21:16 “Whoever kidnaps someone 1 and sells him, 2 or is caught still holding him, 3 must surely be put to death.
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.