Exodus 21:16

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

"Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death.

"He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.

"Kidnappers must be killed, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves.

"If someone kidnaps a person, the penalty is death, regardless of whether the person has been sold or is still held in possession.

Any man who gets another into his power in order to get a price for him is to be put to death, if you take him in the act.

Whoever kidnaps a person, whether that person has been sold or is still held in possession, shall be put to death.

"He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

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

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.