Featured Old Testament — okay to beat your slave as long as they don’t die in a day or two ? ! ?

[AgnosticBoy]

The modern person translating the ancient Hebrew may have thought it should go in a footnote because it's an implication of the Hebrew word .

The text simply says that the baby comes out (also refer to NASB footnote). As you said, the word "miscarriage" could be something implied, but the problem is that "miscarriage" is not the only possible outcome. The baby could come out early and still survive. That's why I think a more generic term like "premature" is better because it allows for any outcome.

But then, why put miscarriage or "untimely birth" in a footnote? ?? To me, that changes how we can view it. And probably should view it.

Saying "untimely" means things go badly for the baby.

Saying untimely or "premature" only means the baby came out before its due time. That again gets into my point that just because it's premature doesn't mean that it will die.

I guess this again boils down to who the text is referring to when it talks about injury. Is it the unborn baby? The woman? Or even both?

One view says it's not referring to the baby since "miscarriage" is placed together with "no serious injury". A baby's death would definitely be an injury to the baby so to not count that as "serious" disregards the baby.*
(*Although I believe it calls it a "not serious injury" because it refers to a pre-term baby that survived and not a "miscarriage")

Then we have a view like mine that says the passage is referring to the baby (although it could refer to the mother, as well - so both). It considers being premature as being "no serious injury" in one instance when the baby survives. There is injury nonetheless but nothing "serious" and no death. But then has another instance where there is "serious injury" which is when the unborn infant and/or mother is seriously hurt or dies even.

 

[Scooter]

As you said, the word "miscarriage" could be something implied, but the problem is that "miscarriage" is not the only possible outcome.

The word "miscarriage" is not used anywhere in the text. I'll be happy to post the verses in Hebrew so you can see for yourselves. This is the danger of using corrupt translations. Words and thoughts can be manipulated to express something that is not there. The best way to interpret the Scriptures is simply take it at face value and not to complicate it or try to twist it to meet personal beliefs.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

One view says it's not referring to the baby since "miscarriage" is placed together with "no serious injury"

Yes, it seems to be focusing on the mother.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 21 - Revised Standard Version

The Law concerning Slaves - “Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them. When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go...

www.biblegateway.com

22 ”When men strive together, and hurt a woman with child, so that there is a miscarriage, and yet no harm follows, the one who hurt her shall<b> be fined, according as the woman’s husband shall lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.”

<b> = Heb he shall

— Revised Standard Version

— — — — —

Miscarriage is harm to the baby. Give me a single place in writing, either Bible or elsewhere, in which it is not a harm. Maybe you can find one or two, but it is rare.

And therefore,

I conclude,

the "no harm" refers to the mother.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

And when the parents are celebrating a new pregnancy and getting ready for a new baby, a miscarriage is a tremendous blow. It's a tragedy.

All their hopes and dreams, for this particular baby.

— — —

Family and friends can help somewhat, by just being there in a non-demanding way.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Again, how often do two men fight and hurt a pregnant woman next to them ? ?

I think it's more likely the husband hit the wife and this is the cover-up.

And a scribe wanted to avoid completely exposing a chieftain, and so wrote the "rule" in this fashion.

— — —

Look, pregnant women are annoying. Pregnant women complain about all kinds of things— backaches, hemorrhoids, swollen ankles, and more.

Don't hit her.

But the husband should get some help for both the wife and the household. Maybe the wife's sister stopping in every afternoon? And the occasional evening, so that the husband gets the night off? Something like this.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 21 - King James Version

Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master...

www.biblegateway.com

22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

— King James Version

— — — — —

This is more vague. It can mean either a premature birth in which the baby's okay, or it can mean a miscarriage in which the baby is dead.

 

[Scooter]

Bible Gateway passage: Exodus 21 - King James Version

Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master...

www.biblegateway.com

22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

— King James Version

— — — — —

This is more vague. It can mean either a premature birth in which the baby's okay, or it can mean a miscarriage in which the baby is dead.

Which is why there are two different punishments given. One if the baby lives and one if the child dies. Again, there is nothing in the Hebrew that says “miscarriage”.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Which is why there are two different punishments given. One if the baby lives and one if the child dies.

This would makes sense certainly. But all the same, that's not what it says.

And the Revised Standard Version uses the word “miscarriage” right there in the text. And Revised Standard was the mainstream Protestant version when I was a teenager in the 1970s.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

@Scooter This might be an unfair ask, but what might be one or two non-literalist positions which you find most challenging?