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| | == Other Passages == | | == Other Passages == |
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| − | Ending a pregnancy prematurely is mentioned in Exodus 21:22-25. Some pro-abortion advocates cite these verses in support of their position, saying they impose a fine to be determined by the husband for a miscarriage caused by striking a pregnant woman, much lighter a punishment than that proscribed for the murder of another human being (as in Exodus 21:12): | + | Ending a pregnancy ''accidentally and prematurely'' is mentioned in Exodus 21:22-23. Some pro-abortion advocates claim that a reduced fine for this type of termination of pregnancy someone justifies abortion, because the penalty of a fine (of unlimited amount) is presumably lighter than the penalty for the murder of another human being (as in Exodus 21:12). Here is Exodus 21:22 ([[NASB]]): |
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| − | :And if men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she has a miscarriage, yet there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him; and he shall pay as the judges decide. But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.<ref>[[New American Standard Version]]</ref> | + | :If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide. But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, .... |
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| − | However, pro-life Christians point out that the word "miscarriage" is not in the original text; it could also refer to a premature live birth. For example, the [[King James Version]] translates the verse, "If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow..." It has been argued that the "further injury" or "mischief" actually refers to any injury to the child. Other conservatives point out that this punishment is proscribed for ''accidentally'' causing a miscarriage; deliberately performing an abortion would be even more abhorrent to God.<ref>[http://www.abortion-and-bible.com/ C. Ratt, A Christian View of Abortion]</ref>
| + | Pro-life Christians point out that premature live birth does not mean death of the child. The [[King James Version]] (which preceded the abortion debate) translates the verse more clearly to contemplate live birth: "If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow ...." It has been pointed out that the "further injury" or "mischief" actually refers to any injury to the child. Note also that the proscribed punishment is for ''accidentally'' causing a miscarriage; deliberately performing an abortion would be even more abhorrent to God.<ref>[http://www.abortion-and-bible.com/ C. Ratt, A Christian View of Abortion]</ref> |
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| | Numbers 5, where the Lord appears to give a curse that causes abortions in unfaithful wives. According to this passage, the Lord instructed Moses that a husband who suspected his wife of sleeping with another man could take her to the priest for a test that would either confirm or deny his suspicions. The test involved his wife drinking a cup of "bitter water," which consisted of holy water mixed with the dust of the tabernacle floor. If the woman were innocent, then no harm would come to her by drinking it. But if she were guilty, then she would be cursed with "bitter suffering;" namely, "she will have barrenness and a miscarrying womb." | | Numbers 5, where the Lord appears to give a curse that causes abortions in unfaithful wives. According to this passage, the Lord instructed Moses that a husband who suspected his wife of sleeping with another man could take her to the priest for a test that would either confirm or deny his suspicions. The test involved his wife drinking a cup of "bitter water," which consisted of holy water mixed with the dust of the tabernacle floor. If the woman were innocent, then no harm would come to her by drinking it. But if she were guilty, then she would be cursed with "bitter suffering;" namely, "she will have barrenness and a miscarrying womb." |