Actually, the woman has already been hurt, as the passage says directly, so the "mischief" that follows cannot be injury to her. So what's the mischief, then? Seems to me that it's only applicable to the baby. So with that in mind, "yet no mischief follow" must mean that the baby survives ok, but the perpetrator still must pay a fine for causing the trauma in the first place.
"Life for life" etc then must mean that the perpetrator pays for the baby's life with his own, or whatever injury the baby suffers as a result of the traumatic birth.
Exodus 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. Exodus 21:23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Exodus 21:24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Exodus 21:25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
I tip my hat to you. I believe you have the right of it.
A very impressive analysis of the passage. Thank you.
I have wondered at the term "yet no mischief follow".
Your explination makes a lot of sense.
I meant to add that you can find another analysis of this passage here ;
http://www.errantskeptics.org/Exodus_21_22.htm