Exodus 21:11 - If he doesn’t do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money.

Generated Verse: Exodus 21:11

What does "Exodus 21:11" mean?


Exodus 21:11 deals with the laws concerning female Hebrew slaves. The "he" in this verse refers to the master who has acquired a female slave, potentially for himself or for his son. "These three things" refer to the obligations laid out in the previous verses, specifically:

Food: Providing adequate sustenance.
Clothing: Ensuring she has proper attire.
Marital Rights: This is the most complex and debated point. It refers to the requirement that if the master takes her as a concubine or designates her for his son, he cannot deny her marital rights. This means he must treat her as a wife and maintain a proper marital relationship with her, including sexual relations.

If the master fails to provide her with these three things, the verse states that "she may go free without paying any money." This means that she is not required to pay a redemption price or serve out the remainder of her intended servitude. His failure to fulfill his obligations nullifies her status as a slave, and she is free to leave.

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