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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 21:4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/21-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/02_Exo_21_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 21:4 - Laws for Servants" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall leave alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife, and she gives birth to sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall leave [your service] alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children belong to her master, and the man must leave alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children belong to her master, and the man must leave alone.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If his master give him a wife and she bear him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you give him a wife, and they have children, only the man himself must be set free; his wife and children remain the property of his owner. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If his master give him a wife, and she bear him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife and she gives birth to sons or daughters, the wife and her children belong to the master, and the slave must leave by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the woman and her children belong to the master, and the man is to leave by himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and children belong to her master, and he is to go out by himself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If his master gave him a wife, and she bore sons or daughters, the wife and the children will belong to her master, and he will go out by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If his master hath given him a wife, and she hath borne him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall depart by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />if his lord gives a wife to him, and she has borne sons or daughters to him—the wife and her children are her lord’s, and he goes out by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> if his lord give to him a wife, and she hath borne to him sons or daughters -- the wife and her children are her lord's, and he goeth out by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If his lord shall give to hint a wife, and she brought to him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be to her lord, and he shall go forth by himself.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if his master gave him a wife, and she hath borne sons and daughters: the woman and her children shall be her master's: but he himself shall go out with his raiment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if his lord gave him a wife, and she has borne sons and daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her lord. Yet still, he himself will go out with his clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But if his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children belong to her master and the man shall leave alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s and he shall go out alone.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If his master has given him a wife and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be his master's and he shall go out alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if his Master will give him a woman and she shall bear to him sons and daughters, the wife and her children will be his Master’s and he will go forth alone.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If his master give him a wife, and she bear him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Moreover, if his master give him a wife, and she have <i>born</i> him sons or daughters, the wife and the children shall be his master's; and he shall go forth alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/21-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5171" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Laws for Servants</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">his master</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: yit·ten- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">gives</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’iš·šāh (N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">a wife</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: wə·yā·lə·ḏāh- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">and she bears</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇā·nîm (N-mp) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: ḇā·nō·wṯ (N-fp) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">daughters,</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: hā·’iš·šāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the woman</a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: wî·lā·ḏe·hā (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring.">and her children</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: tih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">shall belong to</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: la·ḏō·ne·hā (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">her master,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">and only the man</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yê·ṣê (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">shall go free.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1610.htm" title="1610: ḇə·ḡap·pōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Body, self, height, elevation. From an unused root meaning to arch; the back; by extensive the body or self."></a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children; I do not want to go free,’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-46</a></span><br />If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-12.htm">Deuteronomy 15:12-18</a></span><br />If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">1 Corinthians 7:21-23</a></span><br />Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. / For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. / You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">Galatians 4:1-7</a></span><br />What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. / He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. / So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-5.htm">Ephesians 6:5-9</a></span><br />Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-22.htm">Colossians 3:22-25</a></span><br />Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. / Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-1.htm">1 Timothy 6:1-2</a></span><br />All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philemon/1-15.htm">Philemon 1:15-16</a></span><br />For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18-20</a></span><br />Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” / Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.” / So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41</a></span><br />Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-1.htm">2 Kings 4:1</a></span><br />Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm">Nehemiah 5:5</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/34-8.htm">Jeremiah 34:8-17</a></span><br />After King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty, the word came to Jeremiah from the LORD / that each man should free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, and no one should hold his fellow Jew in bondage. / So all the officials and all the people who entered into this covenant agreed that they would free their menservants and maidservants and no longer hold them in bondage. They obeyed and released them, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-25.htm">Matthew 18:25</a></span><br />Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-45.htm">Luke 12:45-46</a></span><br />But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk. / The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.</p><p class="hdg">no reference </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/21-3.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/genesis/45-11.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/exodus/12-49.htm">Born</a> <a href="/exodus/19-4.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/exodus/20-22.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/10-9.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/exodus/21-3.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/exodus/21-3.htm">Free</a> <a href="/genesis/44-5.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/exodus/13-12.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/genesis/44-5.htm">Master</a> <a href="/genesis/44-8.htm">Master's</a> <a href="/exodus/20-15.htm">Property</a> <a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-3.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/leviticus/12-2.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/exodus/29-29.htm">Belong</a> <a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Born</a> <a href="/exodus/25-14.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/exodus/21-9.htm">Daughters</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Free</a> <a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Master</a> <a href="/1_samuel/29-10.htm">Master's</a> <a href="/exodus/21-21.htm">Property</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-1.htm">Laws for men servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">For the servant whose ear is bored</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">For women servants</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">For manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">For kidnappers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-17.htm">For cursers of parents</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">For smiters</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">For a hurt by chance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-28.htm">For an ox that gores</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">For him who is an occasion of harm</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If his master gives him a wife</b><br>In ancient Israel, slavery was a common practice, and this passage addresses the situation of a Hebrew servant. The master had the authority to give a wife to his servant, often another servant or slave. This reflects the patriarchal and hierarchical structure of society at the time, where the master had significant control over the lives of his servants. The giving of a wife by the master indicates a contractual relationship, where the servant's personal life was intertwined with his service.<p><b>and she bears him sons or daughters</b><br>Children born to a servant couple were considered part of the master's household. This reflects the cultural and legal norms of the time, where offspring of slaves were typically regarded as the property of the master. The birth of children in this context underscores the continuation of the master's lineage and wealth, as children would contribute to the household's labor force.<p><b>the woman and her children shall belong to her master</b><br>This phrase highlights the legal status of the wife and children as property of the master. It underscores the lack of autonomy and rights for slaves and their families in ancient Israelite society. This legal stipulation ensured that the master's investment in the servant's family remained within his control, maintaining the economic and social structure of the household.<p><b>and only the man shall go free</b><br>The Hebrew servant was to be released after six years of service, as outlined in the broader context of <a href="/exodus/21.htm">Exodus 21</a>. However, the freedom granted to the servant did not extend to his wife and children if they were given by the master. This provision emphasizes the servant's individual liberation while maintaining the master's rights over the family. It reflects the tension between personal freedom and social obligations within the covenant community. This situation also foreshadows the concept of redemption and liberation found in the New Testament, where Christ offers freedom to all who are bound, transcending social and legal constraints.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hebrew_servant.htm">Hebrew Servant</a></b><br>A man who has sold himself into servitude, often due to debt or poverty, and is subject to the laws of servitude outlined in Exodus.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/master.htm">Master</a></b><br>The owner of the servant, who has the authority to give the servant a wife and make decisions regarding the family unit within the context of servitude.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wife_and_children.htm">Wife and Children</a></b><br>The family given to the servant by the master, who remain under the master's ownership according to the law.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelite_society.htm">Israelite Society</a></b><br>The cultural and legal context in which these laws were given, reflecting the social and economic structures of ancient Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mosaic_law.htm">Mosaic Law</a></b><br>The broader legal framework given to the Israelites through Moses, of which this law is a part, aiming to regulate social justice and relationships.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_servitude_in_context.htm">Understanding Servitude in Context</a></b><br>The laws of servitude in Exodus reflect the economic realities of ancient Israel and are not endorsements of slavery as understood in modern terms. They were designed to protect the rights of servants and ensure humane treatment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_provision.htm">God's Sovereignty and Provision</a></b><br>Even within the constraints of servitude, God's laws provided structure and protection, demonstrating His care for all individuals, regardless of their social status.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_and_community_responsibility.htm">Family and Community Responsibility</a></b><br>The passage highlights the importance of family and community responsibility, as the master is responsible for the welfare of the servant's family.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_freedom_in_christ.htm">Spiritual Freedom in Christ</a></b><br>While the law provided for physical servitude, the New Testament reveals a spiritual freedom in Christ that transcends earthly bonds, calling believers to live as free people in service to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/justice_and_compassion.htm">Justice and Compassion</a></b><br>The laws remind us of the need for justice and compassion in our dealings with others, encouraging us to treat everyone with dignity and respect.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_zipporah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Zipporah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_proverbs_12_4_with_exodus_21.htm">Proverbs 12:4 extols a virtuous wife, but how can we reconcile this with other biblical passages portraying women as subordinate or property (e.g., Exodus 21)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doesn't_god_make_everyone_believe.htm">If God can change minds (Exodus 4:21), why doesn't He make everyone believe in Him?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/define_'bondservant.'.htm">What is the definition of a bondservant?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) If his master have given him a wife.--If, however, the Hebrew slave, being previously unmarried, had been allowed by his master to take to wife one of his female slaves, then, when the husband claimed his freedom the wife could not claim hers. Both she and her children remained in the slave condition.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If his master have given him a wife</span>. If the slave was unmarried when he went into servitude, or if his wife died, and his master then gave him a wife from among his female slaves, the master was not to lose his property in his female slave by reason of having permitted the marriage. When the man claimed his freedom at the end of the sixth year, he was to "go out" alone. Should children have been born, they were also to be the property of the master and to remain members of his household. No doubt these provisos, which cannot be regarded as unjust, had the effect of inducing many Hebrew slaves not to claim their release (vers. 5, 6). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/21-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his master</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנָיו֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sovereign, controller</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gives</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(yit·ten-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him a wife</span><br /><span class="heb">אִשָּׁ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and she bears</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיָלְדָה־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·lə·ḏāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him sons</span><br /><span class="heb">בָנִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">א֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’ōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> </span><span class="str2">Desire, if</span><br /><br /><span class="word">daughters,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָנ֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> </span><span class="str2">A daughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the woman</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאִשָּׁ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and her children</span><br /><span class="heb">וִילָדֶ֗יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(wî·lā·ḏe·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3206.htm">Strong's 3206: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something born, a lad, offspring</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall belong to</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּהְיֶה֙</span> <span class="translit">(tih·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her master,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽאדֹנֶ֔יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(la·ḏō·ne·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sovereign, controller</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and [only] the man</span><br /><span class="heb">וְה֖וּא</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall go free.</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵצֵ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(yê·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/21-4.htm">Exodus 21:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/21-4.htm">OT Law: Exodus 21:4 If his master gives him a wife (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/21-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 21:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>