top of page
ExPounder
Exodus 21:22-25 “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, 24 eyes for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burns for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."
This verse does not mention abortion but lays down the laws of retribution.
Verses 22-23: 1st punishment according to the first act against pregnant women.
Verses 24-25: 2nd punishment according to the second act against pregnant women.
The verse again mentions nothing about abortion or a miscarriage. But instead, we have the baby being born "prematurely." This means the baby was born earlier and before the 37th week in today's modern world.
This verse is not talking about when it's ok to have an abortion. This verse speaks on behalf of the child in the womb, and it's clear that the child in the womb is treated as though outside the womb. This verse is the most pro-mother and pro-life verse in that it shows how we should handle situations where the mother is abused and what should happen if the baby is harmed, and even if the baby isn't harmed, there is still justice that takes place.
In today's culture, abuse would justify the killing of the child in the womb. In America, we encourage the mother to murder the child because he may not be normal. We encourage women to have an abortion if she wants to pursue a degree. Society under the law of Moses and the rulership of God was more pro-mother and pro-baby than society in the modern world today.
This assumption we see in scripture that the baby was delivered prematurely also means that the child in the womb also has the same rights and protection as a born child would have. We can also see throughout scripture that a baby in the womb is acknowledged as being wonderfully made and sacred.
Psalm 139:13 "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb."
Psalm 139:16 "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book, they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them."
Psalm 113:9 "He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord"
Proverbs 23:24 "The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him."
Luke 18:16-17 "But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
The Law of Moses gave equal protection for an unborn child and protection for the mother. The murder of the child in the womb was a crime, and the punishment was the same as if someone was murdered. In Genesis 9:6, we read, "Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man."
So when we look and rightfully divide the scriptures, we can understand that if the child lives, the child's father and priests would decide the punishment that was just and right to give to the abuser. If the child died, The abuser was put to death. Anything that makes human life less than what it is, God has something to say about that topic. That even though sin has corrupted mankind, His love has not changed, and he desires to be with us and to save us from our sin too. Even if you have had an abortion due to selfish needs or forced, you can still find love and forgiveness in Christ.
bottom of page