And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.
Anyone who kidnaps a person and sells them as a slave, or is caught holding them captive, must be put to death.
This verse declares that kidnapping people to sell them into slavery is such a serious crime that it deserves the death penalty.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of the laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai, which formed the foundation of Israelite society after their escape from slavery in Egypt. In the ancient Near East, kidnapping and selling people into slavery were common practices that disrupted families and communities, so this law aimed to protect individuals from such exploitation and affirm the inherent value God places on human life. The death penalty reflects the severe moral and social consequences of treating people as property in a culture where personal rights were often overlooked.
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