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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

This law was part of the civil and ceremonial code given to Israel as they formed a nation after leaving Egypt. In the ancient Near East, family structure and parental authority were foundational to society's stability. The severe penalty reflects how crucial respect for parents was considered for maintaining social order in a culture where family units were the basic building blocks of society.

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