Exodus 21:7 - “If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do.
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What does "Exodus 21:7" mean?
Exodus 21:7 describes a practice where a father, due to poverty, could sell his daughter into servitude. The verse distinguishes the daughter's rights and obligations from those of a male servant in such a situation. Here's a breakdown of what it likely means, keeping in mind that interpretations vary:
Economic Circumstances: The verse acknowledges the economic reality that extreme poverty could lead a father to sell his daughter into servitude to provide for her and the rest of the family. This was likely seen as a better alternative than starvation or other worse fates.
Distinction from Male Servants: The key point of the verse is that a female servant acquired in this way had different rights than a male servant. The phrase "she shall not go out as the male servants do" likely refers to the laws regarding manumission (release from servitude). Under other laws in Exodus, male Hebrew servants were typically freed in the seventh year of their service (Exodus 21:2). This verse implies that the rules for releasing a female servant were different.
Potential Interpretations of "Not Go Out":
No Automatic Release: A common interpretation is that the female servant was not automatically freed after six years like male servants. Her fate depended on the master's actions and intentions.
Intention of Marriage: Some scholars believe the intention was often that the master or his son would eventually marry the female servant. This would elevate her social status and ensure her long-term security. If the master found her unsuitable as a wife, he had to allow her to be redeemed (bought back) by her family, but he could not sell her to a foreign people (Exodus 21:8).
Protection from Exploitation: The verse, along with the following verses (Exodus 21:8-11), suggests that the law aimed to protect the female servant from exploitation. The master had obligations towards her. If he took her as a wife for himself or his son and then neglected her, he was obligated to let her go free without any payment.
Legal Context (Exodus 21:8-11): It is important to read this verse in conjunction with the following verses in Exodus 21:8-11. These verses provide further details and limitations on the master's rights and the female servant's protections. These verses dictate that if the master (who acquired her as a potential wife) does not like her, he must allow her to be redeemed. He could not sell her to foreigners, showing a level of protection. Further, if the master has taken her as a secondary wife, he has to treat her as his wife or allow her to go free without payment.
In summary, Exodus 21:7 addresses the specific situation of a father selling his daughter into servitude due to poverty. The verse aims to distinguish her rights and obligations from those of male servants, potentially offering her different protections and a path towards a more secure future, possibly through marriage within the household, while also limiting the master's right to treat her solely as property. It emphasizes that she was not to be treated as an ordinary piece of property or subjected to indefinite servitude like a male servant. The broader context of Exodus 21:8-11 highlights the laws intended to prevent her exploitation.
It's also important to remember that this is an ancient law code with cultural norms very different from modern society. Modern ethical standards would condemn the idea of selling a child into servitude, but this verse reflects the harsh realities of ancient times and attempts to offer some protection within that context.
Exodus 21:7 - “If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do.
What does "Exodus 21:7" mean?
Exodus 21:7 describes a practice where a father, due to poverty, could sell his daughter into servitude. The verse distinguishes the daughter's rights and obligations from those of a male servant in such a situation. Here's a breakdown of what it likely means, keeping in mind that interpretations vary:
Economic Circumstances: The verse acknowledges the economic reality that extreme poverty could lead a father to sell his daughter into servitude to provide for her and the rest of the family. This was likely seen as a better alternative than starvation or other worse fates.
Distinction from Male Servants: The key point of the verse is that a female servant acquired in this way had different rights than a male servant. The phrase "she shall not go out as the male servants do" likely refers to the laws regarding manumission (release from servitude). Under other laws in Exodus, male Hebrew servants were typically freed in the seventh year of their service (Exodus 21:2). This verse implies that the rules for releasing a female servant were different.
Potential Interpretations of "Not Go Out":
No Automatic Release: A common interpretation is that the female servant was not automatically freed after six years like male servants. Her fate depended on the master's actions and intentions.
Intention of Marriage: Some scholars believe the intention was often that the master or his son would eventually marry the female servant. This would elevate her social status and ensure her long-term security. If the master found her unsuitable as a wife, he had to allow her to be redeemed (bought back) by her family, but he could not sell her to a foreign people (Exodus 21:8).
Protection from Exploitation: The verse, along with the following verses (Exodus 21:8-11), suggests that the law aimed to protect the female servant from exploitation. The master had obligations towards her. If he took her as a wife for himself or his son and then neglected her, he was obligated to let her go free without any payment.
Legal Context (Exodus 21:8-11): It is important to read this verse in conjunction with the following verses in Exodus 21:8-11. These verses provide further details and limitations on the master's rights and the female servant's protections. These verses dictate that if the master (who acquired her as a potential wife) does not like her, he must allow her to be redeemed. He could not sell her to foreigners, showing a level of protection. Further, if the master has taken her as a secondary wife, he has to treat her as his wife or allow her to go free without payment.
In summary, Exodus 21:7 addresses the specific situation of a father selling his daughter into servitude due to poverty. The verse aims to distinguish her rights and obligations from those of male servants, potentially offering her different protections and a path towards a more secure future, possibly through marriage within the household, while also limiting the master's right to treat her solely as property. It emphasizes that she was not to be treated as an ordinary piece of property or subjected to indefinite servitude like a male servant. The broader context of Exodus 21:8-11 highlights the laws intended to prevent her exploitation.
It's also important to remember that this is an ancient law code with cultural norms very different from modern society. Modern ethical standards would condemn the idea of selling a child into servitude, but this verse reflects the harsh realities of ancient times and attempts to offer some protection within that context.