THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT (EXODUS 20:1 TO EXODUS 23:33). In Exodus 24:7 we read of a ‘book of the covenant' written by Moses (see Exodus 24:4). Logically this must include the Sinai covenant and what follows, for the Sinai covenant was not made known to the people (they heard it as though it were thu... [ Continue Reading ]
FURTHER COVENANT PROVISIONS (EXODUS 21:1 TO EXODUS 23:33). Exodus 21:1 “Now these are the judgments that you will set before them.” Having made known His covenant, and having established how they must approach Him, Yahweh now provides detailed treatment on particular cases. These are mainly in th... [ Continue Reading ]
EXPANSION OF THE TEN WORDS OF THE COVENANT (EXODUS 20:22 TO EXODUS 23:33). In this section, which is composed of elements put together mainly in chiastic form (see later), Yahweh expands on the Ten Words of the covenant. Notice that it begins with ‘and Yahweh said to Moses'. This proceeds as follow... [ Continue Reading ]
REGULATIONS WITH REGARD TO SLAVES AND VIOLENCE TO FELLOWMEN (EXODUS 21:2). It is always difficult to appreciate the ancient mind and its working, but there is a case here for seeing a chiastic pattern in Exodus 21:2, especially in the light of clearer examples elsewhere. We may analyse it as follow... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVISION IN RESPECT OF A WOMAN SOLD TO BE A SLAVE WIFE. The remaining provisions protected a woman sold to be a slave wife permanently and were necessary for her. It meant that she could not be discarded when older. It will be noted that this system allowed a form of divorce. It was not really God... [ Continue Reading ]
REGULATIONS IN RESPECT OF EXTREME VIOLENCE TO ANOTHER (EXODUS 21:12). The following regulations all deal with extreme violence towards others. This came first in matters to do with behaviour towards each other. We may analyse this passage as follows: a Manslayers to die but a way of escape if inn... [ Continue Reading ]
REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE CAUSING OF INJURY (EXODUS 21:22). This may be analysed as follows: a Where a pregnant woman loses her child in a fight but the woman is not brought close to death (no mischief follows) then the man will be fined as determined by the court. b If the woman is badly hurt o... [ Continue Reading ]
REGULATIONS FOR INJURIES IN CONNECTION WITH BEASTS (EXODUS 21:28). In this section there is a very basic chiasmus: a Punishment for the goring of a man or woman (Exodus 21:28). b Punishment in respect of a beast falling into an open pit (Exodus 28:33). a Punishment for the goring of a beast (Exo... [ Continue Reading ]