Interpreting Scripture: A Closer Look at Exodus 21:22-25 and Numbers 5:19-22
As we navigate the complexities of Scripture, it’s essential to approach each passage with care and consideration. Two passages that have sparked debate and discussion are Exodus 21:22-25 and Numbers 5:19-22. In this article, we’ll delve into the nuances of these passages and explore their implications.
Exodus 21:22-25: A Case Study in Interpretation
This passage presents a scenario where two men fighting accidentally injure a pregnant woman, causing her to give birth prematurely. The question arises: what happens if the unborn child is harmed or killed in the process? Abortion-choice advocates argue that this passage proves the unborn are not fully human, as the penalty for accidentally killing a fetus is less than that for killing its mother.
However, this interpretation is flawed on several counts. Firstly, assuming the pro-abortion interpretation is correct, it doesn’t follow that the unborn are not fully human. The preceding verses (Ex. 21:20-21) present a situation where a master unintentionally kills his slave and escapes with no penalty; yet, it hardly follows that Scripture considers the slave less than human.
Secondly, this passage does not remotely suggest that a woman can willfully kill her unborn child through elective abortion. Nothing in the context supports this claim. At best, the text assigns a lesser penalty for accidentally killing a fetus than for accidentally killing its mother.
Thirdly, the pro-abortion interpretation of this passage is highly suspect. When read in the original Hebrew, the passage seems to convey that both the mother and the child are covered by lex talionis, the law of retribution. According to Hebrew scholar Gleason Archer, “There is no second-class status attached to the fetus under this rule. The fetus is just as valuable as the mother.”
Numbers 5:19-22: A Ritual of Purification
In this passage, a husband suspects his wife of adultery but cannot prove it. He takes her to a priest, who performs a ritual designed to prove her guilt or innocence. The ritual involves a grain offering during which the wife is put under oath. If she is innocent, nothing will happen. But if she is guilty, the priest tells her, “May the Lord cause you to become a curse among your people when he makes your womb miscarry and your abdomen swell.”
Abortion-choice advocates often cite this passage to prove that planned abortion is affirmed in the Mosaic law and that the unborn are not human. However, this interpretation is also flawed. Firstly, the passage is dealing with infidelity, not planned abortion. Secondly, the translations of the passage that include the word “miscarriage” are suspect. Most translations say nothing of miscarriage, only disfigurement of the wife’s body.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the interpretations of Exodus 21:22-25 and Numbers 5:19-22 that support abortion-choice are flawed. These passages do not provide a theological justification for elective abortion. Instead, they highlight the importance of considering the context and nuances of Scripture when interpreting its teachings.
As we navigate the complexities of Scripture, it’s essential to approach each passage with care and consideration. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of God’s word and its implications for our lives.
Recommended Reading
- The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture by Scott Klusendorf
- What Is the Mark of the Beast? (Revelation 13) by Thomas R. Schreiner
- What Does It Mean That Women Should “Remain Quiet” in Church? (1 Timothy 2) by Denny Burk
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