Exodus 21:16

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

Deuteronomy 24:7

24:7 If a man is found kidnapping a person from among his fellow Israelites, and regards him as mere property and sells him, that kidnapper must die. In this way you will purge evil from among you.


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

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.

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

tn Heb “from his brothers, from the sons of Israel.” The terms “brothers” and “sons of Israel” are in apposition; the second defines the first more specifically.

tn Or “and enslaves him.”

tn Heb “that thief.”

tn Heb “burn.” See note on the word “purge” in Deut 19:19.