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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 21:7 And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/21-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/02_Exo_21_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 21:7 - Laws for Servants" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do." /><script type="application/javascript" 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href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as male servants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Now if a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And if a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“And if a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go free [after six years] as male servants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“When a man sells his daughter as a concubine, she is not to leave as the male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she is not to leave as the male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And if a man sell his daughter to be a maid-servant, she shall not go out as the men-servants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />A young woman who was sold by her father doesn't gain her freedom in the same way that a man does. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Whenever a man sells his daughter into slavery, she will not go free the way male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"If a man sells his daughter as a slave, she is not to be set free, as male slaves are. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"When a man sells his daughter as a servant, she won't go out as the male servants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"If a man sells his daughter as a female servant, she will not go out as the male servants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if a man shall sell his daughter to be a maid-servant, she shall not depart as the men-servants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And when a man sells his daughter for a handmaid, she does not go out according to the going out of the menservants;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And when a man selleth his daughter for a handmaid, she doth not go out according to the going out of the men-servants;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if a man shall sell his daughter for a maid, she shall not go forth as the servants went forth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If any man sell his daughter to be a servant, she shall not go out as bondwomen are wont to go out. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If anyone sells his daughter to be a servant, she shall not depart as a female servant is accustomed to go out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go free as male slaves do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when a man sells his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out free as the menservants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when a man will sell his daughter as a Maidservant, she will not go out as Men Servants will leave.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And if a man sell his daughter to be a maid-servant, she shall not go out as the men-servants do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if any one sell his daughter as a domestic, she shall not depart as the maid-servants depart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/21-7.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=5201" 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">6</span>then 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. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: wə·ḵî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">And if</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: yim·kōr (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">sells</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: bit·tōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">his daughter</a> <a href="/hebrew/519.htm" title="519: lə·’ā·māh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- A maid, handmaid. Apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or female slave.">as a servant,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">she is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: ṯê·ṣê (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">to go free</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: kə·ṣêṯ (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: hā·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">as the menservants do.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>If 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.…<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="/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="/leviticus/25-39.htm">Leviticus 25:39-43</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="/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="/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="/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18-30</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/31-14.htm">Genesis 31:14-16</a></span><br />And Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we have any portion or inheritance left in our father’s house? / Are we not regarded by him as outsiders? Not only has he sold us, but he has certainly squandered what was paid for us. / Surely all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has told you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-39.htm">1 Samuel 25:39-42</a></span><br />On hearing that Nabal was dead, David said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has upheld my cause against the reproach of Nabal and has restrained His servant from evil. For the LORD has brought the wickedness of Nabal down upon his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. / When his servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said, “David has sent us to take you as his wife.” / She arose, bowed facedown, and said, “Here is your servant, ready to serve and to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-10.htm">Ruth 4:10</a></span><br />Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-8.htm">Matthew 19:8</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Matthew 5:31-32</a></span><br />It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">1 Corinthians 7:10-16</a></span><br />To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. / To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ...<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/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a></span><br />There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.<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. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.</p><p class="hdg">sell</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm">Nehemiah 5:5</a></b></br> Yet now our flesh <i>is</i> as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and <i>some</i> of our daughters are brought unto bondage <i>already</i>: neither <i>is it</i> in our power <i>to redeem them</i>; for other men have our lands and vineyards.</p><p class="hdg">go out</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2,3</a></b></br> If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/14-5.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/exodus/20-10.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">Female</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Free</a> <a href="/exodus/21-4.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">Male</a> <a href="/genesis/32-5.htm">Menservants</a> <a href="/genesis/32-5.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/genesis/49-32.htm">Price</a> <a href="/genesis/47-22.htm">Sell</a> <a href="/genesis/41-56.htm">Selleth</a> <a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Sells</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/20-2.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/exodus/21-5.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/exodus/9-21.htm">Slaves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/25-42.htm">Bondmen</a> <a href="/exodus/21-9.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/exodus/21-11.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Female</a> <a href="/exodus/21-8.htm">Free</a> <a href="/exodus/21-9.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Maidservant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-32.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Male</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-12.htm">Menservants</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-44.htm">Men-Servants</a> <a href="/exodus/21-8.htm">Price</a> <a href="/exodus/21-8.htm">Sell</a> <a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">Selleth</a> <a href="/exodus/21-16.htm">Sells</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/exodus/32-13.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-6.htm">Slaves</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>And if a man sells his daughter as a servant</b><br>In ancient Israel, the practice of selling a daughter as a servant was a form of arranged servitude often due to economic hardship. This was not akin to slavery as understood in modern terms but was more of a contractual agreement. The father, as the head of the household, had the authority to make such decisions, reflecting the patriarchal structure of society. This practice was intended to provide for the daughter’s welfare and future, often leading to marriage within the household she served. The cultural context of the time saw this as a means of ensuring the daughter’s security and integration into a stable family environment.<p><b>she is not to go free as the menservants do</b><br>The distinction between female and male servants highlights the different social roles and expectations in ancient Israelite society. Male servants were often released after six years of service, as outlined in <a href="/exodus/21-2.htm">Exodus 21:2</a>, reflecting the sabbatical cycle. However, female servants, particularly those sold by their fathers, were often intended to become part of the family, either through marriage or long-term servitude. This provision ensured that women were not left without support or protection, recognizing their vulnerability in a patriarchal society. The law aimed to safeguard the dignity and future of the female servant, ensuring she was not treated merely as property but as a potential member of the household.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Exodus, who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai and communicated them to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people to whom the laws were given, living in a covenant relationship with God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/servant.htm">Servant (Hebrew: ?????, 'amah')</a></b><br>Refers to a female servant or maidservant, often in the context of servitude due to economic hardship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where Moses received the Ten Commandments and other laws from God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_near_east.htm">Ancient Near East</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context in which these laws were given, where servitude was a common practice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_cultural_context.htm">Understanding Cultural Context</a></b><br>Recognize that the laws in Exodus were given in a specific historical and cultural context. The practice of selling a daughter as a servant was a means of economic survival and protection in ancient times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_protection.htm">God's Provision and Protection</a></b><br>Even within the framework of servitude, God's laws provided protection and rights for female servants, indicating His care for the vulnerable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_freedom_in_christ.htm">Spiritual Freedom in Christ</a></b><br>While the Old Testament laws address physical servitude, the New Testament emphasizes spiritual freedom through Christ, transcending social and economic statuses.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/compassion_and_justice.htm">Compassion and Justice</a></b><br>As Christians, we are called to advocate for justice and compassion, reflecting God's heart for the marginalized and oppressed in our society today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/application_to_modern_contexts.htm">Application to Modern Contexts</a></b><br>Consider how principles of justice, protection, and care for the vulnerable can be applied in contemporary issues such as human trafficking and economic exploitation.<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/how_does_exodus_21_7-11_align_with_child_value.htm">Exodus 21:7–11 mentions selling one’s daughter; how does this align with other biblical teachings on the value and protection of children? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/1_peter_2_18__why_does_it_condone_slavery.htm">1 Peter 2:18: Why does the text appear to condone slavery by telling slaves to submit to their masters, and how is that consistent with a just God? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_torah_laws_mirror_mesopotamian_codes.htm">Why do the laws of the Torah resemble earlier Mesopotamian legal codes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_f._f._bruce.htm">Why did Jesus resolutely head to Jerusalem?</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>(7) <span class= "bld">If a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant.</span>--The right of selling their children into slavery was regarded in ancient times as inherent in the <span class= "ital">patria potestas, </span>and was practised largely by many nations (Herod. v. 6; Heyne, <span class= "ital">Opusc., </span>vol. iv., p. 125). Among the Hebrews such sales were, comparatively speaking, rare; but still they occasionally took place, in consequence of extreme poverty (<a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm" title="Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children: and, see, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought to bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.">Nehemiah 5:5</a>). Women sold in this way might claim their freedom at the end of six years if they chose (<a href="/deuteronomy/15-17.htm" title="Then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant for ever. And also to your maidservant you shall do likewise.">Deuteronomy 15:17</a>); 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 (<a href="/exodus/21-10.htm" title="If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.">Exodus 21:10</a>). 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 (<a href="/exodus/21-9.htm" title="And if he have betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.">Exodus 21:9</a>). 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 (<a href="/exodus/21-8.htm" title="If she please not her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her to a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he has dealt deceitfully with her.">Exodus 21:8</a>), or he must return the maid intact to her father, without making any demand for the restitution of the purchase-money (<a href="/exodus/21-11.htm" title="And if he do not these three to her, then shall she go out free without money.">Exodus 21:11</a>). These provisions afforded a considerable protection to the slave-concubine, who might otherwise have been liable to grievous wrong and oppression. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If a man sell his</span> <span class="cmt_word">daughter to be a</span> <span class="cmt_word">maid-servant.</span> Among ancient nations the father' s rights over his children were generally regarded as including the right to sell them for slaves. In civilised nations the right was seldom exercised; but what restrained men was rather a sentiment of pride than any doubt of such sales being proper. Many barbarous nations, like the Thracians (Herod. 5:6), made a regular practice of selling their daughters. Even at Athens there was a time when sales of children had been common (Plut. <span class="accented">Vit. Solon</span>. § 13). Existing custom, it is clear, sanctioned such sales among the Hebrews, and what the law now did was to step in and mitigate the evil consequences. (Compare the comment on verse 2.) These were greatest in the case of females. Usually they were bought to be made the concubines, or secondary wives of their masters. If this intention were carried out, then they were to be entitled to their status and maintenance as wives during their lifetime, even though their husband took another (legitimate) wife (ver. 10). If the retention was not carried out, either the man was to marry her to one of his sons (ver. 9), or he was to sell his rights over her altogether with his obligations to another Hebrew; or he was to send her back at once <span class="accented">intact</span> to her father' s house, without making any claim on him to refund the purchase-money. These provisos may not have furnished a remedy against all the wrongs of a weak, and, no doubt, an oppressed class; but they were important mitigations of the existing usages, and protected the slave-concubine to a considerable extent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/21-7.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">And if</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכִֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֛ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sells</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמְכֹּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(yim·kōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his daughter</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּתּ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bit·tōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<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">as a servant,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאָמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_519.htm">Strong's 519: </a> </span><span class="str2">A maidservant, female slave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she is not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to go free</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵצֵ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(ṯê·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine 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 /><br /><span class="word">as the menservants do.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעֲבָדִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/21-7.htm">Exodus 21:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/21-7.htm">OT Law: Exodus 21:7 If a man sells his daughter (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/21-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 21:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:8" /></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>