The first string of laws in this chapter are linked to slaves and their owners. Hebrew slaves were to serve 6 years and then be freed, but if the slave wanted to stay he would have his ear pierced (piercing is not so modern!) and remain for life. If a Hebrew bought a female slave as a wife, but was not happy with her, he could allow her to be redeemed but not by a foreigner. However if he bought the female slave for his son the owner was to treat her as his daughter. If a man married a slave and then married another wife he could not illtreat the slave. If he did illtreat her she should be freed. Then comes a string of laws regarding violence and abuse. He who kills or kidnaps should be killed, as should be he who attacks or curses his parents. If men fight they should compensate with proportionate payments according to injuries. Slave owners will be punished if they beat their slave unless the slave can get up after a day of two! If a pregnant woman is caused to miscarry owing to violence the man will be fined but if serious injury is caused he must be punished proportionately. If a slave owner destroys a slave's eye or tooth the owner must compensate with freedom. Finally comes a list of laws linked to animals. If a bull kills someone then it must be stoned to death, but if the bull was in the habit of attacking people then the owner should be put to death too. If a man dug a pit but failed to cover it and an animal fell into it then he would have to compensate the loss. If a bull killed another bull then the live bull should be sold and the money be split equally between the 2 owners.
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