Exodus 21:16 “Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him…”

Exodus 21:16

Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

World English Bible

“Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

American Standard Version

And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

Geneva Bible 1599

And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, if it be founde with him, shall die the death.

Darby Translation

And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall certainly be put to death.

Young's Literal Translation

'And he who stealeth a man, and hath sold him, and he hath been found in his hand, is certainly put to death.

Bible in Basic English

Any man who gets another into his power in order to get a price for him is to be put to death, if you take him in the act.

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Cross references

“stealeth”

Deuteronomy 24:7 1 Timothy 1:10 Genesis 40:15 Revelation 18:12

Deuteronomy 24:7 · BSB

If a man is caught kidnapping one of his Israelite brothers, whether he treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. So you must purge the evil from among you.

1 Timothy 1:10 · BSB

for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

Genesis 40:15 · BSB

For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing for which they should have put me in this dungeon.”

Revelation 18:12 · BSB

cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble;

“selleth him”

Genesis 37:28

Genesis 37:28 · BSB

So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

“found in”

Exodus 22:4

Exodus 22:4 · BSB

If what was stolen is actually found alive in his possession—whether ox or donkey or sheep—he must pay back double.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15Whoever strikes his father or mother must surely be put to death.

17Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.

Read Exodus 21