One of the most ignored verses in the Bible deals with the death of an unborn child. There is no doubt that pro lifers quote many others, including one in Psalms by King David and how God knew him in his mother's womb.
However, in Exodus 21:22-23(KJV) another picture is painted under Old Testament Law.
If men strive (quarrel, fight) and hurt (hit) a woman with child, so that her fruit (child) depart (to go out) from her, and yet no mischief (injury) follow: he shall be surely punished (to be avenged), according as the woman's husband will lay (to set) upon him; and he shall pay(to give) as the judges determine.
And if any mischief (injury) follow, then thou shalt give life (breath) for life (breath).
Now, everyone agrees the penalty for murder in those days was death by stoning. Yet note something interesting here. It says 'if her fruit depart from her' meaning, the baby dies, then the offender(s) pays a price as the husband and the judges decide. But if the woman herself dies from whatever injury she incurs, then the offenders are killed themselves. They are not killed for the death of the unborn child, therefore, under Old Testament Law, it was not murder.
Hmmm.... that's not how I understand that scripture. If her fruit go out of her - therefore, if he causes her to go into labor - premature or otherwise - and there's no mischief, the child lives. Then he's to recieve the punishment the husband dictates. But if when her fruit goes out of her it dies - the mischief, meaning the death of the child, that dictates that the man must die.
ReplyDeleteThat's my understanding of it....