Exodus 21:16

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

Exodus 21:16 (KJV)

Context

This law belongs to the Book of the Covenant, the collection of rules God gave Israel after bringing them out of Egypt. The people had themselves suffered slavery, so these commands protected the weak and upheld justice within the community. The law appears among other rules about violence and personal injury, showing that God treats the harm of persons with the utmost seriousness.

Meaning

The verse condemns man-stealing, which means seizing a person and selling him, or holding someone who has been stolen. The Hebrew word for “steal” here applies to people, not property. The punishment is death, whether the offender sold the victim or was found with him. Such severity shows that human beings are not goods to be traded. The law covers any person, not only Israelites, and the death penalty reflects the high value God places on human life and freedom.

Biblical connections

This command rests on the truth that every person bears God’s image, as Genesis 9:6 teaches. Because human life is sacred, stealing a person attacks that dignity. The New Testament also lists “menstealers” among grave sinners in 1 Timothy 1:9-10, showing that this crime remains serious. The law’s placement beside rules about violence and injury confirms that God values life highly. The principle also points to the New Testament teaching that all people are equal in Christ, as Galatians 3:28 affirms.

Application

Although the death penalty is not carried out today, the principle stands. Human trafficking and modern slavery still oppress millions. This verse calls believers to respect every person’s freedom and to work against exploitation. It also urges care for the vulnerable, just as God cared for Israel when they were slaves in Egypt. Christians today can support efforts to rescue victims and to oppose every form of forced labor and sale of persons.

Reflection

God’s law reveals His heart for justice and human worth. Because all people are made in God’s image, no one may be treated as property. This verse challenges readers to examine how they view and treat others, and to stand against any practice that diminishes human dignity. It also reminds us that God hears the cries of the oppressed and calls His people to act with compassion and righteousness.