Exodus 21:7

Context

Exodus 21:7 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 21-23), which immediately follows the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. This section outlines specific civil and social laws for ancient Israel, regulating various aspects of daily life, including personal injury, property rights, and servitude. In the ancient Near East, it was a common, though often regrettable, practice for impoverished families to sell a daughter into servitude, typically as a means of debt repayment or survival during hardship. The laws here aim to regulate and mitigate potential abuses within this societal reality, reflecting God's concern for justice and the vulnerable.

Key Themes

• Protection of the Vulnerable: This verse highlights God's specific provision and protection for female servants, who were often in a particularly vulnerable position in ancient society. Unlike male Hebrew servants who were typically released after six years (Exodus 21:2), a maidservant's situation was different.
• Distinction in Servitude: The law distinguishes between the rights and status of male and female servants. A female maidservant sold by her father was not simply a temporary laborer; her servitude often carried the potential for integration into the master's family, either as a concubine or a wife for the master or his son, which elevated her status beyond that of a mere bondservant.
• Social Justice and Regulation: While the practice of "selling" a daughter may seem harsh by modern standards, the Mosaic Law sought to regulate and humanize existing customs, ensuring that even in difficult circumstances, there were legal protections against outright abandonment or cruel treatment. God's law provided a framework for a more just society than was typical in the surrounding cultures.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "maidservant" here is amah (אָמָה), which often denotes a female bondservant or slave, but in this context, it carries a unique implication. The phrase "she shall not go out as the menservants do" refers to the provision in Exodus 21:2, where a male Hebrew servant would be set free after six years. The amah was not released in the same way because her servitude was often intended as a more permanent integration into the household, perhaps as a potential spouse for the master or his son (as elaborated in Exodus 21:8-11), rather than purely for labor.

Significance and Application

Exodus 21:7 reveals God's deep concern for justice and the welfare of the vulnerable, even within the complex social structures of ancient times. It teaches us that God's laws are designed to protect the less powerful and to regulate human behavior, ensuring that even in difficult situations, dignity and basic rights are upheld. For us today, it underscores the enduring biblical principle of caring for those who are marginalized or exploited. It challenges us to look for ways to protect the vulnerable in our own societies and to advocate for laws and practices that reflect compassion and equity, echoing the broader call for justice found throughout scripture (e.g., Micah 6:8).