Exodus 21:16

“Whoever kidnaps someone ¹  and sells him, ²  or is caught still holding him, ³  must surely be put to death.

Ge 37:28; Ge 40:15; Ex 22:4; De 24:7; 1Ti 1:10; Re 18:12

¹ tn Heb “a stealer of a man,” thus “anyone stealing a man.”

² sn The implication is that it would be an Israelite citizen who was kidnapped and sold to a foreign tribe or country (like Joseph). There was always a market for slaves. The crime would be in forcibly taking the individual away from his home and religion and putting him into bondage or death.

³ tn Literally “and he is found in his hand” (KJV and ASV both similar), being not yet sold.