Exodus 21:7
Exodus 21:7 in Multiple Translations
And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do.
¶ And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maid-servant, she shall not go out as the men-servants do.
And if a man gives his daughter for a price to be a servant, she is not to go away free as the men-servants do.
If a man sells his daughter as a slave, she is not to be freed in the same way as male slaves.
Likewise if a man sell his daughter to be a seruant, she shall not goe out as the men seruantes doe.
'And when a man selleth his daughter for a handmaid, she doth not go out according to the going out of the men-servants;
“If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do.
And if a man shall sell his daughter to be a maid-servant, she shall not depart as the men-servants do.
If any man sell his daughter to be a servant, she shall not go out as bondwomen are wont to go out.
If a man sells his daughter to become a slave, she should not be set free after six years, as the male slaves are.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 21:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 21:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/כִֽי
יִמְכֹּ֥ר
אִ֛ישׁ
אֶת
בִּתּ֖/וֹ
לְ/אָמָ֑ה
לֹ֥א
תֵצֵ֖א
כְּ/צֵ֥את
הָ/עֲבָדִֽים
וְ/כִֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj | Conj
יִמְכֹּ֥ר
mâkar
H4376
to sell
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בִּתּ֖/וֹ
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fs | Suff
לְ/אָמָ֑ה
ʼâmâh
H519
maidservant
Prep | N-fs
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תֵצֵ֖א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
כְּ/צֵ֥את
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
הָ/עֲבָדִֽים
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 21:7
וְ/כִֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj | Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יִמְכֹּ֥ר
mâkar
H4376
"to sell"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to sell something or someone, like a merchant selling goods or a father selling his daughter into marriage. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus. The word can also mean to surrender or give something up.
Definition: 1) to sell 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sell 1a2) seller (participle) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sold 1b2) to sell oneself 1b3) to be given over to death 1c) (Hithpael) to sell oneself
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self). See also: Genesis 25:31; Deuteronomy 32:30; Psalms 44:13.
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בִּתּ֖/וֹ
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
לְ/אָמָ֑ה
ʼâmâh
H519
"maidservant"
Prep | N-fs
A maidservant is a female slave or servant, like the ones mentioned in the stories of Abraham and Sarah in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) maid-servant, female slave, maid, handmaid, concubine 1a) of humility (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant). See also: Genesis 20:17; Judges 9:18; Psalms 86:16.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תֵצֵ֖א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
כְּ/צֵ֥את
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
הָ/עֲבָדִֽים
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
Study Notes — Exodus 21:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 21:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 21:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 21:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 21:7
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 21:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
- Sermons on Exodus 21:7
Context — Hebrew Servants
5But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children; I do not want to go free,’
6then his master is to bring him before the judges. And he shall take him to the door or doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he shall serve his master for life.
7And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do.
8If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her. 9And if he chooses her for his son, he must deal with her as with a daughter.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 5:5 | We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” |
| 2 | Exodus 21:2–3 | If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. |
Exodus 21:7 Summary
Exodus 21:7 is talking about a situation where a father sells his daughter as a servant, and it says she is not to go free like the male servants do. This doesn't mean that God is condoning the practice of selling children, but rather providing guidelines for how to treat them if they are already in a servitude situation, as seen in Exodus 21:8-9. We can learn from this verse that God cares about the vulnerable and wants us to treat them with kindness and respect, just like He does (as seen in Psalm 68:5-6 and Deuteronomy 10:18). By following God's guidelines for treating servants, we can demonstrate His love and care for all people, regardless of their social status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Exodus 21:7 seem to imply that a daughter sold as a servant is treated differently than a male servant?
According to Exodus 21:7, a daughter sold as a servant is not to go free as the menservants do, highlighting a distinction in their treatment, which may be related to their potential roles as wives or daughters in the household, as seen in Exodus 21:8-9.
Is selling a daughter as a servant condoned by God in this verse?
The Bible does not condone the practice of selling children, as seen in Exodus 21:16, which prohibits the kidnapping and selling of people, and Exodus 22:1-4, which provides guidelines for restitution in cases of theft, including the theft of people.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of servitude in the Bible?
The concept of servitude in the Bible is complex, with different types of servitude, such as voluntary servitude, as seen in Exodus 21:5-6, and involuntary servitude, as seen in Exodus 21:16, highlighting the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect, regardless of their social status, as emphasized in Galatians 3:28.
What can we learn about God's heart for the vulnerable from this verse?
This verse highlights God's concern for the vulnerable, including daughters sold as servants, and emphasizes the importance of treating them with kindness and respect, as seen in Exodus 22:22-24, which prohibits the mistreatment of widows and orphans, and Deuteronomy 10:18, which highlights God's love for the fatherless and the widow.
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the principle of treating all people with dignity and respect, regardless of their social status, in my own life?
- What can I learn about God's character from the way He provides guidelines for the treatment of servants in Exodus 21:7-11?
- How can I balance the cultural and historical context of this verse with its timeless principles and applications?
- In what ways can I demonstrate God's love and care for the vulnerable in my community, as reflected in Exodus 21:7-11?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 21:7
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant,.... That is, if an Israelite, as the Targum of Jonathan, sells his little daughter, as the same Targum, and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra, one that is
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 21:7
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. And if a man sell his daughter to be a maid-servant.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
A man, i.e. a Hebrew, as appears by the opposition of one of a strange nation, . For a man to sell his daughter to be a maid-servant was allowed in case of extreme necessity, because of the hardness of their hearts. She shall not go out as the men-servants do, but upon better terms, as being one of the weaker and more helpless sex. Quest. How doth this agree with , Also unto thy maid-servant thou shalt do likewise? Answ. 1. Distinguish persons. She, was sold by herself, and that to mere servitude; this here was sold by her father, not only for service, but in order to her marriage, as the following verses sufficiently imply. 2. Distinguish things. The likeness between men-servants and maid-servants was only in the rites used, in case she consented to perpetual servitude.
The difference here is, in case they both were made free, in which case she had some privileges, which here follow.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
Exodus 21:7 And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.Ver. 7. She shall not go out.] But upon better terms. He that was to come "in the form of a servant," see what care he takes of poor servants’ welfare. Lawyers seldom speak but for great men, or when they may have great gifts. Christ is not of that humour.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
(7) If a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant.—The right of selling their children into slavery was regarded in ancient times as inherent in the patria potestas, and was practised largely by many nations (Herod. v. 6; Heyne, Opusc., vol. iv., p. 125). Among the Hebrews such sales were, comparatively speaking, rare; but still they occasionally took place, in consequence of extreme poverty (Nehemiah 5:5). Women sold in this way might claim their freedom at the end of six years if they chose (Deuteronomy 15:17); but if purchased to be wives, they received a further protection. If the intention were carried out, they were to be entitled to the status of wives during their whole lifetime, even though their husbands contracted further marriages (Exodus 21:10). If, instead of becoming the wife of her purchaser, a woman was made over by him to his son, she was to enjoy all the rights of a daughter (Exodus 21:9). If the purchaser declined to act in either of these two ways, he was compelled to take one of two other courses. Either he must get another Hebrew to discharge his obligation of marriage (Exodus 21:8), or he must return the maid intact to her father, without making any demand for the restitution of the purchase-money (Exodus 21:11). These provisions afforded a considerable protection to the slave-concubine, who might otherwise have been liable to grievous wrong and oppression.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
Verse 7. If a man sell his daughter] This the Jews allowed no man to do but in extreme distress - when he had no goods, either movable or immovable left, even to the clothes on his back; and he had this permission only while she was unmarriageable. It may appear at first view strange that such a law should have been given; but let it be remembered, that this servitude could extend, at the utmost, only to six years; and that it was nearly the same as in some cases of apprenticeship among us, where the parents bind the child for seven years, and have from the master so much per week during that period.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 21:7
2–11. The law of slavery. Cf. Deuteronomy 15:12-18, Leviticus 25:39-55 (H and P), where there are other regulations on the same subject, in some respects differing remarkably from those of Ex., and springing evidently out of a different and more advanced stage of society. The present law deals only with Hebrew slaves: the case of foreign slaves is dealt with in Leviticus 25:44-46. The conditions of society in ancient Israel were such that slavery could not be abolished: but it was regulated, and restrictions were imposed on the power of a master over his slave (see also vv. 20 f., 26 f.). An Israelite might fall into slavery from different causes: (1) he might be sold by his parents, a case of particularly common occurrence with daughters; (2) he might be sold for theft (Exodus 22:3) or insolvency (2 Kings 4:1, Amos 2:6); (3) he might be obliged by poverty to sell himself (Leviticus 25:39). Of course, also, he might be born a slave. The later legislation of Lev 25:39-46 sought to limit slavery to foreigners.
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 21:7
A man might, in accordance with existing custom, sell his daughter to another man with a view to her becoming an inferior wife, or concubine.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 21:7
7. Sell his daughter — This might occur because of extreme poverty and want. Nehemiah 5:5.
Sermons on Exodus 21:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Free to Be by Jon Appleton | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on their role as a structured affiliate of a state bad disconvention, attending meetings and engaging in superficial interactions. They share a |
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What the Wall Speaks Of by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the spiritual significance of Nehemiah's rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, illustrating the need for the Lord's people to recover their testimony of |
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(God and Man) Entering God's Sabbath Rest by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of dedicating Wednesdays and Saturdays to fasting and prayer. He and another brother would spend hours in prayer after th |
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(Exodus) Exodus 21:1-11 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the social legislation found in chapter 21 of the Bible. He begins by discussing the importance of the master and servant relationship in th |
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The Kinsman Redeemer by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher paints a vivid picture of a person in Israel who has lost their inheritance and is in chains, serving a cruel taskmaster. However, a relative or elder |
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Typified in the Old Testament by Martin Knapp | Martin Knapp preaches on the transformative power of the Double Cure, emphasizing the importance of receiving both justification and sanctification to serve God with joy forever. T |
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Emblems of Grace in the Ancient Law by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson explores the emblems of grace found in the ancient law, emphasizing that the law served as a schoolmaster leading us to Christ, where we find justification by faith. H |