Exodus 21:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"If a man sells his daughter as a slave, she is not to go free like the men-slaves.

Berean Standard Bible:

And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do.

American Standard Version:

And if a man sell his daughter to be a maid-servant, she shall not go out as the men-servants do.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And if a man^{H376} sell^{H4376} his daughter^{H1323} to be a maidservant^{H519}, she shall not go out^{H3318} as the menservants^{H5650} do^{H3318}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 21:7

**Exodus 21:7 Theme:**
The theme of Exodus 21:7 revolves around the rights and treatment of female servants in ancient Israelite society. This verse is part of a larger section known as the Book of the Covenant, which includes a series of laws that cover various aspects of social and religious life. The specific law outlined in this verse addresses the situation of a father who sells his daughter into servitude, highlighting the differential treatment between male and female servants at the time.

**Historical Context:**
In the historical context of the ancient Near East, it was not uncommon for families in dire circumstances to sell their children into servitude to settle debts or to ensure their survival. The practice is reflected in this verse, which acknowledges the existence of such arrangements. However, the law also provides a measure of protection for the daughter sold into servitude.

The verse indicates that female servants were subject to different rules compared to male servants. While male servants were to be released after six years of service (as stated in Exodus 21:2), this provision did not automatically apply to female servants. This reflects the patriarchal nature of the society, where women had a different legal status compared to men.

The law in Exodus 21:7 likely aimed to protect the interests of the female servant by ensuring she had a place to live and was not simply cast out at the end of a fixed term, which could leave her vulnerable in a society where women often relied on male relatives for support and protection. At the same time, it also regulated the power of the master over the servant, including the expectation that she be treated with fairness and dignity.

It's important to note that while these laws may seem harsh by modern standards, they were part of a legal framework designed to provide structure and protection in a very different cultural and historical setting. The inclusion of such laws within the context of the covenant between God and Israel also served to remind the community of their responsibility to care for the vulnerable and to uphold justice and righteousness in their social order.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); 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 אִשָּׁה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4376
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָכַר
   Transliteration: mâkar
   Pronunciation: maw-kar'
   Description: a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender); [idiom] at all, sell (away, -er, self).
   
3. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
4. Strong's Number: H519
   There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמָה
   Transliteration: ʼâmâh
   Pronunciation: aw-maw'
   Description: apparently a primitive word; a maidservant or female slave; (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant).
   
5. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [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.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.