21 Notwithstanding, if he gets up after a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his property.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
If the slave who had been beaten by his master died under his hand, the master was punished with death - see Genesis 9:5, Genesis 9:6. But if he survived the beating a day or two the master was not punished, because it might be presumed that the man died through some other cause. And all penal laws should be construed as favourably as possible to the accused.
Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not (p) be punished: for he [is] his money.
(p) By the civil magistrate, but before God he is a murderer.
Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two,.... And does not die immediately, or the same day, but lives twenty four hours, as the Jewish writers interpret it; so Abendana (x) explains the phrase, "a day or two";"a day which is as two days, and they are twenty four hours from time to time,''that is, from the time he was smitten to the time of his continuance; and so it is elsewhere explained (y) by a day we understand a day, which is like two days, that is, from time to time, the meaning of which is, from a certain time in one day to the same in another:
he shall not be punished; that is, with death:
for he is his money; is bought with his money, and is good as money, and therefore it is a loss sufficient to him to lose him; and it may be reasonably thought he did not smite his servant with an intention to kill him, since he himself is the loser by it.
(x) Not. in Miclol Yophi in loc. (y) Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Zabim, c. 2. sect. 3.
*More commentary available at chapter level.