Exodus 21:16

New English Translation

¹⁶“Whoever kidnaps someone^[a] and sells him,^[b] or is caught still holding him,^[c] must surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:16 tn Heb “a stealer of a man,” thus “anyone stealing a man.”
Exodus 21:16 sn The implication is that it would be an Israelite citizen who was kidnapped and sold to a foreign tribe or country (like Joseph). There was always a market for slaves. The crime would be in forcibly taking the individual away from his home and religion and putting him into bondage or death.
Exodus 21:16 tn Literally “and he is found in his hand” (KJV and ASV both similar), being not yet sold.

New English Translation (NET)