Exodus 21:19

walk abroad upon his staff a proof of convalescence. The -staff" (lit. something to lean upon) was used for help in walking (2 Kings 4:29, by Elisha): in Zechariah 8:4 a characteristic of old age.

be quit(lit. innocent)] If he died in his bed, the person who injured him might reasonably be held responsible for his death: if he died after the had taken his first walk, he might himself have met with some farther accident, or imprudently ventured out too soon.

only, &c. Though he is no longer in danger of suffering the capital penalty, he must still compensate his victim for his loss of time, and pay his doctor's bill. Cf. Ḥamm. 206; and Manu, viii. 287 (Cook, p. 254).

the loss of his time a necessary paraphrase of the Heb. shibtô, which may be derived from either yâshab, to -sit down," or shâbath, to -desist," -cease" (viz. from toil): hence the two margins.