Biblical Hebrew Forum

[<RHutchin AT aol.com>]

We have--

Exod. 21
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 surely punished, according as the
woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 

What does the Hebrew text that is translated as -- depart from her -- actually
mean?  Does the phrase -- depart from her -- specifically and only refer to a
miscarriage as some say it does?  Or does the Hebrew text allow that a blow to
the woman initiates labor and the premature birth of the child which may
result in the death of the child, but does not have to.  

Roger Hutchinson
RHutchin AT AOL.com