Breadcrumb: The nitty-gritty

The ten commandments have their place. They are the fundamental principles upon which the rest of the laws rest. However, no nation is ruled by only ten laws. Ex. 21 begins the long recitation of the Israelite laws, dealing with matters both large and petty. Ex. 21 discusses keeping servants (verses 2-11), murder (12-14), theft (16), assault (18-27), and injuries caused by oxen (28-36), as well as a few other scattered laws. In each case, the laws are specific and detailed. These laws are a far cry from the generalities of the ten commandments.