Text -- Exodus 21:16 (NET)

21:16 “Whoever kidnaps someone and sells him, or is caught still holding him, must surely be put to death.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Exo 21:16

¹ tn Heb “a stealer of a man,” thus “anyone stealing a man.”

² sn The implication is that it would be an Israelite citizen who was kidnapped and sold to a foreign tribe or country (like Joseph). There was always a market for slaves. The crime would be in forcibly taking the individual away from his home and religion and putting him into bondage or death.

³ tn Literally “and he is found in his hand” (KJV and ASV both similar), being not yet sold.