדוֹן (H113).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking אָזְנוֹ)
אָזְנוֹ֙his earN f sg constr/Sp3ms · אֹזֶן (H241)Direct object of וְרָצַעאֹזֶן (H241) 'ear'; some see the ear as the organ that heard and refused the offer of freedom, now marked as a sign of consent to servitude.
בַּמַּרְצֵ֔עַwith the awlprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מַרְצֵעַ (H4836)Adverbial prepositional phrase of instrumentמַרְצֵעַ (H4836) 'awl', a hapax-adjacent tool term (cf. Deut 15:17), the instrument of piercing.
וַעֲבָד֖וֹand he shall serve himconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms/Sp3ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb of the final ruling (result of the ceremony)→ Weqatal: prescriptive — the resulting permanent statusעָבַד (H5647); the same verb of v. 2 now stripped of its six-year limit.
לְעֹלָֽםforeverprep לְ + N m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Adverbial prepositional phrase of durationעוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration, perpetuity'; here bounded practically by the servant's (or master's) lifetime, not absolute eternity — the term used elsewhere for a lifetime tenure (e.g., 1 Sam 1:22).
7

וְכִֽי יִמְכֹּ֥ר אִ֛ישׁ אֶת בִּתּ֖וֹ לְאָמָ֑ה לֹ֥א תֵצֵ֖א כְּצֵ֥את הָעֲבָדִֽים

And if a man sells his daughter as a maidservant, she shall not go out as the male servants go out.

New case: the indentured daughter, whose release terms differ from the male servant'sוְכִי
Opens a new sub-unit (vv. 7-11) applying and modifying the servant law of vv. 2-6: a daughter sold into service, presumably as a future wife/concubine, is not automatically released after six years but is protected by the special provisions of vv. 8-11.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle opening a new case (the sold daughter)כִּי (H3588).
יִמְכֹּ֥רsellsQal impf 3ms · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; here of a father indenturing his daughter, presumably into a future marriage arrangement (cf. vv. 8-9), not chattel sale.
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִמְכֹּראִישׁ (H376) 'man'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking בִּתּוֹ)
בִּתּ֖וֹhis daughterN f sg constr/Sp3ms · בַּת (H1323)Direct object of יִמְכֹּרבַּת (H1323) with 3ms suffix.
לְאָמָ֑הas a maidservantprep לְ + N f sg abs · אָמָה (H519)Adverbial prepositional phrase of result/purposeאָמָה (H519) 'maidservant, female slave'; distinct legal category from עֶבֶד, governed by its own release rules (vv. 8-11) rather than the six-year rule of v. 2.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תֵצֵאלֹא (H3808).
תֵצֵ֖אshe shall go outQal impf 3fs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — a negated ruling excluding the ordinary manumission ruleיָצָא (H3318); negated here, contrasting the daughter's case with the male servant's automatic release.
כְּצֵ֥אתas the going out ofprep כְּ + Qal inf constr · יָצָא (H3318)Adverbial prepositional phrase of comparison (governs the infinitive clause)→ Infinitive construct: nominalized action, object of comparisonיָצָא (H3318); infinitive construct forms the standard of comparison — she is not released 'as the male servants are released' (i.e., not necessarily after six years).
הָעֲבָדִֽיםthe male servantsart + N m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject of the infinitival comparison clauseעֶבֶד (H5650) plural, referring back to the servant-law of vv. 2-6.
8

אִם רָעָ֞ה בְּעֵינֵ֧י אֲדֹנֶ֛יהָ אֲשֶׁר לא ל֥וֹ יְעָדָ֖הּ וְהֶפְדָּ֑הּ לְעַ֥ם נָכְרִ֛י לֹא יִמְשֹׁ֥ל לְמָכְרָ֖הּ בְּבִגְדוֹ בָֽהּ

If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed; he has no authority to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt treacherously with her.

Sub-case: remedy when the designated maidservant is rejected by her masterאִם
Contains a notable kethiv/qere crux at לא/לוֹ (v. 8): the written text reads 'not' but tradition reads 'for himself,' the latter fitting the context of a broken betrothal-designation; either way the verse protects her from being sold outside the covenant community.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing sub-caseאִם (H518).
רָעָ֞הdispleasingadj f sg abs · רַע (H7451)Predicate adjective of the protasisרַע (H7451) 'bad, evil, displeasing'; here of failing to please, i.e., the master finds her unsatisfactory (as an intended wife/concubine).
בְּעֵינֵ֧יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N f/c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (idiom of evaluation)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom 'in the eyes of' = 'in the judgment/opinion of'.
אֲדֹנֶ֛יהָher masterN m pl constr/Sp3fs · אָדוֹן (H113)Genitive completing the idiomאָדוֹן (H113).
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker introducing a clause modifying אֲדֹנֶיהָאֲשֶׁר (H834).
לאnot / for himselfnegative particle (kethiv) / prep לְ (qere) · לֹא (H3808)Kethiv-qere crux: negates or reflexivizes the relative clauseKethiv-qere crux: written לֹא ('not') but traditionally read לוֹ ('for himself'); the qere ('designated her for himself') fits the context, while the kethiv would read 'whom he did not designate' — resolved in favor of the qere by most versions and commentators.
ל֥וֹfor himselfprep לְ/Sp3ms (qere reading)Indirect object/dative reflecting the intended purpose (qere reading)
יְעָדָ֖הּhe designated herQal perf 3ms/Sp3fs · יָעַד (H3259)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a prior, completed act of betrothal-designationיָעַד (H3259) 'to appoint, designate' (technical for betrothing a woman); the master had earmarked her for himself (or, by extension, for his son, v. 9).
וְהֶפְדָּ֑הּthen he shall let her be redeemedconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms/Sp3fs · פָּדָה (H6299)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Weqatal: prescriptive — the mandated remedyפָּדָה (H6299) Hiphil 'to cause to be redeemed'; her family may buy back her freedom since the master reneged on the marriage purpose for which she was acquired.
לְעַ֥םto a people ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · עַם (H5971)Adverbial prepositional phrase (goal), part of the prohibitionעַם (H5971) 'people'.
נָכְרִ֛יforeignadj m sg abs · נָכְרִי (H5237)Attributive adjective modifying עַםנָכְרִי (H5237) 'foreign, strange'; selling her outside the covenant community is expressly forbidden.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִמְשֹׁללֹא (H3808).
יִמְשֹׁ֥לhe shall have authorityQal impf 3ms · מָשַׁל (H4910)Predicate verb of the prohibition (second ruling within the case)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/prohibitive — the master's power is expressly curtailedמָשַׁל (H4910) 'to rule, have dominion/authority'; his power over her is not absolute.
לְמָכְרָ֖הּto sell herprep לְ + Qal inf constr/Sp3fs · מָכַר (H4376)Infinitive construct complementing יִמְשֹׁל (epexegetical)→ Infinitive construct: naming the forbidden actמָכַר (H4376).
בְּבִגְדוֹin his dealing treacherouslyprep בְּ + Qal inf constr/Sp3ms · בָּגַד (H898)Adverbial prepositional phrase (causal), infinitive clause explaining the ground for redemption→ Infinitive construct: nominalized action giving the reason/causeבָּגַד (H898) 'to act treacherously, deal faithlessly'; names the master's breach of the implicit marriage-designation as the legal ground for her right of redemption.
בָֽהּwith herprep בְּ/Sp3fsObject of preposition בְּ, completing בְּבִגְדוֹ
9

וְאִם לִבְנ֖וֹ יִֽיעָדֶ֑נָּה כְּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט הַבָּנ֖וֹת יַעֲשֶׂה לָּֽהּ

And if he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters.

Further sub-case: designation for the master's son elevates her to full daughter-in-law statusוְאִם
Fronting לִבְנוֹ ('for his son') contrasts sharply with v. 8's designation לוֹ ('for himself'): here she gains the full legal standing of a freeborn daughter rather than remaining subject to servile disposal.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing a further sub-caseאִם (H518).
לִבְנ֖וֹfor his sonprep לְ + N m sg constr/Sp3ms · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial prepositional phrase (goal), fronted for emphasisבֵּן (H1121) with 3ms suffix; fronting highlights the contrast with v. 8 (designation for the master himself).
יִֽיעָדֶ֑נָּהhe designates herQal impf 3ms/Sp3fs · יָעַד (H3259)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseיָעַד (H3259); same betrothal-designation verb as v. 8, now for the son rather than the master.
כְּמִשְׁפַּ֥טaccording to the custom ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Adverbial prepositional phrase of standard/mannerמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, custom, right'; here 'the customary treatment/right' owed to daughters — i.e., full daughter-in-law status, not servant status.
הַבָּנ֖וֹתthe daughtersart + N f pl abs · בַּת (H1323)Genitive completing the construct chainבַּת (H1323); freeborn daughters, whose customary rights (food, clothing, marital rights, v. 10) now become hers.
יַעֲשֶׂהhe shall dealQal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the mandated standard of treatmentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, deal (with)'; governs the treatment owed to her.
לָּֽהּwith herprep לְ/Sp3fsIndirect object (dative) of יַעֲשֶׂה
10

אִם אַחֶ֖רֶת יִֽקַּֽח ל֑וֹ שְׁאֵרָ֛הּ כְּסוּתָ֥הּ וְעֹנָתָ֖הּ לֹ֥א יִגְרָֽע

If he takes another wife for himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.

Sub-case: protection of the first designated wife's rights if the master takes an additional wifeאִם
Assumes polygynous marriage as a social fact and legislates within it, guaranteeing the first wife three concrete entitlements that a second marriage may not erode.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing sub-caseאִם (H518).
אַחֶ֖רֶתanother (woman)adj f sg abs · אַחֵר (H312)Direct object of יִקַּח (substantival use)אַחֵר (H312) 'other, another'; feminine substantival, 'another (wife)' — the master takes an additional wife alongside her.
יִֽקַּֽחhe takesQal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here 'take in marriage'.
ל֑וֹfor himselfprep לְ/Sp3msIndirect object (dative) of יִקַּח
שְׁאֵרָ֛הּher foodN m sg constr/Sp3fs · שְׁאֵר (H7607)Direct object of יִגְרָע (first of three rights, fronted)שְׁאֵר (H7607) 'flesh, food, sustenance'; here of provisions owed to the first wife.
כְּסוּתָ֥הּher clothingN f sg constr/Sp3fs · כְּסוּת (H3682)Direct object of יִגְרָע (second right)כְּסוּת (H3682) 'covering, clothing'.
וְעֹנָתָ֖הּand her marital rightsconj וְ + N f sg constr/Sp3fs · עֹנָה (H5772)Direct object of יִגְרָע (third right)עֹנָה (H5772) 'conjugal right, marital due' (a disputed hapax, sometimes read as 'oil/ointment'); most naturally her sexual/marital entitlement, protected even after a second marriage.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִגְרָעלֹא (H3808).
יִגְרָֽעhe shall diminishQal impf 3ms · גָּרַע (H1639)Predicate verb of the apodosis (prohibition)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/prohibitive — the three rights are protected absolutelyגָּרַע (H1639) 'to diminish, withhold, take away'; the master may not reduce any of the three entitlements listed.
11

וְאִם שְׁלָ֨שׁ אֵ֔לֶּה לֹ֥א יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה לָ֑הּ וְיָצְאָ֥ה חִנָּ֖ם אֵ֥ין כָּֽסֶף

And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

Closing apodosis of the maidservant unit (vv. 7-11): unconditional release if her three rights are withheldוְאִם
This ruling closes the servant-law section (vv. 2-11) with a final protective remedy before the discourse shifts, at v. 12, from כִּי/אִם protases to the participial מַכֵּה formula that opens the capital-crime cluster.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle, concluding apodosis of the servant-daughter unitאִם (H518).
שְׁלָ֨שׁthreenumeral f · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral modifying אֵלֶּה (direct object)שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three', summarizing the three rights of v. 10.
אֵ֔לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Direct object of יַעֲשֶׂה, in apposition with שְׁלָשׁאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these', referring back to food, clothing, and marital rights.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יַעֲשֶׂהלֹא (H3808).
יַעֲשֶׂ֖הhe doesQal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'.
לָ֑הּfor herprep לְ/Sp3fsIndirect object (dative) of יַעֲשֶׂה
וְיָצְאָ֥הthen she shall go outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the apodosis (manumission ruling)→ Weqatal: prescriptive — the remedy of release when the three rights are deniedיָצָא (H3318); unlike the male servant (v. 2), her release here is triggered by breach of rights, not a fixed term.
חִנָּ֖םfor nothingadverb · חִנָּם (H2600)Adverbial modifier of יָצְאָהחִנָּם (H2600) 'freely, without payment'; echoing v. 2, framing her release as complete emancipation.
אֵ֥יןthere is nonegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Negative predicator introducing the final clauseאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'.
כָּֽסֶףmoneyN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Subject of the existential clause אֵין כָּסֶףכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; no redemption price is required — the release is unconditional and free.
12

מַכֵּ֥ה אִ֛ישׁ וָמֵ֖ת מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת

Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.

New capital-crime unit opens asyndetically with a substantival participle rather than כִּי/אִםasyndeton
The participial casus-pendens formula (מַכֵּה אִישׁ...) opens a new cluster of capital laws (vv. 12-17); v. 13-14 will immediately qualify this general rule by distinguishing unintentional death from premeditated murder.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
מַכֵּ֥הwhoever strikesHiphil ptc m sg constr · נָכָה (H5221)Casus pendens / substantival participle functioning as protasis subject (case-opening formula)→ Participle: generic/durative — a class of person defined by the act ('the one who strikes')נָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; the participle-as-protasis formula (מַכֵּה...) replaces the כִּי/אִם construction to open a new sub-collection of capital laws (vv. 12-17).
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of מַכֵּהאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the victim.
וָמֵ֖תso that he diesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (result clause)→ Weqatal: result — the fatal outcome that triggers the rulingמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the fatal result distinguishing this from the injury case of vv. 18-19.
מ֥וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָת→ Infinitive absolute + finite passive: emphatic, certain sentence — the mandatory nature of the death penaltyמוּת (H4191); the מוֹת יוּמָת formula is the Hebrew legal idiom for a mandatory capital sentence, recurring through this unit (vv. 12,15,16,17).
יוּמָֽתhe shall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the apodosis (passive capital sentence)→ Yiqtol (Hophal, passive): prescriptive — the mandated, passively-executed penaltyמוּת (H4191) Hophal 'to be caused to die, be put to death'; the passive voice leaves the executing agent (the community/avenger) unspecified.
13

וַאֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א צָדָ֔ה וְהָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אִנָּ֣ה לְיָד֑וֹ וְשַׂמְתִּ֤י לְךָ֙ מָק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָנ֖וּס שָֽׁמָּה

But if he did not lie in wait, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee.

Exception clause qualifying v. 12: unintentional killing (manslaughter) is distinguished from murder and given asylum instead of executionוַאֲשֶׁר
A relative/conditional exception clause interrupts the מוֹת יוּמָת series to distinguish accidental killing — attributed to divine providence rather than human malice — establishing the legal seed of the later cities of refuge (Num 35; Deut 19).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַאֲשֶׁר֙but he whoconj וְ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/conditional particle introducing the qualifying exception (unintentional killing)אֲשֶׁר (H834), here functioning conditionally, 'but (one) who'.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates צָדָהלֹא (H3808).
צָדָ֔הhe lay in waitQal perf 3ms · צָדָה (H6658)Predicate verb of the relative/conditional clause→ Perfective: describes (the absence of) premeditated intent as a completed dispositionצָדָה (H6658) 'to lie in wait, act with premeditation'; its negation is the legal test distinguishing manslaughter from murder.
וְהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםbut Godconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of אִנָּה (contrastive/adversative waw)אֱלֹהִים (H430); the killing is attributed to divine providence rather than human intent — theologically framing accidental death as under God's sovereign permission.
אִנָּ֣הcaused to happenPiel perf 3ms · אָנָה (H579)Predicate verb of the adversative clause→ Perfective: a completed providential actאָנָה (H579) Piel 'to cause to meet, allow to happen'; idiom for an accident permitted by God, not engineered by human malice.
לְיָד֑וֹinto his handprep לְ + N f sg constr/Sp3ms · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (idiom: 'into his power')יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'fall into the hand of' = come into his power unintentionally.
וְשַׂמְתִּ֤יthen I will appointconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cs · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb of the apodosis (divine first-person ruling)→ Weqatal: prescriptive/future — YHWH's own legislative provisionשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, appoint'; God speaks in first person, instituting the asylum provision (anticipating the cities of refuge).
לְךָ֙for youprep לְ/Sp2msIndirect object (dative), addressed to Moses/Israel
מָק֔וֹםa placeN m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Direct object of וְשַׂמְתִּימָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the seed of the later cities-of-refuge institution.
אֲשֶׁ֥רto whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker introducing the purpose clause modifying מָקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834).
יָנ֖וּסhe may fleeQal impf 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive — permission/provision for flightנוּס (H5127) 'to flee, seek refuge'.
שָֽׁמָּהthere(to)adverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of יָנוּס (directional)שָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional heh, 'to there'.
14

וְכִֽי יָזִ֥ד אִ֛ישׁ עַל רֵעֵ֖הוּ לְהָרְג֣וֹ בְעָרְמָ֑ה מֵעִ֣ם מִזְבְּחִ֔י תִּקָּחֶ֖נּוּ לָמֽוּת

But if a man acts presumptuously against his neighbor, to kill him by cunning, you shall take him even from my altar, that he may die.

Contrasting case: premeditated murder, for which not even altar-asylum appliesוְכִי
Directly contrasts v. 13's unintentional killer: premeditated, cunning murder forfeits even sanctuary protection at the altar, showing that the asylum principle just introduced has firm limits.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְכִֽיbut ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle introducing the contrasting case: premeditated murderכִּי (H3588).
יָזִ֥דacts presumptuouslyHiphil impf 3ms · זוּד (H2102)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseזוּד (H2102) Hiphil 'to act presumptuously, boil up (with pride), premeditate'; the deliberate counterpart to the unintentional act of v. 13.
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יָזִדאִישׁ (H376).
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (opposition)
רֵעֵ֖הוּhis neighborN m sg constr/Sp3ms · רֵעַ (H7453)Object of preposition עַלרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, companion'.
לְהָרְג֣וֹto kill himprep לְ + Qal inf constr/Sp3ms · הָרַג (H2026)Infinitival purpose clause modifying יָזִד→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the intent behind the presumptuous actהָרַג (H2026) 'to kill, slay'; naming premeditated intent to murder.
בְעָרְמָ֑הby cunningprep בְּ + N f sg abs · עָרְמָה (H6195)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerעָרְמָה (H6195) 'cunning, craftiness'; here in a negative sense — calculated deceit, confirming premeditation (contrast the positive sense in Prov 1:4).
מֵעִ֣םeven fromprep מִן + prep עִם · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase of source (emphatic)עִם (H5973) 'with'; compound מֵעִם 'away from beside' intensifies — no sanctuary, not even the altar, offers asylum to a murderer.
מִזְבְּחִ֔יmy altarN m sg constr/Sp1cs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Object of the compound preposition מֵעִםמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; divine first person ('my altar') — altars elsewhere afforded asylum (cf. 1 Kgs 1:50-51; 2:28-34), but that protection is explicitly denied to a premeditated murderer.
תִּקָּחֶ֖נּוּyou shall take himQal impf 2ms/Sp3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb of the apodosis (command)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive/imperatival — the mandated denial of asylumלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, seize'; addressed in 2ms to the community/judges.
לָמֽוּתthat he may dieprep לְ + Qal inf constr · מוּת (H4191)Infinitival purpose clause modifying תִּקָּחֶנּוּ→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the intended, mandated outcomeמוּת (H4191); the purpose of removing him even from the altar is execution.
15

וּמַכֵּ֥ה אָבִ֛יו וְאִמּ֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת

Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

Second capital-crime case in the participial series: striking a parentוְ
Continues the participial מַכֵּה formula of v. 12; striking either parent is capital, enforcing the honor-parents command of 20:12 with maximal severity.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וּמַכֵּ֥הand whoever strikesconj וְ + Hiphil ptc m sg constr · נָכָה (H5221)Casus pendens: substantival participle functioning as protasis subject→ Participle: generic — defining a class of offenderנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike'; resuming the participial case-formula of v. 12, now for parental assault.
אָבִ֛יוhis fatherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · אָב (H1)Direct object of מַכֵּהאָב (H1) 'father'.
וְאִמּ֖וֹor his motherconj וְ + N f sg constr/Sp3ms · אֵם (H517)Direct object of מַכֵּה, second disjunct/coordinateאֵם (H517) 'mother'; striking either parent is capital, reflecting the Decalogue's honor-parents command (20:12) enforced with maximal severity.
מ֥וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָת→ Infinitive absolute + finite passive: emphatic mandatory sentenceמוּת (H4191); the מוֹת יוּמָת formula, as in v. 12.
יוּמָֽתhe shall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol (Hophal): prescriptive — mandated capital penaltyמוּת (H4191) Hophal passive.
16

וְגֹנֵ֨ב אִ֧ישׁ וּמְכָר֛וֹ וְנִמְצָ֥א בְיָד֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת

Whoever steals a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

Third capital case: man-stealing (kidnapping), capital whether or not the victim was soldוְ
Kidnapping is treated as theft of a person and draws the same maximal penalty as murder or striking a parent, regardless of whether the victim was actually sold or merely still held (cf. Deut 24:7).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְגֹנֵ֨בand whoever stealsconj וְ + Qal ptc m sg constr · גָּנַב (H1589)Casus pendens: substantival participle, protasis subject→ Participle: generic — the class of offenderגָּנַב (H1589) 'to steal'; kidnapping is treated as theft of a person.
אִ֧ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of גֹנֵבאִישׁ (H376); the kidnapping victim.
וּמְכָר֛וֹand sells himconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms/Sp3ms · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (one possible outcome)→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional scenario — one of two aggravating circumstancesמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; disposing of the kidnapped victim as a slave.
וְנִמְצָ֥אor he is foundconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb, alternative circumstance (passive)→ Weqatal (Niphal, passive): continuing the conditional scenario — the second possible outcomeמָצָא (H4672) Niphal 'to be found'; whether sold or simply still possessed, either circumstance is capital.
בְיָד֖וֹin his handprep בְּ + N f sg constr/Sp3ms · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative, idiom of possession)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom for being in someone's possession/control.
מ֥וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָת→ Infinitive absolute + finite passive: emphatic mandatory sentenceמוּת (H4191).
יוּמָֽתhe shall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol (Hophal): prescriptive — mandated capital penaltyמוּת (H4191) Hophal passive; kidnapping a fellow Israelite draws the same maximal penalty as murder or striking a parent (cf. Deut 24:7).
17

וּמְקַלֵּ֥ל אָבִ֛יו וְאִמּ֖וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמָֽת

Whoever curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

Fourth and final capital case in the cluster: cursing a parentוְ
Closes the four-case capital cluster (vv. 12-17: fatal assault, parental assault, kidnapping, parental cursing); verbal abuse of parents (paired with the physical assault of v. 15) is treated as capital, cf. Lev 20:9.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וּמְקַלֵּ֥לand whoever cursesconj וְ + Piel ptc m sg constr · קָלַל (H7043)Casus pendens: substantival participle, protasis subject→ Participle: generic — the class of offenderקָלַל (H7043) Piel 'to curse, treat with contempt'; verbal abuse of parents, paired with the physical assault of v. 15.
אָבִ֛יוhis fatherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · אָב (H1)Direct object of מְקַלֵּלאָב (H1).
וְאִמּ֖וֹor his motherconj וְ + N f sg constr/Sp3ms · אֵם (H517)Direct object, second disjunctאֵם (H517); cursing a parent, like striking one, undermines the parental honor commanded in 20:12 and is capital (cf. Lev 20:9).
מ֥וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָת→ Infinitive absolute + finite passive: emphatic mandatory sentenceמוּת (H4191).
יוּמָֽתhe shall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol (Hophal): prescriptive — mandated capital penaltyמוּת (H4191) Hophal passive; closes the four-case capital cluster (vv. 12-17): fatal assault, parental assault, kidnapping, parental cursing.
18

וְכִֽי יְרִיבֻ֣ן אֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְהִכָּה אִישׁ֙ אֶת רֵעֵ֔הוּ בְּאֶ֖בֶן א֣וֹ בְאֶגְרֹ֑ף וְלֹ֥א יָמ֖וּת וְנָפַ֥ל לְמִשְׁכָּֽב

And if men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed,

New unit: non-fatal assault between quarreling men — protasis continues into v. 19's apodosisוְכִי
Marks the transition from the capital-crime formula (vv. 12-17) to a civil-injury-compensation formula; the protasis begun here runs across the verse boundary into v. 19's apodosis.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle opening a new unit: assault and injury (non-fatal)כִּי (H3588).
יְרִיבֻ֣ןquarrelQal impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · רִיב (H7378)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic case; paragogic nun lends emphasisרִיב (H7378) 'to strive, quarrel, contend'; the paragogic nun (יְרִיבֻן) is an archaic/emphatic verbal ending.
אֲנָשִׁ֔יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יְרִיבֻןאִישׁ (H376) plural, 'men'.
וְהִכָּהand one strikesconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb continuing the protasis→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional scenario — the escalation from quarrel to blowנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike'; the same verb as the capital cases of vv. 12,15, now qualified by non-fatal outcome.
אִישׁ֙one (man)N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וְהִכָּהאִישׁ (H376); one of the two quarreling parties.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking רֵעֵהוּ)
רֵעֵ֔הוּhis neighbor / the otherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · רֵעַ (H7453)Direct object of וְהִכָּהרֵעַ (H7453) 'companion, neighbor'; the second party to the quarrel.
בְּאֶ֖בֶןwith a stoneprep בְּ + N f sg abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Adverbial prepositional phrase of instrumentאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
בְאֶגְרֹ֑ףwith a fistprep בְּ + N m sg abs · אֶגְרֹף (H106)Adverbial prepositional phrase of instrument, second disjunctאֶגְרֹף (H106) 'fist', a hapax legomenon; specifying blunt-force means as opposed to a weapon designed to kill (cf. v. 14, 22:2).
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָמוּתלֹא (H3808).
יָמ֖וּתhe diesQal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (negated result)→ Yiqtol: conditional — the non-fatal outcome distinguishing this case from vv. 12-17מוּת (H4191); negated, marking survival as the condition for this case's (lesser) ruling in v. 19.
וְנָפַ֥לbut falls / is confinedconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb continuing the protasis→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional scenarioנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; idiomatic with the following noun, 'take to (his) bed'.
לְמִשְׁכָּֽבto (his) bedprep לְ + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּב (H4904)Adverbial prepositional phrase completing the idiom נָפַל לְמִשְׁכָּבמִשְׁכָּב (H4904) 'bed, couch'; idiom for being laid up/bedridden by injury, the condition triggering the compensation ruling of v. 19.
19

אִם יָק֞וּם וְהִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בַּח֛וּץ עַל מִשְׁעַנְתּ֖וֹ וְנִקָּ֣ה הַמַּכֶּ֑ה רַ֥ק שִׁבְתּ֛וֹ יִתֵּ֖ן וְרַפֹּ֥א יְרַפֵּֽא

if he rises again and walks around outside with his staff, then he who struck him shall be acquitted; only he shall pay for his loss of time, and shall see that he is thoroughly healed.

Apodosis: acquittal of the striker upon the victim's recovery, limited to civil compensationאִם
Completes v. 18's protasis: functional recovery (able to walk, even with a staff) exempts the striker from criminal liability, converting the case into a purely civil matter of lost wages and medical cost.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle, apodosis of v. 18's protasis (resuming the case)אִם (H518).
יָק֞וּםhe risesQal impf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb of the (nested) condition→ Yiqtol: conditional — recovery as the triggering conditionקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand up'; signals recovery from the injury of v. 18.
וְהִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְand walks aboutconj וְ + Hitpael weqatal 3ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb continuing the condition→ Weqatal (Hitpael, iterative-reflexive): continuing durative action — able to move about againהָלַךְ (H1980) Hitpael 'to walk about, go to and fro'; iterative/durative nuance, confirming functional recovery.
בַּח֛וּץoutsideprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Adverbial prepositional phrase of placeחוּץ (H2351) 'outside, the street'; able to be up and about in public.
עַלupon / with the aid ofprep · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase of means
מִשְׁעַנְתּ֖וֹhis staffN f sg constr/Sp3ms · מִשְׁעֶנֶת (H4938)Object of preposition עַלמִשְׁעֶנֶת (H4938) 'staff, support'; walking with a cane still counts as sufficient recovery for acquittal.
וְנִקָּ֣הthen he shall be acquittedconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3ms · נָקָה (H5352)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Weqatal (Niphal, passive): prescriptive — legal exoneration grantedנָקָה (H5352) Niphal 'to be clean, acquitted, exempt'; the striker incurs no criminal/capital liability once the victim recovers.
הַמַּכֶּ֑הthe one who struckart + Hiphil ptc m sg abs · נָכָה (H5221)Subject of וְנִקָּהנָכָה (H5221); substantival participle naming the assailant of v. 18.
רַ֥קonlyadverb · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb qualifying the following clause (limiting liability to civil compensation)רַק (H7535) 'only, surely'; restricts remaining liability to the two items named next.
שִׁבְתּ֛וֹhis loss of timeN f sg constr/Sp3ms · שֶׁבֶת (H7674)Direct object of יִתֵּןשֶׁבֶת (H7674) 'sitting, inactivity', a hapax legomenon here; compensation for the victim's lost working time during convalescence.
יִתֵּ֖ןhe shall give / payQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the apodosis (civil remedy)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the mandated compensationנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, pay'.
וְרַפֹּ֥אand thoroughlyconj וְ + Piel inf abs · רָפָא (H7495)Infinitive absolute intensifying יְרַפֵּא→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic, thorough obligationרָפָא (H7495) 'to heal'; the doubled construction (רַפֹּא יְרַפֵּא) stresses the striker's full responsibility for the victim's complete medical recovery.
יְרַפֵּֽאhe shall have him healedPiel impf 3ms · רָפָא (H7495)Predicate verb of the apodosis, paired with the infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the mandated obligation to cover healing costsרָפָא (H7495) Piel; practically, covering the cost of medical care/healing until full recovery.
20

וְכִֽי יַכֶּה֩ אִ֨ישׁ אֶת עַבְדּ֜וֹ א֤וֹ אֶת אֲמָתוֹ֙ בַּשֵּׁ֔בֶט וּמֵ֖ת תַּ֣חַת יָד֑וֹ נָקֹ֖ם יִנָּקֵֽם

And if a man strikes his male servant or his female servant with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.

New case: a master's fatal beating of his own slave — punishable, unlike ordinary disciplinary force (contrast v. 21)וְכִי
Opens the servant-injury unit (vv. 20-27): a master's disciplinary rod is legitimate, but death 'under his hand' — i.e., immediately from the blow — incurs liability, qualified in the very next verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle opening a new case: master striking a servant fatallyכִּי (H3588).
יַכֶּה֩strikesHiphil impf 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil.
אִ֨ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יַכֶּהאִישׁ (H376); here the master.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking עַבְדּוֹ)
עַבְדּ֜וֹhis male servantN m sg constr/Sp3ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Direct object of יַכֶּה (first disjunct)עֶבֶד (H5650); here a slave under the master's direct disciplinary authority, distinct from the time-bound Hebrew servant of vv. 2-6.
א֤וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking אֲמָתוֹ)
אֲמָתוֹ֙his female servantN f sg constr/Sp3ms · אָמָה (H519)Direct object, second disjunctאָמָה (H519).
בַּשֵּׁ֔בֶטwith a rodprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Adverbial prepositional phrase of instrumentשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'rod, staff'; the ordinary instrument of disciplinary correction, distinguishing this from a weapon.
וּמֵ֖תand he diesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (result)→ Weqatal: result — the fatal outcomeמוּת (H4191).
תַּ֣חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial prepositional phrase of place/circumstanceתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; idiom 'under his hand' = as an immediate result of the beating.
יָד֑וֹhis handN f sg constr/Sp3ms · יָד (H3027)Object of preposition תַּחַתיָד (H3027); the death occurs on the spot, during or immediately after the beating — a further test of intent/severity contrasted with v. 21.
נָקֹ֖םsurelyNiphal inf abs · נָקַם (H5358)Infinitive absolute intensifying יִנָּקֵם→ Infinitive absolute + finite passive: emphatic mandatory sentenceנָקַם (H5358) 'to avenge, punish'; doubled construction parallels the מוֹת יוּמָת formula but uses נָקַם rather than מוּת — leaving the precise penalty somewhat open, a noted crux.
יִנָּקֵֽםhe shall be punishedNiphal impf 3ms · נָקַם (H5358)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): prescriptive — mandated punishmentנָקַם (H5358) Niphal passive; unlike the מוֹת יוּמָת formula of vv. 12-17, this verb of 'vengeance/punishment' is debated — probably still capital, but expressed differently, perhaps because a master's disciplinary intent (not malice) is presumed, in tension with v. 21's qualification.
21

אַ֥ךְ אִם י֛וֹם א֥וֹ יוֹמַ֖יִם יַעֲמֹ֑ד לֹ֣א יֻקַּ֔ם כִּ֥י כַסְפּ֖וֹ הֽוּא

But if he survives a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his property.

Qualifying exception to v. 20: delayed death removes the presumption of lethal intent since the master bears the economic lossאַךְ אִם
A jarring reminder of slavery's property logic within an otherwise protective law: the master's own financial loss of his 'investment' is treated as sufficient penalty if death is delayed rather than immediate.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אַ֥ךְbut / howeveradverb · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive/adversative adverb introducing the qualifying exceptionאַךְ (H389) 'surely, only, however'; here adversative, restricting the preceding ruling.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing the qualifying sub-caseאִם (H518).
י֛וֹםa dayN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of יַעֲמֹד (temporal, first disjunct)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
יוֹמַ֖יִםtwo daysN m dual abs · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of יַעֲמֹד, second disjunctיוֹם (H3117) dual, 'two days'; the survival window that shifts the presumption away from lethal intent.
יַעֲמֹ֑דhe survives / lingersQal impf 3ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional — survival for the stated interval as the legal testעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand, endure, survive'; the servant's lingering alive for a day or two.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יֻקַּםלֹא (H3808).
יֻקַּ֔םhe shall be punishedHophal impf 3ms · נָקַם (H5358)Predicate verb of the apodosis (negated)→ Yiqtol (Hophal, passive): prescriptive — the negated ruling exempting the masterנָקַם (H5358) Hophal passive; same root as v. 20, now negated — no punishment follows if death is delayed.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the rationale for the rulingכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'.
כַסְפּ֖וֹhis money / propertyN m sg constr/Sp3ms · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Predicate nominativeכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; here metonymy for the servant as a monetary asset — the master already suffers the financial loss of his investment, which the law treats as sufficient penalty, a jarring reminder of slavery's property logic even within protective legislation.
הֽוּאhe (is)independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject/copula of the causal clauseהוּא (H1931), copular pronoun.
22

וְכִֽי יִנָּצ֣וּ אֲנָשִׁ֗ים וְנָ֨גְפ֜וּ אִשָּׁ֤ה הָרָה֙ וְיָצְא֣וּ יְלָדֶ֔יהָ וְלֹ֥א יִהְיֶ֖ה אָס֑וֹן עָנ֣וֹשׁ יֵעָנֵ֗שׁ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר יָשִׁ֤ית עָלָיו֙ בַּ֣עַל הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וְנָתַ֖ן בִּפְלִלִֽים

And if men strive and hurt a pregnant woman so that her children come out, but there is no further harm, he shall surely be fined, as much as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine.

New case: collateral injury to a pregnant bystander during a fight between other men — a lesser penalty (fine) when there is 'no אָסוֹן'וְכִי
Opens the pivotal miscarriage/lex-talionis unit (vv. 22-25); the scope of אָסוֹן ('harm') — whether to mother, child, or both — is the central interpretive crux, distinguishing the fine of this verse from the talionic penalty of v. 23.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle opening a new case: injury to a pregnant bystanderכִּי (H3588).
יִנָּצ֣וּstrive / fightNiphal impf 3mp · נָצָה (H5327)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol (Niphal): conditional/generic case — mutual, reciprocal strivingנָצָה (H5327) Niphal 'to struggle, strive, fight (with one another)'.
אֲנָשִׁ֗יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִנָּצוּאִישׁ (H376) plural.
וְנָ֨גְפ֜וּand they hurtconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָגַף (H5062)Predicate verb continuing the protasis→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional scenarioנָגַף (H5062) 'to strike, hit, injure' (often of an accidental blow); the two men's brawl collaterally strikes a bystander.
אִשָּׁ֤הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of וְנָגְפוּאִשָּׁה (H802).
הָרָה֙pregnantadj f sg abs · הָרֶה (H2030)Attributive adjective modifying אִשָּׁההָרֶה (H2030) 'pregnant'.
וְיָצְא֣וּand (her children) come outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (result)→ Weqatal: result — premature birth/miscarriage induced by the blowיָצָא (H3318); the same 'go out' verb used of manumission (vv. 2-11) now describes premature/expelled birth — a crux debated between 'miscarriage' and 'premature but live birth'.
יְלָדֶ֔יהָher childrenN m pl constr/Sp3fs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Subject of וְיָצְאוּיֶלֶד (H3206); plural allows for the possibility of twins, and its precise referent (fetus/newborn) is central to the interpretive crux over vv. 22-23.
וְלֹ֥אand (there is) notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the existential clause (introducing the sub-condition)לֹא (H3808).
יִהְיֶ֖הthere is / happensQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the negated existential clause→ Yiqtol: conditional — absence of further harm as the condition for this (lesser) penaltyהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'.
אָס֑וֹןharm / fatal injuryN m sg abs · אָסוֹן (H611)Subject of יִהְיֶהאָסוֹן (H611) 'injury, harm, fatal accident'; a rare term (elsewhere only Gen 42:4,38; 44:29) whose scope (to the mother? to the child?) is the central crux of this passage, determining whether it prescribes a fine (if only the birth was premature) or the lex talionis of v. 23 (if the mother or child dies).
עָנ֣וֹשׁsurelyQal inf abs · עָנַשׁ (H6064)Infinitive absolute intensifying יֵעָנֵשׁ→ Infinitive absolute + finite passive: emphatic, certain penaltyעָנַשׁ (H6064) 'to fine, penalize'; doubled construction parallels the מוֹת יוּמָת idiom but for a monetary, not capital, penalty.
יֵעָנֵ֗שׁhe shall be finedNiphal impf 3ms · עָנַשׁ (H6064)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): prescriptive — the mandated monetary penaltyעָנַשׁ (H6064) Niphal passive.
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨רaccording to asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative clause marker introducing the standard for the fineאֲשֶׁר (H834).
יָשִׁ֤יתhe shall imposeQal impf 3ms · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Yiqtol: modal — the husband's discretionary demandשִׁית (H7896) 'to set, place, impose'; the amount is negotiated/claimed by the husband rather than fixed by statute.
עָלָיו֙upon himprep עַל/Sp3ms · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (the party liable to pay)
בַּ֣עַלthe husband ofN m sg constr · בַּעַל (H1167)Subject of יָשִׁית, head of construct chainבַּעַל (H1167) 'husband, master'; construct with הָאִשָּׁה.
הָֽאִשָּׁ֔הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Genitive completing the construct chainאִשָּׁה (H802), anaphoric.
וְנָתַ֖ןand he shall payconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the apodosis, second clause→ Weqatal: prescriptive — the mandated paymentנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, pay'.
בִּפְלִלִֽיםby / through the judgesprep בְּ + N m pl abs · פָּלִיל (H6414)Adverbial prepositional phrase (agency/standard: judicial arbitration)פָּלִיל (H6414) 'judge, arbiter'; the husband's claim is not unilateral but subject to judicial assessment/adjudication.
23

וְאִם אָס֖וֹן יִהְיֶ֑ה וְנָתַתָּ֥ה נֶ֖פֶשׁ תַּ֥חַת נָֽפֶשׁ

But if there is harm, then you shall give life for life,

Apodosis introducing the lex talionis: proportional, court-administered retribution replaces open-ended vengeanceוְאִם
Opens the classical 'eye for eye' formula (vv. 23-25), historically understood as a limiting, not license-granting, principle capping retribution at exact equivalence rather than escalating blood-vengeance.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing the graver alternative to v. 22אִם (H518).
אָס֖וֹןharmN m sg abs · אָסוֹן (H611)Subject of יִהְיֶהאָסוֹן (H611); resumed from v. 22, now affirmed rather than negated — the trigger for the talionic scale.
יִהְיֶ֑הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional — the graver outcomeהָיָה (H1961).
וְנָתַתָּ֥הthen you shall giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the apodosis, opening the lex talionis formula→ Weqatal: prescriptive — the mandated proportional penalty, addressed in 2msנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; introduces the first and most severe item of the talionic list, נֶפֶשׁ תַּחַת נֶפֶשׁ.
נֶ֖פֶשׁlifeN c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object of וְנָתַתָּהנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, person'; here concretely 'a life' forfeited in exchange.
תַּ֥חַתfor / in place ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase marking talionic equivalenceתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, instead of'; the structural particle of the entire talio formula (vv. 23-25), expressing measured equivalence rather than unlimited vengeance.
נָֽפֶשׁlifeN c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Object of preposition תַּחַתנֶפֶשׁ (H5315); repeated for the talionic pairing — the offender's life balances the one taken.
24

עַ֚יִן תַּ֣חַת עַ֔יִן שֵׁ֖ן תַּ֣חַת שֵׁ֑ן יָ֚ד תַּ֣חַת יָ֔ד רֶ֖גֶל תַּ֥חַת רָֽגֶל

eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Continuation of the lex talionis list: major bodily membersasyndeton
The list proceeds from life (v. 23) through major members (eye, tooth, hand, foot) to lesser wounds in v. 25, moving from graver to lighter injuries in descending order.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
עַ֚יִןeyeN c sg abs · עַיִן (H5869)Object continuing the talionic list (asyndetic apposition to v. 23)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the most famous item of the talio formula, later cited/critiqued by Jesus (Matt 5:38-39) as a legal limiting principle, not a personal license for retaliation.
תַּ֣חַתforprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of talionic equivalenceתַּחַת (H8478).
עַ֔יִןeyeN c sg abs · עַיִן (H5869)Object of preposition תַּחַתעַיִן (H5869); repeated for the pairing.
שֵׁ֖ןtoothN c sg abs · שֵׁן (H8127)Object continuing the listשֵׁן (H8127) 'tooth'.
תַּ֣חַתforprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of talionic equivalence
שֵׁ֑ןtoothN c sg abs · שֵׁן (H8127)Object of preposition תַּחַתשֵׁן (H8127); repeated.
יָ֚דhandN c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Object continuing the listיָד (H3027) 'hand'.
תַּ֣חַתforprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of talionic equivalence
יָ֔דhandN c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Object of preposition תַּחַתיָד (H3027); repeated.
רֶ֖גֶלfootN f sg abs · רֶגֶל (H7272)Object continuing the listרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'.
תַּ֥חַתforprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of talionic equivalence
רָֽגֶלfootN f sg abs · רֶגֶל (H7272)Object of preposition תַּחַתרֶגֶל (H7272); repeated, closing the major-member pairs before the minor-injury pairs of v. 25.
25

כְּוִיָּה֙ תַּ֣חַת כְּוִיָּ֔ה פֶּ֖צַע תַּ֣חַת פָּ֑צַע חַבּוּרָ֕ה תַּ֖חַת חַבּוּרָֽה

burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Conclusion of the lex talionis list: minor injuriesasyndeton
Closes the vv. 23-25 unit, which functions as a ceiling on compensatory justice — 'no more than' one eye for one eye — subsequently applied concretely to servants in vv. 26-27.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
כְּוִיָּה֙burnN f sg abs · כְּוִיָּה (H3555)Object continuing/closing the talionic listכְּוִיָּה (H3555) 'burn, branding'; a hapax legomenon, the lightest category, closing the descending scale life→member→wound.
תַּ֣חַתforprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of talionic equivalence
כְּוִיָּ֔הburnN f sg abs · כְּוִיָּה (H3555)Object of preposition תַּחַתכְּוִיָּה (H3555); repeated.
פֶּ֖צַעwoundN m sg abs · פֶּצַע (H6482)Object continuing the listפֶּצַע (H6482) 'wound, bruise'.
תַּ֣חַתforprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of talionic equivalence
פָּ֑צַעwoundN m sg abs · פֶּצַע (H6482)Object of preposition תַּחַתפֶּצַע (H6482); repeated.
חַבּוּרָ֕הstripe / weltN f sg abs · חַבּוּרָה (H2250)Object continuing the listחַבּוּרָה (H2250) 'stripe, welt, bruise'; the lightest injury named, closing the formula.
תַּ֖חַתforprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of talionic equivalence
חַבּוּרָֽהstripe / weltN f sg abs · חַבּוּרָה (H2250)Object of preposition תַּחַתחַבּוּרָה (H2250); repeated, closing the lex talionis unit (vv. 23-25) before its application to servants in vv. 26-27.
26

וְכִֽי יַכֶּ֨ה אִ֜ישׁ אֶת עֵ֥ין עַבְדּ֛וֹ אֽוֹ אֶת עֵ֥ין אֲמָת֖וֹ וְשִֽׁחֲתָ֑הּ לַֽחָפְשִׁ֥י יְשַׁלְּחֶ֖נּוּ תַּ֥חַת עֵינֽוֹ

And if a man strikes the eye of his male servant or the eye of his female servant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye.

Application of the talio principle to a servant: bodily injury (eye) is compensated with manumission rather than reciprocal mutilation of the masterוְכִי
Converts the abstract talionic principle of vv. 23-25 into a concrete rule protecting servants specifically: instead of literally taking the master's eye, the servant is set free — a striking substitution of liberty for retaliation.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle applying the talio principle to servant injuriesכִּי (H3588).
יַכֶּ֨הstrikesHiphil impf 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil.
אִ֜ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יַכֶּהאִישׁ (H376); here the master.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking עֵין עַבְדּוֹ)
עֵ֥יןthe eye ofN c sg constr · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of יַכֶּה, head of construct chainעַיִן (H5869); applying the talio principle of v. 24 concretely to the master-servant relation, but converting bodily retaliation into manumission — a striking substitution.
עַבְדּ֛וֹhis male servantN m sg constr/Sp3ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive completing the construct chainעֶבֶד (H5650).
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking עֵין אֲמָתוֹ)
עֵ֥יןthe eye ofN c sg constr · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object, second disjunct, head of construct chainעַיִן (H5869).
אֲמָת֖וֹhis female servantN f sg constr/Sp3ms · אָמָה (H519)Genitive completing the construct chainאָמָה (H519).
וְשִֽׁחֲתָ֑הּand destroys itconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms/Sp3fs · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (result)→ Weqatal: result — the destructive/disabling outcomeשָׁחַת (H7843) Piel 'to destroy, ruin'; permanent loss/blinding of the eye, the triggering harm.
לַֽחָפְשִׁ֥יfreeprep לְ + adj · חָפְשִׁי (H2670)Adverbial complement of יְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּחָפְשִׁי (H2670); the servant's status upon release, echoing vv. 2,5.
יְשַׁלְּחֶ֖נּוּhe shall send him awayPiel impf 3ms/Sp3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — manumission mandated as the remedyשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away, release'; here the compensatory remedy replaces bodily talio with emancipation.
תַּ֥חַתfor the sake ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of talionic equivalence, echoing vv. 23-25תַּחַת (H8478); the same equivalence-particle as the lex talionis, now cashing out as freedom rather than bodily retaliation.
עֵינֽוֹhis eyeN c sg constr/Sp3ms · עַיִן (H5869)Object of preposition תַּחַתעַיִן (H5869), the servant's own eye — the loss he suffered is compensated with liberty.
27

וְאִם שֵׁ֥ן עַבְדּ֛וֹ אֽוֹ שֵׁ֥ן אֲמָת֖וֹ יַפִּ֑יל לַֽחָפְשִׁ֥י יְשַׁלְּחֶ֖נּוּ תַּ֥חַת שִׁנּֽוֹ

And if he knocks out the tooth of his male servant or the tooth of his female servant, he shall let him go free for the sake of his tooth.

Parallel case: even a lesser permanent injury (a tooth) secures a servant's manumission, closing the injury-law unit (vv. 18-27)וְאִם
Extends the principle of v. 26 to a lesser but still permanent injury, establishing that any lasting bodily harm to a servant secures freedom — closing the whole injury-and-assault unit that began at v. 18.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing the parallel tooth-caseאִם (H518).
שֵׁ֥ןthe tooth ofN c sg constr · שֵׁן (H8127)Direct object of יַפִּיל, head of construct chainשֵׁן (H8127); the second item from the talio list of v. 24, now applied to servants.
עַבְדּ֛וֹhis male servantN m sg constr/Sp3ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive completing construct chainעֶבֶד (H5650).
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
שֵׁ֥ןthe tooth ofN c sg constr · שֵׁן (H8127)Direct object, second disjunct, head of construct chainשֵׁן (H8127).
אֲמָת֖וֹhis female servantN f sg constr/Sp3ms · אָמָה (H519)Genitive completing construct chainאָמָה (H519).
יַפִּ֑ילhe knocks outHiphil impf 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseנָפַל (H5307) Hiphil 'to cause to fall'; here 'to knock out' (a tooth).
לַֽחָפְשִׁ֥יfreeprep לְ + adj · חָפְשִׁי (H2670)Adverbial complement of יְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּחָפְשִׁי (H2670).
יְשַׁלְּחֶ֖נּוּhe shall send him awayPiel impf 3ms/Sp3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — manumission mandatedשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel; the same remedy as v. 26, extending the principle to even a minor but permanent injury.
תַּ֥חַתfor the sake ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of talionic equivalenceתַּחַת (H8478).
שִׁנּֽוֹhis toothN c sg constr/Sp3ms · שֵׁן (H8127)Object of preposition תַּחַתשֵׁן (H8127), closing the unit vv. 26-27 that limits a master's power over servants' bodies by the same talio logic just laid down.
28

וְכִֽי יִגַּ֨ח שׁ֥וֹר אֶת אִ֛ישׁ א֥וֹ אֶת אִשָּׁ֖ה וָמֵ֑ת סָק֨וֹל יִסָּקֵ֜ל הַשּׁ֗וֹר וְלֹ֤א יֵאָכֵל֙ אֶת בְּשָׂר֔וֹ וּבַ֥עַל הַשּׁ֖וֹר נָקִֽי

And if an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted.

Opens the goring-ox unit: baseline case of a first-time-offending ox, owner acquittedוְכִי
Begins the animal-liability unit (vv. 28-32): the goring ox itself is destroyed and its meat forbidden, but an owner with no prior warning of danger bears no liability — the baseline against which vv. 29-32 add graduated exceptions.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle opening the goring-ox unit (vv. 28-32)כִּי (H3588).
יִגַּ֨חgoresQal impf 3ms · נָגַח (H5055)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseנָגַח (H5055) 'to gore, butt (with horns)'; the technical verb of the entire goring-ox unit.
שׁ֥וֹרan oxN m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subject of יִגַּחשׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox, bull'; treated as a legally liable animal whose owner bears derivative responsibility.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking אִישׁ)
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of יִגַּח (first disjunct)אִישׁ (H376).
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking אִשָּׁה)
אִשָּׁ֖הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object, second disjunctאִשָּׁה (H802); the law applies equally regardless of the victim's sex.
וָמֵ֑תand diesconj וְ + Qal perf/weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (result)→ Weqatal: result — the fatal outcomeמוּת (H4191).
סָק֨וֹלsurelyQal inf abs · סָקַל (H5619)Infinitive absolute intensifying יִסָּקֵל→ Infinitive absolute + finite passive: emphatic mandatory sentenceסָקַל (H5619) 'to stone'; doubled construction as with the מוֹת יוּמָת formula, here applied to the animal itself.
יִסָּקֵ֜לit shall be stonedNiphal impf 3ms · סָקַל (H5619)Predicate verb of the apodosis (first ruling)→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): prescriptive — mandated destruction of the animalסָקַל (H5619) Niphal passive; stoning (rather than slaughter) treats the ox almost as a culpable agent, removing bloodguilt from the community.
הַשּׁ֗וֹרthe oxart + N m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subject of יִסָּקֵלשׁוֹר (H7794), anaphoric.
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יֵאָכֵללֹא (H3808).
יֵאָכֵל֙shall be eatenNiphal impf 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb of the apodosis (second ruling, negated)→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): prescriptive — prohibition of consumptionאָכַל (H398) Niphal passive 'to be eaten'; the meat is rendered forbidden, likely as a mark of the animal's bloodguilt/uncleanness rather than ordinary slaughter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking בְּשָׂרוֹ, resumptive of the passive subject)
בְּשָׂר֔וֹits fleshN m sg constr/Sp3ms · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Retained direct object with passive יֵאָכֵל (resumptive)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, meat'.
וּבַ֥עַלbut the owner ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · בַּעַל (H1167)Subject of the final nominal clause (contrastive waw)בַּעַל (H1167) 'owner, master'; construct with הַשּׁוֹר.
הַשּׁ֖וֹרthe oxart + N m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Genitive completing the construct chainשׁוֹר (H7794).
נָקִֽיinnocent / acquittedadj m sg abs · נָקִי (H5355)Predicate adjective of the nominal clauseנָקִי (H5355) 'clean, innocent, exempt'; the baseline ruling — an owner with no prior warning bears no liability, contrasted sharply with v. 29.
29

וְאִ֡ם שׁוֹר֩ נַגָּ֨ח ה֜וּא מִתְּמֹ֣ל שִׁלְשֹׁ֗ם וְהוּעַ֤ד בִּבְעָלָיו֙ וְלֹ֣א יִשְׁמְרֶ֔נּוּ וְהֵמִ֥ית אִ֖ישׁ א֣וֹ אִשָּׁ֑ה הַשּׁוֹר֙ יִסָּקֵ֔ל וְגַם בְּעָלָ֖יו יוּמָֽת

But if the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has been warned but has not kept it in, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.

Aggravated sub-case: a known habitually-goring ox whose owner was warned and negligent — owner's liability now added to the animal's destructionוְאִם
Formal legal notice (עוּד, 'warned') to the owner is the pivot that shifts liability from the animal alone to the negligent owner as well; the transition into v. 30's ransom provision immediately qualifies the apparent absoluteness of the death sentence.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְאִ֡םbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing the aggravated sub-case: a known habitual gorerאִם (H518).
שׁוֹר֩an oxN m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subject of the nominal clause (fronted)שׁוֹר (H7794).
נַגָּ֨חhabitually goring / a goreradj m sg abs · נַגָּח (H5056)Predicate adjectiveנַגָּח (H5056) 'given to goring', a rare adjectival form denoting habitual disposition, not a single act.
ה֜וּאit (is)independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula of the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931), copular.
מִתְּמֹ֣לfrom beforeprep מִן + adverb · תְּמוֹל (H8543)Adverbial prepositional phrase of timeתְּמוֹל (H8543) 'yesterday, formerly'; idiomatic with שִׁלְשׁוֹם for habitual past behavior.
שִׁלְשֹׁ֗םand previouslyadverb · שִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032)Adverbial phrase continuing the idiom of time (paired with תְּמוֹל)שִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032) 'day before yesterday'; fixed idiom תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם, 'in time past, previously', establishing a documented pattern of behavior.
וְהוּעַ֤דand it has been warnedconj וְ + Hophal weqatal 3ms · עוּד (H5749)Predicate verb (passive) continuing the protasis→ Weqatal (Hophal, passive): continuing the conditional scenario — formal legal notice as a precondition of liabilityעוּד (H5749) Hophal 'to be warned, testified against'; establishes that the owner had formal notice of the danger, the crucial fact that shifts liability from the animal alone to the owner.
בִּבְעָלָיו֙to / against its ownerprep בְּ + N m pl constr/Sp3ms · בַּעַל (H1167)Adverbial prepositional phrase (the party warned)בַּעַל (H1167) 'owner'.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִשְׁמְרֶנּוּלֹא (H3808).
יִשְׁמְרֶ֔נּוּhe kept it inQal impf 3ms/Sp3ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (negated)→ Yiqtol: conditional — the owner's negligence (failure to confine the animal) after warningשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, watch'; negated, marking the owner's negligence as the legal ground for his liability.
וְהֵמִ֥יתand it killsconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (result)→ Weqatal (Hiphil): result — the fatal outcome following the owner's negligenceמוּת (H4191) Hiphil 'to cause to die, kill'.
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of וְהֵמִית (first disjunct)אִישׁ (H376).
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
אִשָּׁ֑הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object, second disjunctאִשָּׁה (H802).
הַשּׁוֹר֙the oxart + N m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subject of יִסָּקֵלשׁוֹר (H7794).
יִסָּקֵ֔לshall be stonedNiphal impf 3ms · סָקַל (H5619)Predicate verb of the apodosis (first ruling)→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): prescriptive — the animal is destroyed as in v. 28סָקַל (H5619) Niphal passive.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + adverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial conjunction introducing the aggravated additional penaltyגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; signals that here, unlike v. 28, human liability is added to the animal's destruction.
בְּעָלָ֖יוits ownerN m pl constr/Sp3ms · בַּעַל (H1167)Subject of יוּמָתבַּעַל (H1167).
יוּמָֽתshall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the apodosis (second ruling)→ Yiqtol (Hophal, passive): prescriptive — the owner's own liability, mitigated by ransom in v. 30מוּת (H4191) Hophal passive; the base penalty is capital, but v. 30 immediately provides for commutation via כֹּפֶר, showing the death sentence functions as a maximum liability rather than an invariable mandate.
30

אִם כֹּ֖פֶר יוּשַׁ֣ת עָלָ֑יו וְנָתַן֙ פִּדְיֹ֣ן נַפְשׁ֔וֹ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר יוּשַׁ֖ת עָלָֽיו

If a ransom is imposed on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed on him.

Provision for commuting the capital sentence of v. 29 into a monetary ransomאִם
The negligent owner's forfeited life (v. 29) may be redeemed at a price fixed by the aggrieved party/community — כֹּפֶר shares its root with כִּפֶּר, 'atone', framing the payment as a substitutionary buy-back.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing the ransom/commutation optionאִם (H518).
כֹּ֖פֶרa ransomN m sg abs · כֹּפֶר (H3724)Subject of יוּשַׁתכֹּפֶר (H3724) 'ransom, price of a life'; the same root as כִּפֶּר, 'atone' — a substitutionary payment that commutes the capital sentence of v. 29 into a monetary one.
יוּשַׁ֣תis imposedHophal impf 3ms · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol (Hophal, passive): conditional — the possibility of a negotiated/imposed ransomשִׁית (H7896) Hophal passive 'to be placed, imposed'; the ransom's amount and legitimacy are set by the community/victim's family, not the offender himself.
עָלָ֑יוupon himprep עַל/Sp3ms · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (the liable party)
וְנָתַן֙then he shall giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Weqatal: prescriptive — the mandated payment once a ransom is setנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'.
פִּדְיֹ֣ןthe redemption ofN m sg constr · פִּדְיוֹן (H6306)Direct object of וְנָתַן, head of construct chainפִּדְיוֹן (H6306) 'ransom-price, redemption'; cognate concept to כֹּפֶר, together framing the payment as buying back a forfeited life.
נַפְשׁ֔וֹhis lifeN c sg constr/Sp3ms · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive completing the construct chainנֶפֶשׁ (H5315); the offender's own life, otherwise forfeit under v. 29.
כְּכֹ֥לaccording to all / whateverprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase of standard/amountכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; introducing the relative clause specifying the amount.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker introducing the amount clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834).
יוּשַׁ֖תis imposedHophal impf 3ms · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol (Hophal, passive): the amount as externally determinedשִׁית (H7896) Hophal passive; repeated, emphasizing that the sum is set by the same authority/process as the initial ransom.
עָלָֽיוupon himprep עַל/Sp3ms · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (the liable party)
31

אוֹ בֵ֥ן יִגָּ֖ח אוֹ בַ֣ת יִגָּ֑ח כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֥ט הַזֶּ֖ה יֵעָ֥שֶׂה לּֽוֹ

Whether it gores a son or gores a daughter, according to this ordinance it shall be done to him.

Extension clause: the vv. 28-30 ruling applies equally when the ox gores a minor son or daughterאוֹ
A cross-referencing clause ('according to this ordinance') extends the entire preceding ruling — stoning of the ox, capital/ransom liability of a negligent owner — to cases where the victim is a minor child of either sex.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אוֹwhether / orconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction opening a further application clauseאוֹ (H176).
בֵ֥ןa sonN m sg abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of יִגָּח (first disjunct, fronted)בֵּן (H1121); extending the ruling of vv. 28-30 to minors.
יִגָּ֖חit goresQal impf 3ms · נָגַח (H5055)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseנָגַח (H5055).
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
בַ֣תa daughterN f sg abs · בַּת (H1323)Direct object, second disjunct, frontedבַּת (H1323).
יִגָּ֑חit goresQal impf 3ms · נָגַח (H5055)Predicate verb, second clause of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseנָגַח (H5055); repetition covers both sexes of minor victims equally.
כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֥טaccording to the ordinanceprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Adverbial prepositional phrase of standardמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance'; referring back to the whole ruling of vv. 28-30 (stoning of the ox, potential capital/ransom liability of the owner).
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying מִשְׁפָּטזֶה (H2088) 'this'.
יֵעָ֥שֶׂהit shall be doneNiphal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): prescriptive — the extension of the prior ruling by cross-referenceעָשָׂה (H6213) Niphal passive 'to be done'.
לּֽוֹto himprep לְ/Sp3msIndirect object (dative) of יֵעָשֶׂה, the negligent owner
32

אִם עֶ֛בֶד יִגַּ֥ח הַשּׁ֖וֹר א֣וֹ אָמָ֑ה כֶּ֣סֶף שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שְׁקָלִ֗ים יִתֵּן֙ לַֽאדֹנָ֔יו וְהַשּׁ֖וֹר יִסָּקֵֽל

If the ox gores a male servant or a female servant, he shall give thirty shekels of silver to their master, and the ox shall be stoned.

Closing sub-case of the goring-ox unit: a fixed 30-shekel indemnity when the victim is a servant, contrasting with the capital/ransom liability for a free victimאִם
Closes the unit (vv. 28-32): the animal's destruction is constant across every case, while human liability scales sharply by the victim's social status — a fixed statutory sum for a servant versus capital/ransom liability for a free person.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing the servant-victim sub-caseאִם (H518).
עֶ֛בֶדa male servantN m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Direct object of יִגַּח (fronted, first disjunct)עֶבֶד (H5650); a servant's life is here explicitly valued at a fixed statutory sum rather than by the capital/ransom rule of a free victim (vv. 28-30), a further reminder of slavery's distinct legal status.
יִגַּ֥חgoresQal impf 3ms · נָגַח (H5055)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseנָגַח (H5055).
הַשּׁ֖וֹרthe oxart + N m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subject of יִגַּחשׁוֹר (H7794).
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
אָמָ֑הa female servantN f sg abs · אָמָה (H519)Direct object, second disjunctאָמָה (H519).
כֶּ֣סֶףsilverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object of יִתֵּן, head of a quantity phraseכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֣יםthirtynumeral cp · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Numeral modifying שְׁקָלִיםשְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; the fixed statutory sum (cf. the same figure used of Christ's betrayal price, Matt 26:15, echoing this verse's valuation).
שְׁקָלִ֗יםshekelsN m pl abs · שֶׁקֶל (H8255)Genitive of measure completing the quantity phraseשֶׁקֶל (H8255) 'shekel', a weight/monetary unit.
יִתֵּן֙he shall giveQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the apodosis (first ruling)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the fixed compensation owed to the servant's ownerנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'.
לַֽאדֹנָ֔יוto his / their masterprep לְ + N m pl constr/Sp3ms · אָדוֹן (H113)Indirect object (dative) of יִתֵּןאָדוֹן (H113); the payment goes to the servant's owner, not to the servant, underscoring the servant's status as the owner's property/asset for this purpose.
וְהַשּׁ֖וֹרand the oxconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subject of יִסָּקֵלשׁוֹר (H7794).
יִסָּקֵֽלshall be stonedNiphal impf 3ms · סָקַל (H5619)Predicate verb of the apodosis (second ruling)→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): prescriptive — the animal is destroyed regardless of the victim's statusסָקַל (H5619) Niphal passive; closes the goring-ox unit (vv. 28-32): the animal's destruction is constant across all cases, while human liability scales by the victim's social status.
33

וְכִֽי יִפְתַּ֨ח אִ֜ישׁ בּ֗וֹר א֠וֹ כִּֽי יִכְרֶ֥ה אִ֛ישׁ בֹּ֖ר וְלֹ֣א יְכַסֶּ֑נּוּ וְנָֽפַל שָׁ֥מָּה שּׁ֖וֹר א֥וֹ חֲמֽוֹר

And if a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,

Opens the pit-liability unit: protasis defining negligent exposure of a hazard, continuing into v. 34's apodosisוְכִי
Two disjunctive protases (opening an existing pit vs. digging a new one) converge on the same operative fault: failure to cover the hazard — negligence, not the digging itself, is the essential precondition of liability.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle opening the open-pit liability unitכִּי (H3588).
יִפְתַּ֨חopensQal impf 3ms · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate verb of protasis (first disjunct)→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseפָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; here of uncovering/exposing an existing pit/cistern.
אִ֜ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִפְתַּחאִישׁ (H376).
בּ֗וֹרa pitN m sg abs · בּוֹר (H953)Direct object of יִפְתַּחבּוֹר (H953) 'pit, cistern'; commonly dug to collect water, a hazard if left uncovered.
א֠וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction joining the two protasis clauses
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle introducing the second disjunct of the protasisכִּי (H3588).
יִכְרֶ֥הdigsQal impf 3ms · כָּרָה (H3738)Predicate verb of the second protasis clause→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseכָּרָה (H3738) 'to dig'; here of excavating a new pit, the second way liability can arise.
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִכְרֶהאִישׁ (H376).
בֹּ֖רa pitN m sg abs · בּוֹר (H953)Direct object of יִכְרֶהבּוֹר (H953).
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יְכַסֶּנּוּלֹא (H3808).
יְכַסֶּ֑נּוּhe covers itPiel impf 3ms/Sp3ms · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (negated)→ Yiqtol: conditional — the negligent failure to cover, the essential precondition of liabilityכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; negligence (failing to cover) rather than the digging itself is the operative legal fault.
וְנָֽפַלand fallsconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (result)→ Weqatal: result — the accident precipitated by the uncovered pitנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'.
שָׁ֥מָּהthere(in)adverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of וְנָפַל (directional)שָׁם (H8033) with directional heh.
שּׁ֖וֹרan oxN m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subject of וְנָפַל (first disjunct)שׁוֹר (H7794).
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
חֲמֽוֹרa donkeyN c sg abs · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Subject, second disjunctחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; livestock generally, extending pit-liability beyond oxen alone.
34

בַּ֤עַל הַבּוֹר֙ יְשַׁלֵּ֔ם כֶּ֖סֶף יָשִׁ֣יב לִבְעָלָ֑יו וְהַמֵּ֖ת יִֽהְיֶה לּֽוֹ

the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall pay money to their owner, and the dead animal shall be his.

Apodosis: the pit-owner pays full value for the lost animal and keeps the carcassasyndeton
Completes the pit-liability case (vv. 33-34): the negligent owner indemnifies the animal's owner in cash and, having paid full value, retains the carcass — a balanced transaction.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
בַּ֤עַלthe owner ofN m sg constr · בַּעַל (H1167)Subject of יְשַׁלֵּם, head of construct chainבַּעַל (H1167); the negligent digger/opener bears liability.
הַבּוֹר֙the pitart + N m sg abs · בּוֹר (H953)Genitive completing the construct chainבּוֹר (H953).
יְשַׁלֵּ֔םhe shall make restitutionPiel impf 3ms · שָׁלַם (H7999)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the mandated indemnityשָׁלַם (H7999) Piel 'to make whole, repay, restore'; the operative restitution verb of the property-damage laws (also vv. 36-37).
כֶּ֖סֶףmoneyN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object of יָשִׁיבכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'.
יָשִׁ֣יבhe shall pay backHiphil impf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb of the apodosis, second clause (epexegetical of יְשַׁלֵּם)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — specifying the mode of restitution as monetary paymentשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to bring back, restore, repay'; specifies that the restitution takes the form of a cash payment equal to the animal's value.
לִבְעָלָ֑יוto its ownerprep לְ + N m pl constr/Sp3ms · בַּעַל (H1167)Indirect object (dative) of יָשִׁיבבַּעַל (H1167); the owner of the ox/donkey that fell in.
וְהַמֵּ֖תand the dead (animal)conj וְ + art + Qal ptc ms abs · מוּת (H4191)Subject of יִהְיֶה (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival — the dead animal as a class/itemמוּת (H4191) Qal participle 'the dead (one)'; substantival, referring to the carcass.
יִֽהְיֶהshall be / belongQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the apodosis (final clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — disposition of the carcassהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, belong'; the pit-owner keeps the carcass (for hide, feeding to animals, etc.) having paid full value, balancing the transaction.
לּֽוֹto / for himprep לְ/Sp3msPredicate complement (possession) of יִהְיֶה
35

וְכִֽי יִגֹּ֧ף שֽׁוֹר אִ֛ישׁ אֶת שׁ֥וֹר רֵעֵ֖הוּ וָמֵ֑ת וּמָ֨כְר֜וּ אֶת הַשּׁ֤וֹר הַחַי֙ וְחָצ֣וּ אֶת כַּסְפּ֔וֹ וְגַ֥ם אֶת הַמֵּ֖ת יֶֽחֱצֽוּן

And if one man's ox hurts another's, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide its price, and the dead animal also they shall divide.

Ox-gores-ox case (no-fault default): equal division of both the surviving ox's value and the carcass when neither owner's negligence is establishedוְכִי
Opens the ox-versus-ox unit (vv. 35-36): where fault is not established, the loss is shared equally — both the surviving ox's sale price and the dead ox's carcass are split — contrasted with v. 36's fault-based rule.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle opening the ox-gores-ox unitכִּי (H3588).
יִגֹּ֧ףhurts / strikesQal impf 3ms · נָגַף (H5062)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseנָגַף (H5062) 'to strike, hurt, gore'; here between two animals rather than an ox and a human.
שֽׁוֹרthe ox ofN m sg constr · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subject of יִגֹּף, head of construct chainשׁוֹר (H7794).
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive completing the construct chainאִישׁ (H376).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking שׁוֹר רֵעֵהוּ)
שׁ֥וֹרthe ox ofN m sg constr · שׁוֹר (H7794)Direct object of יִגֹּף, head of construct chainשׁוֹר (H7794).
רֵעֵ֖הוּhis neighborN m sg constr/Sp3ms · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive completing the construct chainרֵעַ (H7453).
וָמֵ֑תso that it diesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (result)→ Weqatal: result — the fatal outcomeמוּת (H4191).
וּמָ֨כְר֜וּthen they shall sellconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Weqatal: prescriptive — the mandated joint-liability remedyמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; the surviving ox is liquidated so its value can be split — a shared-risk solution where fault is not established.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking הַשּׁוֹר הַחַי)
הַשּׁ֤וֹרthe oxart + N m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Direct object of וּמָכְרוּשׁוֹר (H7794).
הַחַי֙the livingart + adj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive adjective modifying הַשּׁוֹרחַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; the surviving ox, contrasted with הַמֵּת below.
וְחָצ֣וּand they shall divideconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · חָצָה (H2673)Predicate verb of the apodosis, second clause→ Weqatal: prescriptive — continuing the equal-split remedyחָצָה (H2673) 'to divide in half'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking כַּסְפּוֹ)
כַּסְפּ֔וֹits price / moneyN m sg constr/Sp3ms · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object of וְחָצוּכֶּסֶף (H3701); the proceeds from selling the surviving ox.
וְגַ֥םand alsoconj וְ + adverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial conjunction introducing the parallel disposition of the carcassגַּם (H1571) 'also'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking הַמֵּת)
הַמֵּ֖תthe dead (animal)art + Qal ptc ms abs · מוּת (H4191)Direct object of יֶחֱצוּן (fronted for emphasis)→ Participle: substantival — the carcass as a class/itemמוּת (H4191) Qal participle 'the dead (one)'; the carcass is likewise split between the two owners.
יֶֽחֱצֽוּןthey shall divideQal impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · חָצָה (H2673)Predicate verb of the apodosis, closing clause→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the equal-share remedy for the carcass, paragogic nun lending solemnityחָצָה (H2673); the paragogic nun echoes the emphatic form of יְרִיבֻן in v. 18, framing this as the formal closing ruling of the ox-versus-ox case (the no-fault default of v. 35, contrasted with the known-danger rule of v. 36).
36

א֣וֹ נוֹדַ֗ע כִּ֠י שׁ֣וֹר נַגָּ֥ח הוּא֙ מִתְּמ֣וֹל שִׁלְשֹׁ֔ם וְלֹ֥א יִשְׁמְרֶ֖נּוּ בְּעָלָ֑יו שַׁלֵּ֨ם יְשַׁלֵּ֥ם שׁוֹר֙ תַּ֣חַת הַשּׁ֔וֹר וְהַמֵּ֖ת יִֽהְיֶה לּֽוֹ

Or if it is known that the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall be his.

Contrasting sub-case: a known dangerous ox makes its (negligent) owner fully liable, unlike the no-fault split of v. 35אוֹ
Closes the ox-versus-ox unit and the chapter's animal-liability material: prior knowledge of danger (as in v. 29) shifts the case from equal loss-sharing to full restitution by the negligent owner, who nonetheless keeps his own dead animal after paying in full.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction introducing the contrasting sub-case: a known dangerous oxאוֹ (H176).
נוֹדַ֗עit is knownNiphal perf 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb of protasis→ Perfective (Niphal, passive): a settled, established state of prior knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) Niphal 'to be known, made known'; establishes that the owner's foreknowledge (as in v. 29) is again the operative legal fact.
כִּ֠יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the content clause of נוֹדַעכִּי (H3588).
שׁ֣וֹרan oxN m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subject of the nominal clause within the content clauseשׁוֹר (H7794).
נַגָּ֥חhabitually goringadj m sg abs · נַגָּח (H5056)Predicate adjectiveנַגָּח (H5056); the same term as v. 29, applied here to ox-on-ox goring.
הוּא֙it (is)independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula of the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931), copular.
מִתְּמ֣וֹלfrom beforeprep מִן + adverb · תְּמוֹל (H8543)Adverbial prepositional phrase of timeתְּמוֹל (H8543).
שִׁלְשֹׁ֔םand previouslyadverb · שִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032)Adverbial phrase continuing the idiom of timeשִׁלְשׁוֹם (H8032); fixed idiom as in v. 29.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִשְׁמְרֶנּוּלֹא (H3808).
יִשְׁמְרֶ֖נּוּhe kept it inQal impf 3ms/Sp3ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb continuing the protasis (negated)→ Yiqtol: conditional — the owner's negligence after knowledge, as in v. 29שָׁמַר (H8104); negated, the same negligence-marker as v. 29.
בְּעָלָ֑יוits ownerN m pl constr/Sp3ms · בַּעַל (H1167)Subject of יִשְׁמְרֶנּוּבַּעַל (H1167).
שַׁלֵּ֨םsurelyPiel inf abs · שָׁלַם (H7999)Infinitive absolute intensifying יְשַׁלֵּם→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic, certain restitutionשָׁלַם (H7999) 'to make whole, repay'; doubled construction (שַׁלֵּם יְשַׁלֵּם) marking mandatory full restitution, in contrast to the shared loss of v. 35's no-fault case.
יְשַׁלֵּ֥םhe shall payPiel impf 3ms · שָׁלַם (H7999)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — full restitution owed by the negligent ownerשָׁלַם (H7999).
שׁוֹר֙an oxN m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Direct object of יְשַׁלֵּם (adverbial accusative of equivalence)שׁוֹר (H7794); a live replacement ox owed in full, unlike the 50/50 split of v. 35.
תַּ֣חַתin place ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of equivalenceתַּחַת (H8478); the same equivalence particle as the lex talionis, now governing property restitution.
הַשּׁ֔וֹרthe oxart + N m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Object of preposition תַּחַתשׁוֹר (H7794), the ox that was killed.
וְהַמֵּ֖תand the dead (animal)conj וְ + art + Qal ptc ms abs · מוּת (H4191)Subject of יִהְיֶה→ Participle: substantival — the carcassמוּת (H4191) Qal participle, substantival, 'the dead one'.
יִֽהְיֶהshall be / belongQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the apodosis, final clause→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — disposition of the carcassהָיָה (H1961); the negligent owner keeps the carcass of his own dead ox after paying full restitution, closing the ox-versus-ox unit (vv. 35-36) on a fault-based note contrasted with v. 35's no-fault split.
לּֽוֹto / for himprep לְ/Sp3msPredicate complement (possession) of יִהְיֶה
37

כִּ֤י יִגְנֹֽב אִישׁ֙ שׁ֣וֹר אוֹ שֶׂ֔ה וּטְבָח֖וֹ א֣וֹ מְכָר֑וֹ חֲמִשָּׁ֣ה בָקָ֗ר יְשַׁלֵּם֙ תַּ֣חַת הַשּׁ֔וֹר וְאַרְבַּע צֹ֖אן תַּ֥חַת הַשֶּֽׂה

If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox, and four sheep for the sheep.

Opens the theft-restitution unit (continuing in 22:1-4): multiplied restitution scaled to the animal's value and the thief's disposal of itכִּי
The chapter's final case law opens a new unit that continues directly into 22:1-4's fuller theft rulings; the steep multiplier (5:1 for an ox, 4:1 for a sheep) likely reflects the ox's greater working value and applies only once the thief has irreversibly disposed of the animal.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
כִּ֤יifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional particle opening the theft-restitution unit (continuing into ch. 22)כִּי (H3588).
יִגְנֹֽבstealsQal impf 3ms · גָּנַב (H1589)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic caseגָּנַב (H1589) 'to steal'; the same verb as the kidnapping law of v. 16, now of livestock theft.
אִישׁ֙a manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִגְנֹבאִישׁ (H376).
שׁ֣וֹרan oxN m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Direct object of יִגְנֹב (first disjunct)שׁוֹר (H7794).
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
שֶׂ֔הa sheep / lambN c sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Direct object, second disjunctשֶׂה (H7716) 'sheep, lamb, one of a flock'.
וּטְבָח֖וֹand slaughters itconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms/Sp3ms · טָבַח (H2873)Predicate verb continuing the protasis→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional scenario — one aggravating disposition of the stolen animalטָבַח (H2873) 'to slaughter'; disposing of the animal, precluding its restoration in kind.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction
מְכָר֑וֹor sells itQal perf 3ms/Sp3ms · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb, alternative continuing the protasis→ Perfective: an alternative completed dispositionמָכַר (H4376); the second way the thief places the animal beyond simple return, triggering the multiplied penalty.
חֲמִשָּׁ֣הfivenumeral f · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral modifying בָקָרחָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; the steep multiplier for a stolen-and-disposed-of ox, likely reflecting the ox's higher value/utility as a plow animal.
בָקָ֗רcattle / oxenN c sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Direct object of יְשַׁלֵּם, head of the quantity phraseבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, oxen' (collective).
יְשַׁלֵּם֙he shall payPiel impf 3ms · שָׁלַם (H7999)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main ruling)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the mandated multiplied restitutionשָׁלַם (H7999) 'to make whole, repay'; the multiplied-restitution principle that opens the fuller theft law continuing in 22:1-4.
תַּ֣חַתforprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of equivalenceתַּחַת (H8478).
הַשּׁ֔וֹרthe oxart + N m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Object of preposition תַּחַתשׁוֹר (H7794), the animal originally stolen.
וְאַרְבַּעand fourconj וְ + numeral f · אַרְבַּע (H702)Numeral modifying צֹאן, coordinate with the preceding clauseאַרְבַּע (H702) 'four'; the lower multiplier for a sheep, reflecting its lesser value relative to an ox.
צֹ֖אןsheep / flock animalsN c sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Direct object (elliptical יְשַׁלֵּם carried over)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock' (sheep and goats collectively).
תַּ֥חַתforprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase of equivalenceתַּחַת (H8478).
הַשֶּֽׂהthe sheepart + N c sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Object of preposition תַּחַתשֶׂה (H7716), the animal originally stolen; closes the chapter on the opening formula of the theft-restitution laws that continue directly into 22:1ff.