Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 21:20

20 And if a man smite his servant or his maid, with a rod , and he die under his hand , he shall be surely punished :

Namely a stranger: for an Israelite was to be better used: See Lev. 25. 39, 40. &c.

A fit and usual instrument for correction whereby it is implyed, that if he kill'd him with a sword or any such weapon, he was to die for it.

(i. e.) Whilest the master is correcting him.

Not with death, for then it would have been said so, as it is before and after, but as the Magistrate or Judge shall think fit, according to the diversity of circumstances; and therefore no particular punishment is set down.

Marginal references: Heb. avenged.