Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִמָּצֵ֣א
be found
H4672
יִמָּצֵ֣א
be found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אִ֗ישׁ
If a man
H376
אִ֗ישׁ
If a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
גֹּנֵ֨ב
stealing
H1589
גֹּנֵ֨ב
stealing
Strong's:
H1589
Word #:
4 of 17
to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive
נֶ֤פֶשׁ
any
H5315
נֶ֤פֶשׁ
any
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מֵֽאֶחָיו֙
of his brethren
H251
מֵֽאֶחָיו֙
of his brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
6 of 17
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
מִבְּנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְהִתְעַמֶּר
and maketh merchandise
H6014
וְהִתְעַמֶּר
and maketh merchandise
Strong's:
H6014
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, apparently to heap; figuratively, to chastise (as if piling blows); to gather grain
וּמְכָר֑וֹ
of him or selleth
H4376
וּמְכָר֑וֹ
of him or selleth
Strong's:
H4376
Word #:
11 of 17
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
וּמֵת֙
shall die
H4191
וּמֵת֙
shall die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
12 of 17
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
14 of 17
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Historical Context
Joseph's brothers committed this crime when they sold him into Egyptian slavery (Genesis 37:28). Though God providentially used this evil for good, the act itself merited death under God's law.
Ancient Near Eastern slave trade was extensive. This law prohibited Israelites from participating in kidnapping and trafficking fellow covenant members.
Questions for Reflection
- What does capital punishment for kidnapping teach about the value of human freedom?
- How does treating people as commodities violate human dignity and created nature?
- Why is person-theft more serious than property theft?
- What does 'put evil away' teach about purging severe wickedness from community?
- How should this law inform Christian response to contemporary human trafficking?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you. Kidnapping and human trafficking merit capital punishment - stealing persons is far more serious than stealing property. Human beings created in God's image possess inherent dignity that their commodification violates.
The phrase maketh merchandise of him condemns treating people as tradable goods. Humans are not commodities to be bought and sold but image-bearers deserving respect and freedom. Reducing persons to economic assets fundamentally violates their created nature.
The death penalty for kidnappers demonstrates the severity of this crime. While property theft merits restitution, person-theft merits death. God values human freedom and dignity supremely.
The command put evil away from among you requires capital punishment not merely for retribution but for purging wickedness from the community. Some evils are so severe they must be eliminated to preserve covenant holiness.