Section Four

Protection of Pregnant

Women

Exodus contains a set of rules that Moses is instructed to pass on, with blocks of laws concerning different subjects. In a block of laws about injuries, there are a couple of verses that are designed to establish a penalty for violence against pregnant women. The law states two different penalties for someone if they are fighting and hit a woman who is pregnant and who then gives birth prematurely. These penalties are: 1. If the violence results in no serious injury, then the penalty is a fine. The amount of the fine is decided by the woman’s husband, as long as it is acceptable for the court. 2. If the violence does result in serious injury, then the penalty is an equal retribution - life for life, eye for eye, burn for burn etc.