King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
Complete Jewish Bible:
If her master married her but decides she no longer pleases him, then he is to allow her to be redeemed. He is not allowed to sell her to a foreign people, because he has treated her unfairly.
Berean Standard Bible:
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.
American Standard Version:
If she please not her master, who hath espoused her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a foreign people he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
If she please{H7451}{H5869} not her master{H113}, who hath betrothed{H3259} her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed{H6299}: to sell{H4376} her unto a strange{H5237} nation{H5971} he shall have no power{H4910}, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully{H898} with her.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 8:29
- And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms [of flies] may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.
Malachi 2:11
- Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.
Malachi 2:15
- And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
Deuteronomy 21:11
- And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
Deuteronomy 21:14
- And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.
Judges 9:19
- If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, [then] rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
Judges 14:3
- Then his father and his mother said unto him, [Is there] never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 21:8
**Themes:**
Exodus 21:8 is part of a larger section in the book of Exodus known as the Covenant Code or the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22-23:33), which includes a series of laws given to the Israelites after the Ten Commandments. The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Justice and Fair Treatment:** The law emphasizes the need to treat individuals, particularly the vulnerable, with justice and fairness.
2. **Protection of Women:** The verse provides a level of protection for women in a patriarchal society, ensuring they are not mistreated or sold into foreign slavery.
3. **The Sanctity of Betrothal:** The law respects the betrothal process, which in ancient Israel was a binding commitment, and provides recourse for a woman if her betrothed does not fulfill his obligations.
4. **Redemption and Release:** The verse introduces the concept of redemption, allowing for the possibility of release from an unfavorable situation.
**Historical Context:**
The historical context of Exodus 21:8 is set against the backdrop of ancient Near Eastern society, where women often had limited rights and were considered the property of men. The verse reflects a situation where a man has the right to betroth a woman (likely his slave or a dependent in his household), but if he fails to marry her as promised, he must allow her to be redeemed, likely by a family member, rather than selling her to a foreign nation. This law would have been revolutionary in its time, offering protection to women who would otherwise be vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
The verse also reflects the broader context of the Exodus narrative, where the Israelites themselves were redeemed from slavery in Egypt. The laws given to them were meant to shape a society that reflected their experience as oppressed people and to instill a sense of justice and righteousness, distinguishing them from other nations.
In summary, Exodus 21:8 addresses the treatment of women in a societal structure that often left them unprotected, providing a legal framework for their rights and dignity within the context of betrothal and slavery. It reflects the themes of justice, protection of the vulnerable, and the importance of fulfilling commitments, all within the historical context of a fledgling nation seeking to establish a just society based on their recent experiences of liberation and redemption.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7451
There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַע
Transliteration: raʻ
Pronunciation: rah
Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H113
There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדוֹן
Transliteration: ʼâdôwn
Pronunciation: aw-done'
Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. - Strong's Number: H3259
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָעַד
Transliteration: yâʻad
Pronunciation: yaw-ad'
Description: a primitive root; to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage); agree,(maxke an) appoint(-ment, a time), assemble (selves), betroth, gather (selves, together), meet (together), set (a time). - Strong's Number: H6299
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּדָה
Transliteration: pâdâh
Pronunciation: paw-daw'
Description: a primitive root; to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release, preserve; [idiom] at all, deliver, [idiom] by any means, ransom, (that are to be, let be) redeem(-ed), rescue, [idiom] surely. - 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). - Strong's Number: H5237
There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נׇכְרִי
Transliteration: nokrîy
Pronunciation: nok-ree'
Description: from נֶכֶר (second form); strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful); alien, foreigner, outlandish, strange(-r, woman). - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H4910
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָשַׁל
Transliteration: mâshal
Pronunciation: maw-shal'
Description: a primitive root; to rule; (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power. - Strong's Number: H898
There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּגַד
Transliteration: bâgad
Pronunciation: baw-gad'
Description: a primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage; deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly, man), [idiom] very.