Exodus 21:8 - If she doesn’t please her master, who has married her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her.

Generated Verse: Exodus 21:8

What does "Exodus 21:8" mean?


Exodus 21:8 deals with the laws concerning Hebrew maidservants, specifically outlining the rights of a father who sells his daughter into servitude. Let's break down the verse:

"If she doesn’t please her master, who has married her to himself...": This refers to a situation where a master has purchased a Hebrew girl with the intention of either marrying her himself or having her marry his son. The "doesn't please" part suggests that she doesn't meet his expectations as a wife or potential daughter-in-law.

"...then he shall let her be redeemed.": If the master decides he doesn't want to marry her (or have his son marry her), he can't simply keep her as a regular slave. He must allow her family (or potentially other members of the community) to buy her freedom (redemption). This gives her a way out of the situation.

"He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people...": The master is prohibited from selling her to foreigners. This is crucial because selling her abroad would effectively remove her from her community, her family, and the protection of Israelite law.

"...since he has dealt deceitfully with her.": This phrase is the key to understanding the intent of the law. The act of selling her to foreigners is considered "dealing deceitfully" because he originally acquired her under the implied or expressed promise of marriage (either to himself or his son). Selling her to foreigners breaks that implied or express promise and treats her unfairly.

In simpler terms, the verse is saying:

If a man buys a Hebrew girl with the intention of marrying her himself or his son, but then changes his mind, he can't sell her as a slave to foreigners. He must allow her to be bought back by her family, as selling her to foreigners would be a betrayal of the original agreement (or implied agreement) that led to her servitude.

Key Points and Interpretations:

Protection for Hebrew Women: The law aims to protect Hebrew women from being exploited and sold into permanent slavery outside of their community.
Ethical Considerations: The verse underscores the importance of honoring agreements and treating individuals with fairness, even within the context of servitude.
Limitations: It's important to note that the verse addresses a specific scenario – a father selling his daughter with the expectation of marriage to the master or his son. It doesn't cover all forms of slavery or servitude.

Historical Context:

It is crucial to understand that the concept of servitude in ancient Israel was different from chattel slavery as practiced in later periods (e.g., in the Americas). Hebrew servitude often involved debt relief or temporary hardship and was governed by laws designed to protect the rights of the servant. However, modern ethical sensibilities often clash with the very idea of owning another person, no matter how "humane" the laws.

In conclusion, Exodus 21:8 is a specific law designed to protect Hebrew women from exploitation in situations where they were sold into servitude with the expectation of marriage. It emphasizes the importance of upholding agreements and treating individuals fairly, even within the framework of the ancient Israelite legal system.

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