Exodus 21:27

KJV

And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if he smite {H5307} out his manservant's {H5650} tooth {H8127}, or his maidservant's {H519} tooth {H8127}; he shall let him go {H7971} free {H2670} for his tooth's {H8127} sake.

Complete Jewish Bible

If he knocks out his male or female slave's tooth, he must let him go free in compensation for his tooth.

Berean Standard Bible

And if he knocks out the tooth of his manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the tooth.

American Standard Version

And if he smite out his man-servant’s tooth, or his maid-servant’s tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth’s sake.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 21:27, part of the Book of the Covenant, establishes a remarkable legal precedent within ancient Israelite society: if a master causes permanent bodily harm, specifically knocking out a tooth, to a manservant or maidservant, the injured servant is immediately granted freedom. This law profoundly underscores God's unwavering concern for human dignity, the protection of the vulnerable, and the principle that even those in subordinate positions possess inherent worth that supersedes property rights, demonstrating a unique form of divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 21-23), a collection of civil and ceremonial laws delivered by God to Moses immediately following the Ten Commandments. Specifically, it falls within a section (Exodus 21:1-32) addressing the treatment of various social groups and personal injury. The preceding verses detail laws concerning Hebrew servants (Exodus 21:1-11), capital offenses (Exodus 21:12-17), and compensation for bodily harm. Notably, [Exodus 21:26](/exodus/21-26 "Exodus 21:26 - Law for a Servant's Eye") addresses the loss of an eye, stipulating freedom as the consequence, setting a direct precedent for the tooth injury in [Exodus 21:27](/exodus/21-27 "Exodus 21:27 - Law for a Servant's Tooth"). These laws collectively reveal a legal system that, unlike its contemporaries, placed significant value on human life and bodily integrity, even for those in servitude.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern societies generally viewed slaves and servants as property with few, if any, inherent rights. Legal codes like the Code of Hammurabi often prescribed monetary compensation for injuries to slaves, but rarely freedom. In stark contrast, the Mosaic Law, as seen in [Exodus 21](/exodus/21 "Exodus 21 - Laws for Servants and Injuries"), introduces a revolutionary concept: the physical integrity of a servant is so highly valued that a permanent injury, even one seemingly minor like the loss of a tooth, warrants the ultimate restitution of freedom. This reflects Israel's unique covenant relationship with God, who liberated them from slavery in Egypt (as recounted in [Exodus 1-15](/exodus/1 "Exodus 1 - The Oppression of Israel")), instilling a profound theological basis for valuing liberty and protecting the vulnerable within their own society. The law applied equally to both male and female servants, further highlighting its equitable nature.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Manservant/Maidservant (Hebrew, _'eved_ / _'amah'_):** The Hebrew terms עֶבֶד (_'eved'_) for manservant and אָמָה (_'amah'_) for maidservant refer to individuals in a state of servitude, which could range from temporary bond-service due to debt or poverty, to more permanent forms of slavery. Crucially, the law here applies equally to both genders, emphasizing that the inherent dignity and rights it protects are universal, irrespective of social status or sex. This inclusivity is a hallmark of God's justice.
* **Free (Hebrew, _chofshi'_):** The word חָפְשִׁי (_chofshi'_) signifies complete liberation or freedom. It is not merely a release from a specific master, but a return to full liberty, no longer bound by the terms of servitude. The granting of freedom for a bodily injury, even a non-life-threatening one like a lost tooth, underscores the immense value placed on a person's physical integrity and the supreme worth of liberty within God's legal framework. It serves as a powerful deterrent against abuse and a unique form of restitution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth":** This clause sets the specific condition for the law's application. The verb "smite out" (נָכָה, _nakah'_) implies an act of violence or aggression that results in the permanent loss of a tooth. The explicit mention of both "manservant's tooth" and "maidservant's tooth" reiterates the equal protection afforded to all servants, regardless of gender, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of this divine mandate for justice and care.
* **"he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.":** This is the prescriptive consequence. The master is obligated to release the injured servant from their service. The phrase "for his tooth's sake" (בְּשִׁנּוֹ, _b'shinno_) emphasizes that the injury itself, the permanent disfigurement or loss of a bodily part, is the direct cause for the granting of freedom. This highlights that the value of the servant's bodily integrity outweighs the master's property rights, establishing a profound principle of human dignity over economic interest.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 21:27 primarily functions as a piece of **Casuistic Law**, characterized by its "if...then" structure (apodictic law, by contrast, is an absolute command). This legal form provides specific case scenarios and their prescribed consequences, making the law clear and applicable. The law also employs **Symbolism**: the tooth, though seemingly minor, symbolizes the servant's bodily integrity and inherent human dignity. Its loss represents a profound violation of that dignity, warranting the ultimate restitution of freedom. Furthermore, there is an element of **Inversion of Power** at play; what might appear to be a minor injury inflicted by a powerful master results in a severe consequence for the master and a liberating outcome for the vulnerable servant, thereby rebalancing the power dynamic in favor of the oppressed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This law profoundly reveals God's character as a just and compassionate sovereign who champions the cause of the vulnerable and marginalized. It establishes that human beings, even those in servitude, possess inherent dignity and value because they are created in God's image, a theological truth that transcends social status or economic utility. The granting of freedom for a bodily injury, however seemingly minor, underscores the sanctity of the human body and the supreme value of liberty as a divine gift. This principle contrasts sharply with the norms of the ancient world, demonstrating God's unique standard of justice that prioritizes the well-being and rights of the individual over the property rights of the master. It serves as a foundational declaration of human worth under divine law.

* [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Created in God's Image")
* [Deuteronomy 15:12](/deuteronomy/15-12 "Deuteronomy 15:12-15 - Laws for Releasing Servants")
* [Leviticus 25:39](/leviticus/25-39 "Leviticus 25:39-43 - Treatment of Hebrew Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 21:27, though set in an ancient context, carries timeless principles that challenge and inform our contemporary understanding of justice, dignity, and power. It compels us to recognize the inherent worth of every individual, regardless of their social standing, economic status, or perceived utility. In a world where exploitation and marginalization persist, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering concern for the oppressed and His call for us to uphold justice. It demands that those in positions of authority—whether employers, leaders, or even parents—exercise their power with responsibility, compassion, and a deep respect for the dignity of those under their care, understanding that accountability for mistreatment is a divine imperative. Ultimately, it calls us to actively advocate for and protect the rights and well-being of the vulnerable in our own communities, ensuring that no one is treated as mere property or a means to an end, but always as a person created in God's image.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the value placed on a servant's tooth in this law challenge our modern perceptions of what constitutes "significant" harm or injustice?**
* **In what ways might we, consciously or unconsciously, devalue or exploit those in subordinate positions in our own lives or society today?**
* **How can we, as individuals and as a community, better embody God's concern for the vulnerable and advocate for justice in contemporary contexts?**

### FAQ
**Why is the loss of a tooth specifically mentioned, and why is it considered so severe that it warrants freedom?**

Answer: The specific mention of a tooth, alongside an eye in the preceding verse, highlights that any permanent bodily disfigurement or loss, even if not life-threatening, was considered a grave violation of a person's physical integrity and dignity. In ancient societies, a missing tooth could affect one's appearance, ability to eat, and overall social standing, marking a permanent injury. Unlike many ancient Near Eastern laws that would only require monetary compensation for such an injury to a servant, the Mosaic Law demands freedom as restitution. This emphasizes that the servant is not mere property; their bodily integrity and personal liberty are of such high value in God's eyes that their violation results in the ultimate consequence for the master: the loss of their "property" and the servant's complete liberation. It underscores God's unique concern for the inherent worth of every human being.

**How does this law compare to other ancient legal codes regarding servants?**

Answer: The law in [Exodus 21:27](/exodus/21-27 "Exodus 21:27 - Law for a Servant's Tooth") is remarkably progressive and compassionate compared to most other ancient Near Eastern legal codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi or the Middle Assyrian Laws. In those codes, injuries to slaves typically resulted in monetary fines paid to the owner, treating the slave as property rather than an individual with rights. For instance, if a man knocked out the tooth of a commoner, Hammurabi's code might prescribe a fine, but if it was a slave, the fine would be significantly less, and paid to the slave's owner. The Mosaic Law, however, elevates the servant's status by granting them freedom for such an injury. This unique provision reflects Israel's foundational experience of liberation from slavery (as seen in [Exodus 1-15](/exodus/1 "Exodus 1 - The Oppression of Israel")) and God's theological emphasis on human dignity and liberty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 21:27, with its radical emphasis on the dignity of the vulnerable and the liberating power of justice, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the law provided physical freedom from an earthly master for a bodily injury, Christ offers a far profounder liberation: freedom from the bondage of sin and death. Just as the law protected the "manservant" and "maidservant" from abuse, Jesus consistently championed the marginalized, the outcast, and the oppressed throughout His ministry, demonstrating God's heart for those considered least in society (as seen in [Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Whatever You Did for the Least of These")). He did not merely advocate for their rights but entered into their suffering, ultimately sacrificing Himself to secure true and lasting freedom for all who believe (as proclaimed in [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - If the Son Sets You Free")). In Christ, the distinctions of social status, gender, or servitude that were addressed by the Mosaic Law are transcended, for "there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - One in Christ Jesus")). His work liberates us not for a tooth's sake, but for the sake of our very souls, making us servants of righteousness and heirs of eternal life ([Romans 6:18](/romans/6-18 "Romans 6:18 - Freed from Sin")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.