From: rescorla@rtnmr.chem.yale.edu (Eric Rescorla)
Subject: Re: Fetus as viewed by the bible
Organization: Rescorla for himself.
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 23:34:15 GMT

In article <root.726877781@spssig> adams@spss.com (Steve Adams) writes:
>rj24@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Robert  Johnston) writes:
>>I know that somewhere in the old testament there is a passage that says
>>if a man strikes a pregnant woman, resulting in a miscarriage, that the
>>penalty for the man is to be a monetary fine. This would indicate that
>>the bible does not view the fetus as a person. I would like to be able to 
>>quote this passage to the pro-life fundies, so any information on where 
>>it could be found would be appreciated.
>Here's something I worked up about those passages:
>
>=================
>Here are the abbreviations used for Biblical citations:
>
>   NIV  - New International Version, (International Bible Society), Zondervan
>   KJV  - King James Version, Oxford Press
>   NRSV - New Revised Standard Version, Oxford University Press
>   NASB - New American Standard Bible, (Ryrie Study Bible), Moody Press
>
>If citations are presented from other versions, I will happily include
>them.  Please provide the name of the publisher and the version.
>=================
>Here's some more information on Bible Citations...
>
>Text Notes are commentary on alternate translations, differing authorities
>or unclear verses.  They represent scholarly opinion of alternate readings.
>
>Study Notes are the opinion of the author as to the meaning, message,
>symbolism and application of the verses.  They are certainly colored by
>the authors own biases.
>
>====
>Exodus 21 - Fighting men cause a miscarriage
>
>   "(22)If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit
>    depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be punished, 
>    according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay 
>    as the judges determine.  (23) And if any mischief follow, then thou 
>    shalt give life for life." [KJV]
>
>  "(22)When people who are fighting injure a pregnant woman so that there
>   is a miscarriage, and yet no further harm follows, the one responsible
>   shall be fined what the woman's husband demands, paying as much as the
>   judges determine.  (23)If any harm follows, then you shall give life
>   for life." [NRSV]
>
>  "(22)If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she give birth
>   prematurely* but there is no serious injury, the offender must be
>   fined whatever the woman's husband demands and the court allows.
>   (23)But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life" [NIV]
>
>   NIV Translation Note:* Or {she has a miscarriage}
>
>  "(22)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.  (23)But if there is any further injury, then
>   you shall appoint as a penalty life for life." [NASB]
>
>   NASB Translation Note: * Better {her fruit comes out}
>
>It is fairly clear that if a miscarriage is caused by accident, there is
>no life for life penalty applied.  Thus, these verses cannot be used in
>support of an anti-abortion position.  It is only if harm other than 
>miscarriage is caused that equal damage is inflicted.
The problem here, as I noted earlier, is that the English
word "miscarriage" is more specific than the Hebrew text, which
merely says that her children "come out." Since we don't know
whether or not the fetus is born dead, this text is useless
in support of either position.

Wrt Numbers 5.
>It seems clear that at least in this situation, God not only permits, 
>but directly causes a miscarriage.  These verses describe an induced 
>miscarriage.  There is not escaping this.
I will note merely that I think this is completely wrong. The
verses may or may not describe an induced miscarriage. I do not
believe it is anywhere near as definitive as Mr. Adams claims.
I am aware that many scholars read the text in that way. I do not.
Each is, of course, free to read it as he sees fit.

>Note well that in addition to a miscarriage, the woman will no longer
>be able to conceive...
I agree that the woman will be no longer able to conceive. What
I disagree with is the belief that a miscarriage is involved.
-Ekr

-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric Rescorla, DoD#431 (Nighthawk S)              rescorla@rtnmr.chem.yale.edu
Former chemist now CM400 mechanic                 ekr@eitech.com(preferred)
                        Don't believe anything you hear.