← Back to Search

Exodus 21:17

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

Anyone who curses their father or mother must be put to death.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse establishes that showing extreme disrespect to parents through cursing was considered a capital offense in ancient Israel's legal system.

📚 Historical Context

In the historical context of ancient Israel, this verse is part of the Mosaic Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai as guidelines for a just society among the Israelites. It emphasized the sacredness of family and parental authority, which were essential for maintaining social order in a nomadic and later settled community. This law reflected the cultural norms of the ancient Near East, where disrespect toward parents was viewed as a severe disruption to family and community stability.

Ask the AI Assistant

Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.

Share or Save