Preface: The next few chapters deal with various ordinances and the punishment for their transgression. Most of these laws and ordinances can be traced back to the decalogue. Just as our constitution has provided us a framework upon which to hang our system of government, so have the Ten Commandments provided a framework upon which to hang all correct law. These laws however are not designed by man, but written by God, specifically for nation Israel at that particular time.

The Bible Summary of Exodus 21 (in 140 characters or less): If you buy a Hebrew slave he shall go free in the seventh year. Whoever kills shall be put to death. Whoever injures shall compensate.

There are many chapter commentaries on the book of Exodus. This will be the most extensive examination of Exodus 21, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text. Every attempt has been made to make this both a complete and self-contained study. Therefore, all references, vocabulary, and related concepts should be found within this extensive study. Easy access links to more in-depth studies of some vocabulary words, concepts and doctrines are also provided.

Outline of Chapter 21:

Introduction

         vv.     1–11         The Regulation of Slavery

         vv.    12–27         Regulations Concerning Acts of Violence

         vv.    28–36         Regulations Concerning Livestock

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Exodus 21 (by various commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Exodus 21 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Exodus 21

         Introduction         The Prequel of Exodus 21

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Principals of Exodus 21

         Introduction         The Places of Exodus 21

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         Timeline for Exodus 21

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Exodus 21

         Introduction         Outlines of Exodus 21 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Exodus 21 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Exodus –)

         Introduction         Paragraph Divisions of Modern Translation for Exodus 21

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions (for Exodus 21)

         Introduction 

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         v.       2              Slavery

         v.       4              What if the Master Gives a Slave a Wife?

         v.       6              An Awl (a graphic)

         v.      10              Links to Doctrines on Marriage

         v.      12              What does the Bible say about capital punishment?

         v.      12              Capital Crimes in the Old Testament

         v.      12              The Bible and Capital Punishment

         v.      12              CAPITAL PUNISHMENT What Does the Bible Teach on this Vital Subject? (By George Zeller)

         v.      21              Abortion

         v.      27              The Abbreviated Doctrine of Slavery

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Exodus 21 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Exodus 21

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Exodus 21

         Summary            Shmoop Summary of Exodus 21

         Summary            Edersheim Summarizes Exodus 21

         Summary 

         Addendum          Josephus’ History of this Time Period

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Exodus 21

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Exodus 21

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Exodus 21

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An Introduction to Exodus 21

I ntroduction: With Exodus 21, we begin an exposition of the study of the various laws which God gave to Israel. Now, the purpose of this study is not to put us under the Law of Moses. Christians are not called in every country to impose these laws in their country, but to understand them and the essence of God through the study of them.

Whereas, the Ten Commandments of essentially universal laws which work in any society in any age, these other laws are very specifically written for this point in time, in human history, in nation Israel. Now, if during this time, other nations copied Israel, then they would have enjoyed great blessing as well.

A society, in any era, which seeks to codify the Ten Commandments as fundamental law principles, will be prospered and blessed. On the other hand, when it comes to the additional 600+ laws laid out in the books of Moses, there are very important principles to learn, digest and apply; but this does not mean that all of these laws are appropriate to our society as written.

Unless you are unduly influenced by liberalism, you understand that the United States is one of the greatest, freest and most prosperous nations of all time. So much of that is tied directly to God and all that God has done on our behalf; and so many people in the United States have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ; and a significant number of Americans (not enough) are growing in grace and doctrine.

Any nation today could look at the United States, at our government, at our founding; and study the principles associated with our founding. And then try to duplicate it. There is a lot to love about the United States Constitution; but, it another nation tried to duplicate our nation apart from the spiritual factor, then there would be little or no blessing come to that country. If you want a nation with blessing and freedom, the key is the spiritual factor. You get the spiritual factor right, and everything else will fall into place.

When Israel believed most strongly in God and followed and kept His laws and commandments, Israel prospered. When people rejected God—His Word or His prophets—then Israel endured greater discipline, more problems and far less happiness.

In the era that this was written (Moses writing down the very words of God), this was studied and adhered to. These made up the laws of the land. These were very relevant to a well-ordered life.

The Bible student today is going to have, perhaps, a different reaction. First off, let me assure you that God does not want Christians (or Jews) to gather into groups here or there in the world and reestablish a city or a nation which adheres to the laws found in these final chapters of Exodus. Whereas, there is a religion today which wants its people to adhere to a very specific law code written hundreds of years ago, this is not what we get from studying this chapter.

On the other hand, do not so quickly throw this chapter aside, finding fault with the recorded laws because you do not think anyone should own a slave at any time for any reason. There are degrees of slavery, and there are more slaves today than during the time of Moses (many would consider those born into communism slaves of the state). This is not a book of completely outdated laws and regulations. Try to understand what these laws meant to the people and how they understood them and applied them to their culture; then try to take from these laws applications which are pertinent to life today.

Throughout the books of Moses, when studying the Old Testament laws, we should always try to understand them in terms of the laws of divine establishment.

Timeline for Exodus 21

From this point forward, through the next 3 chapters, are a set of regulations or judicial decisions which God will make. Logically, these are based upon the principles of the Ten Commandments.

The next 11 chapters (Exodus 21–31) are going to be devoted to laws for nation Israel. Moses will be gone for a very long time while he writes these laws down. Exodus 20:22–23:33 are given all at once, apparently at one sitting.

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This sentence introduces chapters 21–23, which is a series of laws and regulations. Many would begin this section with Exodus 20:21 or 22 (Exodus 20:22–26 are laws regarding the worship of God).

The Regulation of Slavery

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       Note: I compare the Hebrew text to English translations of the Latin, Syriac (= Aramaic) and Greek texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation; George Lamsa’s translation, and Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton’s translation as revised and edited by Paul W. Esposito, respectively. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.). I often use the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible instead of Brenton’s translation, because it updates the English text.

The Septuagint was the earliest known translation of a book (circa 200 b.c.). Since this translation was made before the textual criticism had been developed into a science and because different books appear to be translated by different men, the Greek translation can sometimes be very uneven.

When there are serious disparities between my translation and Brenton’s (or the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible), I look at the Greek text of the Septuagint (the LXX) to see if a substantive difference actually exists (and I reflect these changes in the English rendering of the Greek text). I use the Greek LXX with Strong’s numbers and morphology available for e-sword. The only problem with this resource (which is a problem for similar resources) is, there is no way to further explore Greek verbs which are not found in the New Testament. Although I usually quote the Complete Apostles’ Bible here, I have begun to make changes in the translation when their translation conflicts with the Greek and note what those changes are.

The Masoretic text is the Hebrew text with all of the vowels (vowel points) inserted (the original Hebrew text lacked vowels). We take the Masoretic text to be the text closest to the original. However, differences between the Masoretic text and the Greek, Latin and Syriac are worth noting and, once in a great while, represent a more accurate text possessed by those other ancient translators.

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The comparisons which I do are primarily between the English translations which are taken from the ancient tongues. For the most part, the variances are so minor that I rarely investigate them any further than that.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Bracketed portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are words, letters and phrases lost in the scroll due to various types of damage. Underlined words or phrases are those in the Dead Sea Scrolls but not in the Masoretic text.

I will only list the translation from the Dead Sea Scrolls if it exists and if it is different from the Masoretic text.

The Targum of Onkelos is actually the Pentateuchal Targumim, which are The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan Ben Uzziel. On the Pentateuch With The Fragments of the Jerusalem Targum From the Chaldee by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. From http://www.becomingjewish.org/texts/targum/onkelos_Exodus.html and first published in 1862.

Occasionally, there is an obvious error in the English translation, and I correct those without additional mention or footnoting. For instance, the online version of the Targum of Onkelos which I use has gorund in Ex. 4:9; I simply corrected the text. This may occur once or twice in a chapter.

I attempt to include translations which are different in their vocabulary and phrasing. On many occasions, I may include a translation which is not substantially different than another listed translation.

Most of the translations can be found here.

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        And these [are] the judgements which you will set to their faces:...

Dead Sea Scrolls                   .

Targum (Onkelos)                  MISHPATIM.

AND these are the judgments which thou shalt set In order before them. Translation for Onkelos and Pseudo-Jonathan by J. W. Etheridge, M.A. (1862).

Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan)   MISHPATIM.

AND these are the orders of judgments which thou shalt order before them.

Jerusalem targum                  .

Revised Douay-Rheims         These are the judgments which you shall set before them.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) .

Aramaic ESV of Peshitta        "Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them.

Lamsa’s Peshitta (Syriac)     .

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     NOW these are the judgments which you shall set before them.

Updated Brenton (Greek)       And these are the ordinances which thou shalt set before them.

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             .

Easy English                          Israelite slaves

These are the laws that you must put in front of the Israelites:...

Easy-to-Read Version–2003  {Then God said to Moses,} "These are the other laws that you will give to the people:...

Easy-to-Read Version–2006  Other Laws and Commands

Then God said to Moses, “These are the other laws that you will give to the people:...

God’s Word™                         Laws Concerning the Treatment of Slaves

The Lord continued, “Here are the legal decisions to be used by the Israelites:...

The Message                         .

Names of God Bible               .

NIRV                                      Other Laws

“Here are the laws you must explain to the people of Israel.

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Contemporary English V.       The LORD gave Moses the following laws for his people:...

The Living Bible                     “Here are other laws you must obey:...

New Berkeley Version           .

New Life Version                    Laws about Servants

“Now these are the Laws which you are to give them.

New Living Translation           Fair Treatment of Slaves

“These are the regulations you must present to Israel.

Unlocked Dynamic Bible        “Here are some other instructions to give to the Israelite people.

Unfolding Bible (simplified)    .

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          ‘Now, these are the Laws that you are to show to them:...

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           Instructions about slaves

These are the case laws that you should set before them:...

New Advent (Knox) Bible       And these laws, he said, thou shalt promulgate to them.[1]

[1] The code of laws which occupies this and the two following chapters was known as the Book of the Covenant.

Translation for Translators                        Instructions for treating slaves

“Here are some other instructions to give to the Israeli people:...

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Conservapedia                       Now these are the laws that you will give them to live under.

Literally, "these are the judgments you shall place before their faces."

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                The Law of Social Life.

Now these are the decrees which you shall put before them :...

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           These are the laws which you shall set before you.

HCSB                                     .

International Standard V        Laws Concerning Servants

“These are the ordinances that you are to set before them.

Jubilee Bible 2000                  Now these are the rights which thou shalt set before them.

Lexham English Bible            Regulations Regarding Hebrew Slaves

"And these are the regulations that you will set before them.

NIV, ©2011                             .

Unfolding Bible Literal Text    .

Unlocked Literal Bible            “Now these are the decrees that you must set before them:...

Urim-Thummim Version         Now these are the ordinances that you will establish for them.

Wikipedia Bible Project          .

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  .

The Heritage Bible                 And these are the judgments which you shall put before their face.

New American Bible (2002)   "These are the rules you shall lay before them.

Rules: judicial precedents to be used in settling questions of law and custom. This introductory phrase serves as the title of the following collection of civil and religious laws (Exodus 21-23) which is called in ⇒ Exodus 24:7, the book of the covenant.

New English Bible–1970        Treatment of Slaves.

These are the laws you shall set before them:...

New Jerusalem Bible             'These are the laws you must give them:...

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           Parashah 18: Mishpatim (Rulings) 21:1–24:18

“These are the rulings you are to present to them:...

exeGeses companion Bible   JUDGMENTS FOR SERVANTS

Now set these judgments at their face:...

Hebraic Roots Bible               .

Israeli Authorized Version      .

JPS (Tanakh—1985)               .

Judaica Press Complete T.    .

Kaplan Translation                 Laws: The Hebrew Slave

These are the laws that you must set before [the Israelites]:... The Kaplan Translation, particularly in Exodus through Deuteronomy, takes note of historic rabbinic opinions.

The Scriptures 1998              “These are the right-rulings which you are to set before them:...

Tree of Life Version                Parashat Mishpatim

Ordinances for the Covenant

“Now these are the ordinances which you will set before them.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Alpha & Omega Bible            AND THESE ARE THE ORDINANCES WHICH YOU SHALL SET BEFORE THEM. †(Ordinances: G1345, This word refers to temporary old covenant ordinances, done away by the New Covenant Blood & Body of JESUS The Christ. The Ten Commandments, 7th Day Commanded Rest & Assembly, and the annual Festivals/Holy Days are Laws established from creation UNTIL the next recreation of the New universe/heavens & New Earth, NOT temporary ordinances. See Exo_12:43, Mat_5:17 to Mat_5:48. The "laws" that Paul preached about being done away with are NOT really laws but should be translated as ordinances. He correctly preached against old covenant ordinances. But he did NOT preach against the Ten Commandments, 7th Day Rest & annual Festivals days or tithes. Paul observed The Law of JESUS).

Awful Scroll Bible                   The judgments you was to place turned before them are:...

Charles Thompson OT           .

Concordant Literal Version    Now these are the judgments which you shall place before them.

Darby Translation (1889)       .

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Orthodox Jewish Bible           [MISHPATIM]

Now these are the mishpatim which thou shalt set before them.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. Now, these are the regulations which thou shalt put before them.

Third Millennium Bible            .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                Ordinances for the People

“Now these are the ordinances (laws) which you shall set before the Israelites:...

The Expanded Bible              Laws for Living

Then God said to Moses, “These are the ·laws for living [regulations] that you will ·give to the Israelites [^L set before them]:...

Kretzmann’s Commentary    Verses 1-11

Precepts Regulating the Master's Relation to Slaves

Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. These were special ordinances concerning the political commonwealth of the Jews. In the New Testament God's revelation is no longer confined to one single people, and we no longer have any state under the direct government of God. And yet, also these ordinances were recorded for our learning, especially for the purpose of teaching us various applications of the law of love.

Syndein/Thieme                     .

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

The Complete Tanach           And these are the ordinances that you shall set before them.

The Geneva Bible                  .

Kaplan Translation                 .

NET Bible®                             The Decisions

“These are the decisions that you will set before them:...

^1sn There follows now a series of rulings called “the decisions” or “the judgments” (הַמִּשְפָּטִים, hammishpatim). A precept is stated, and then various cases in which the law is applicable are examined. These rulings are all in harmony with the Decalogue that has just been given and can be grouped into three categories: civil or criminal laws, religious or cultic laws, and moral or humanitarian laws. The civil and criminal laws make up most of chap. 21; the next two chapters mix the other kinds of laws. Among the many studies of this section of the book are F. C. Fensham, “The Role of the Lord in the Legal Sections of the Covenant Code,” VT 26 (1976): 262-74; S. Paul, “Unrecognized Biblical Legal Idioms in Light of Comparative Akkadian Expressions,” RB 86 (1979): 231-39; M. Galston, “The Purpose of the Law According to Maimonides,” JQR 69 (1978): 27-51.

New American Bible (2011)             Laws Regarding Slaves.

These are the ordinances* you shall lay before them.

* [21:1] Ordinances: judicial precedents to be used in settling questions of law and custom. More than half of the civil and religious laws in this collection (20:22–23:33), designated in 24:7 as “the book of the covenant,” have parallels in the cuneiform laws of the ancient Near East. It is clear that Israel participated in a common legal culture with its neighbors.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Brenner’s Mechanical Trans....and these are the decisions which you will place <in front of> them,...

C. Thompson LXX (updated) And these are the rules of rectitude which thou shalt set before them.

Context Group Version          .

English Standard Version      Laws About Slaves

“Now these are the rules that you shall set before them.

Green’s Literal Translation    And these are the judgments which you shall put before them:...

Modern English Version         The Law About Servants

Now these are the judgments which you will set before them.

Modern Literal Version           .

New European Version          Regulations about Servants

Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them.

New King James Version       The Law Concerning Servants

“Now these are the judgments [ordinances] which you shall set before them:...

Niobi Study Bible                   .

Owen's Translation                .

Restored Holy Bible 6.0         .

Updated Bible Version 2.11   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Bible Translation  .

World English Bible                .

Young's Literal Translation     .

Young’s Updated LT             "Now these are the judgments which you will set before them:...

The gist of this passage:     The is the introductory sentence to the next 3 chapters.

Translation: Now these [are] the judgments [or, judicial decisions] that you will place before them:...

One of the more common words in the Pentateuch is the word mîsh^epâţîym (מִשְפָּטִים) [pronounced mish^e-paw-TEEM] and it is generally translated laws, ordinances, judgements. These are the specifics and the applications of the Ten Commandments. They carry with them punishments and what if's. The Emphasized Bible gives the possible translation divine applications of law to actual life. A one-word translation is just not enough to convey what is here.

In this verse, God is continuing His conversation with Moses; Moses is possibly taking dictation at this point. It is reasonable to suppose that they are going to write these things in the book, alluded to in Ex. 17:14.

Exodus 21:1 Now these [are] the judgments [or, judicial decisions] that you will place before them:...

Exodus 21:1 Now these are the judgments that you will place before the sons of Israel:...

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Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        If you buy a servant Hebrew, six years he will serve and in the seventh, he will go out for free for nothing. If in himself he comes in, in himself he will go out. If a lord [or, owner] of a woman, he, and has gone out his woman with him. If his lord [= adonai; or, master] will give to him a woman and she has born to him sons or daughters, the wife (and her children) will be to her lord [or, master] and he will go out in himself. And if saying he says the slave, “I have loved my lord [or, master], my woman and my children, I will not go out free.” And has brought him his lord [or, master] unto the Elohim [= elohim; or, the judges] and he has brought him near unto the door and unto the doorpost and has bored through his lord [or, master] his ear with the awl, and he has served him to forever.

Dead Sea Scrolls                   .

Jerusalem targum                  .

Targum (Onkelos)                  When thou dost purchase a servant, a son of Israel, six years he shall serve, and in the seventh go forth free, for nothing. If he came in alone, he shall go out alone; if the husband of a wife, his wife shall go out with him. If his master have given him a wife, and she have borne him sons or daughters, the wife and the children are the master's, and he shall go out alone. But if the servant saying shall say, I love my master, my wife and my children, I will not go out free; his master shall bring him before the judges, and shall take him to the door, even to the post, and his master shall bore his ear with an awl; and he shall be to him a working servant for ever.

Targum (Pseudo-Jonathan)   If thou shalt have bought a son of Israel, on account of his theft, six years he shall serve, and at the incoming of the seventh he shall go out free without price. If he came in alone, he shall go out alone: but if (he be) the husband of a wife, a daughter of Israel, his wife shall go out with him. If his master give him a wife, an handmaid, and she bear him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to his master, and he may go out alone. But if the servant shall affirm and say, I love my master, my wife, and my children, (and) I will not go out free, then his master shall bring him before the judges, and shall receive from them the power, and bring him to the door that hath posts; and his master shall pierce his right ear with an awl; and he shall be a servant to serve him until the jubela.

Revised Douay-Rheims         If you buy a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve you: in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. With what raiment he came in, with the like let him go out: if having a wife, his wife also shall go out with him. But if his master gave him a wife, and she has borne sons and daughters: the woman and her children shall be her master's: but he himself shall go out with his raiment. And if the servant shall say: I love my master and my wife and children, I will not go out free: His master shall bring him to the gods, and he shall be set to the door and the posts, and he shall bore his ear through with an awl: and he shall be his servant for ever.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) .

Aramaic ESV of Peshitta        "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years and in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything. If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself. If he is married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. But if the servant shall plainly say, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go out free;' then his master shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him for ever.

V. Alexander’s Aramaic T.     .

Plain English Aramaic Bible   .

Lamsa’s Peshitta (Syriac)     When you buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve you; and in the seventh year he shall go out free from your house without price. If he came in single, he shall go out single; if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master has given him a wife and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be his masters and he shall go out alone. And if the servant shall say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free; Then his master shall bring him to the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or to the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him for ever.

Updated Brenton (Greek)       If you buy a Hebrew servant, six years will he serve you, and in the seventh year he will go forth free for nothing. If he should have come in alone, he will also go forth alone; and if his wife should have gone in together with him, his wife also will go out. Moreover, if his master give him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters, the wife and the children will be his master”s; and he will go forth alone. And if the servant should answer and say, I love my master and wife and children, I will not go away free; his master will bring him to the judgment-seat of God, and then will he bring him to the door, —to the door-post, and his master will bore his ear through with an awl, and he will serve him for ever.

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             If you get a Hebrew servant for money, he is to be your servant for six years, and in the seventh year you are to let him go free without payment. If he comes to you by himself, let him go away by himself: if he is married, let his wife go away with him. If his master gives him a wife, and he gets sons or daughters by her, the wife and her children will be the property of the master, and the servant is to go away by himself. But if the servant says clearly, My master and my wife and children are dear to me; I have no desire to be free: Then his master is to take him to the gods of the house, and at the door, or at its framework, he is to make a hole in his ear with a sharp-pointed instrument; and he will be his servant for ever.

Easy English                          If you buy an Israelite slave, he must work for you for six years. But in the seventh year he is a free man. He can leave you. He does not have to pay you any money. If he came to you alone, he is free to leave alone. If he came with a wife, she can leave with him. But if his master gives him a wife, she is her master's slave. And if she has had children, they are also her master's slaves. Only the husband can leave the master.

But perhaps the slave may say: “I love my master, my wife and my children. I will not go away like a free man!” Then his master must take him in front of the judges. He must lead him to the door, or to the edge of the door. There the master must push the sharp point of a tool through the slave's ear. Then he will always be his master's slave.

Easy-to-Read Version–2001  .

Easy-to-Read Version–2006  “If you buy a Hebrew [Or “Israelite.”] slave, then that slave will serve for only six years. After six years, he will be free, and he will have to pay nothing. If he is not married when he becomes your slave, when he becomes free, he will leave without a wife. But if the man is married when he becomes your slave, then he will keep his wife at the time he is made free. If the slave is not married, the master can give him a wife. If that wife gives birth to sons or daughters, she and her children will belong to the master. After the slave is finished with his years of service, he will be made free.

God’s Word™                         .

Good News Bible (TEV)         The Treatment of Slaves

“Give the Israelites the following laws: If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve you for six years. In the seventh year he is to be set free without having to pay anything. If he was unmarried when he became your slave, he is not to take a wife with him when he leaves; but if he was married when he became your slave, he may take his wife with him. If his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the woman and her children belong to the master, and the man is to leave by himself. But if the slave declares that he loves his master, his wife, and his children and does not want to be set free, then his master shall take him to the place of worship. There he is to make him stand against the door or the doorpost and put a hole through his ear. Then he will be his slave for life. V. 1 is included for context.

The Message                         .

Names of God Bible               “Whenever you buy a Hebrew slave, he will be your slave for six years. In the seventh year he may leave as a free man, without paying for his freedom. If he comes to you by himself, he must leave by himself. If he comes as a married man, his wife may leave with him. If his master gives him a wife and she gives birth to sons or daughters, the wife and her children belong to the master, and the slave must leave by himself. But if he makes this statement: ‘I hereby declare my love for my master, my wife, and my children. I don’t want to leave as a free man,’ then his master must bring him to Elohim. The master must bring him to the door or the doorframe and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his slave for life.

NIRV                                      Set Your Hebrew Servants Free

“Suppose you buy a Hebrew servant. He must serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, you must set him free. He does not have to pay anything. If he does not have a wife when he comes, he must go free alone. But if he has a wife when he comes, she must go with him. Suppose his master gives him a wife. And suppose she has sons or daughters by him. Then only the man will go free. The woman and her children will belong to her master.

“But suppose the servant says, ‘I love my master and my wife and children. I don’t want to go free.’ Then his master must take him to the judges. His master must take him to the door or doorpost of his master’s house. His master must poke a hole through his servant’s earlobe into the door or doorpost. Then he will become his servant for life.

New Simplified Bible              »When you buy a Hebrew slave he will be your slave for six years. In the seventh year he may leave as a free man without paying for his freedom. »If he was single at the time you bought him he alone must be set free. If he was married at that time, both he and his wife must be given their freedom. »If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master. He shall go out alone. »What if the slave loves his wife and children so much that he will not leave without them? »He must stand beside either the door or the doorpost at the place of worship. His owner will punch a small hole through one of his ears with a sharp metal rod. This makes him a slave for life.

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible             .

College Press Bible Study     .

Contemporary English V.       If you buy a Hebrew slave, he must remain your slave for six years. But in the seventh year you must set him free, without cost to him. If he was single at the time you bought him, he alone must be set free. But if he was married at the time, both he and his wife must be given their freedom. If you give him a wife, and they have children, only the man himself must be set free; his wife and children remain the property of his owner. But suppose the slave loves his wife and children so much that he won't leave without them. Then he must stand beside either the door or the doorpost at the place of worship, while his owner punches a small hole through one of his ears with a sharp metal rod. This makes him a slave for life.

The Living Bible                     “If you buy a Hebrew slave, [that is, “If he owes you money and defaults in the payment, and thus becomes your slave.”] he shall serve only six years and be freed in the seventh year, and need pay nothing to regain his freedom.

“If he sold himself as a slave before he married, then if he married afterwards, only he shall be freed; but if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife shall be freed with him at the same time. But if his master gave him a wife while he was a slave, and they have sons or daughters, the wife and children shall still belong to the master, and he shall go out by himself free.

“But if the man shall plainly declare, ‘I prefer my master, my wife, and my children, and I would rather not go free,’ then his master shall bring him before the judges and shall publicly bore his ear with an awl, and after that he will be a slave forever.

New Berkeley Version           .

New Life Version                    If you buy a Hebrew servant, he will work for six years. In the seventh year he will go free, paying nothing. If he comes alone, he will leave by himself. If he is married, then his wife will leave with him. If his owner gives him a wife and she gives birth to his sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her owner, and he will leave by himself. But if the servant says, ‘I love my owner, my wife and my children; I do not care to go free,’ then his owner will bring him to the judges. And he will bring him to the door or the side of the door. There his owner will make a hole in his ear with a sharp object. And he will serve him all his life.

New Living Translation           .

Unlocked Dynamic Bible        When you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve you for only six years. In the seventh year you must free him from being your slave, and he does not have to pay you anything for setting him free. If he was not married before he became your slave, and if he marries someone while he is your slave, his wife is not to be set free with him. But if he was married before he became your slave, you must free both him and his wife. If the master of a slave gives him a wife, and she gives birth to sons or daughters while her husband is a slave, only the man is to be freed. His wife and children will continue to be slaves of their master. But when it is time for the slave to be set free, if the slave says, ‘I love my master and my wife and my children, and I do not want to be set free,’ then his master must take him to the place where they worship God. There he must make the slave stand against the door or the doorpost. Then the master will use an awl to make a hole in the slave’s ear and fasten something to the slave’s ear to show that he will own that slave for the rest of his life.

Unfolding Bible Simplified      .

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          ‘If you buy a Hebrew slave, he may only serve you for six years; for in the seventh year, he must be set free without cost. If he comes alone, he must leave alone; but if his woman comes with him, his woman must also leave with him. However, if his master gives him a woman and she gives birth to sons or daughters; she and her children belong to the master, so [the slave] will leave alone. But if the slave should say, I love my master, my woman, and my children, so I don’t want to leave free; his master should bring him to the judgment-seat of God and take him up to the door, where he will use an awl to punch [a hole through] his ear against the doorframe, [to signify] that he will serve [his master] through the age.

Beck’s American Translation .

Common English Bible           When you buy a male Hebrew slave, he will serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he will go free without any payment. If he came in single, he will leave single. If he came in married, then his wife will leave with him. If his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master. He will leave single. However, if the slave clearly states, “I love my master, my wife, and my children, and I don’t want to go free,” then his master will bring him before God. He will bring him to the door or the doorpost. There his master will pierce his ear with a pointed tool, and he will serve him as his slave for life.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       If thou dost buy a slave that is a Hebrew by race, he shall do thee six years’ service, and in the seventh year, without any ransom paid, he shall go free. He shall leave thy service in the same guise in which he entered it;[2] if he came to thee married, his wife shall go free with him. But if his master has assigned a wife to him, and she has borne sons and daughters, this woman and her children shall belong to the master; the slave shall go free in the same guise as before. It may be that the slave, for love of his master, and of his own wife and children, will refuse to take his leave; if so, his master shall bring him before the judgement-seat, and then fasten his ear with an auger to door or door-post, in token that the man is his slave in perpetuity.[3]

[2] ‘In the same guise’; the Latin here translates as if it were a question of the slave’s clothing. But the meaning of the Hebrew text is, that if the slave entered service all by himself, he is to leave it all by himself; and so also in verse 4.

[3] ‘Before the judgement-seat’; literally, ‘before the gods’, perhaps meaning ‘before the judges’; cf. Psalms 81.6.

Translation for Translators     When/If you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve you for only six years. In the seventh year you must free him from being your slave, and he is not required to pay you anything for setting him free. If he was not married before he became your slave, and if he marries someone while he is your slave, his wife is not to be set free with him. But if he was married before he became your slave, you must free both him and his wife. If a slave's master gives him a wife, and she gives birth to sons or daughters while her husband is a slave, only the man is to be freed. His wife and children will continue to be slaves of their master. But when it is time for the slave to be set free, if the slave says, ‘I love my master and my wife and my children, and I do not want to be set free,’ then his master must take him to the place where they worship God (OR, to the owner's house). There he must make the slave stand against the door or the doorpost. Then the master will use an ◂awl/pointed metal rod► to make a hole in the slave's ear. Then he will fasten a tag to the slave's ear to indicate that ◂he will own that slave for the rest of his life/he will own the slave as long as the slave lives►.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Alpha & Omega Bible            .

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    If you buy a Hebrew slave, he will serve you for six years, and in the seventh year he will be free again [Slaves are normally not to remain slaves forever. Note the term: six years, corresponding to the six days of creation.] and owe you nothing. If he came in single, he will go out single; if he had a wife, then his wife will go out with him. If his master gives him a wife, and she gave birth to sons or daughters for him, then the wife and her children will still belong to the master, and he will go out single. Now if the slave is willing to say [The Hebrew repeats the verb "to say" for emphasis.] directly, "I love my master, my wife, and my children, and I would rather not reclaim my freedom," then his master will bring him to the judges, and will also bring him close to the door, or to the door jamb. There his mater will bore his ear through with an awl, and he will serve him for the rest of his life. Literally, "serve him for eon." Greek has the same idiom.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                A servant shall servo six years’ servitude, and in the seventh he shall go out to freedom. If he is single, he shall go out single; if he has a wife, his wife shall go out with him. But if his master has given him a. wife, and she has borne sons or daughters to him, the wife and her children which she has borne shall belong to the master, and he shall go away single. If, however, the servant says, ‘I like my master, my wife, and my children} he shall not go into freedom; but his master shall present him to the magistrates, and station him at the door, or at the door·posts, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve continuously.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           If you buy a servant that is an Hebrew, six years he shall serve, and the seventh he shall go out free paying nothing. If he came alone, he shall go out alone: If he came married, his wife shall go out with him. And if his master have given him a wife and she have borne him sons or daughters: then the wife and her children shall be her masters and he shall go out alone. But and if the servant say I love my master and my wife and my children, I will not go out free. Then let his master bring him unto the *gods and set him to the door or the doorpost, and bore his ear through with an nail, and let him be his servant forever. *gods; marginal note: Godly judges and princes who settled matters according to Godly law.

HCSB                                     Laws about Slaves

“When you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve for six years; then in the seventh he is to leave as a free man [Lit to go forth] without paying anything. If he arrives alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrives with [Lit he is the husband of] a wife, his wife is to leave with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children belong to her master, and the man must leave alone.

“But if the slave declares: ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I do not want to leave as a free man,’ his master is to bring him to the judges [Or to God; that is, to His sanctuary or court] and then bring him to the door or doorpost. His master must pierce his ear with an awl, and he will serve his master for life.

International Standard V        .

Jubilee Bible 2000                  .

H. C. Leupold                         .

Lexham English Bible            'If you buy a Hebrew slave, he will serve six years, and in the seventh he will go out as free for nothing. If he comes in single, he will go out single. If he is the husband of a wife, his wife will go out with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears for him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master, and [the slave] will go out single. But if the slave explicitly says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free," his master will present him to God and bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master will pierce his ear with an awl, and he will serve him forever.

NIV, ©2011                             Hebrew Servants

“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.

“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ then his master must take him before the judges. [Or before God] He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.

Peter Pett’s translation          .

Unfolding Bible Literal Text    .

Unlocked Literal Bible            ’If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve for six years, and in the seventh year he will go free without paying anything. If he came by himself, he must go free by himself; if he is married, then his wife must go free with him. If his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master, and he must go free by himself. But if the servant plainly says, “I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,”then his master must bring him to God. The master must bring him to a door or doorpost, and his master must bore his ear through with an awl. Then the servant will serve him for the rest of his life.

Urim-Thummim Version         If you acquire a Hebrew slave, 6 years he will serve but in the 7th he will go out as a freeman for nothing. If he came in by himself he will go out by himself, if he was a husband then his woman will go out with him. If his master has given him a woman and she has gendered him sons or daughters, the woman and her children will be her master's and he will go out by himself. But if the slave will plainly say, I love my master, my woman and my children and I will not go out as a freeman. Then his master will bring him to the judges and he will also bring him to the door, or to the door post and his master will pierce his ear through with a boring instrument, and he will serve him for the ages.

Wikipedia Bible Project          If you buy a Hebrew slave, six years he will work, and on the seventh he will leave free, at no cost. If he came single, he will leave singly, if he is a man with wife, and his wife will leave with him. If his master will give him a wife, and she bore him sons or daughters, the woman and her sons will be to her master, and he will leave singly. And if says the slave, he says: "I have loved my master and my wife and my sons. I will not leave free." And his master submitted him to God, and he submitted him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master will drill his ear through with an awl, and he is his slave forever.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  .

The Heritage Bible                 If you set up a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and he shall go out in the seventh free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he were lord of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. If his lord has given him a wife, and she has born him sons or daughters, the wife, and her children shall be her lord’s, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant, saying, shall say, I love my lord, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free, Then his lord shall bring him near to God; he shall also bring him near to the door or to the door post, and his lord shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

New American Bible (2002)   When you purchase a Hebrew slave, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall be given his freedom without cost. If he comes into service alone, he shall leave alone; if he comes with a wife, his wife shall leave with him. But if his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall remain the master's property and the man shall leave alone. If, however, the slave declares, 'I am devoted to my master and my wife and children; I will not go free,' ² his master shall bring him to God and there, at the door or doorpost, he shall pierce his ear with an awl, thus keeping him as his slave forever.

2 [6] To God: to the sanctuary; or perhaps the phrase is to be rendered, "to the gods," in the sense of "to the judges." Cf ⇒ Psalm 82:1. Since the expression "to have an open ear" meant "to obey," a pierced ear lobe was an ancient symbol of obedience. Cf ⇒ Psalm 40:7.

New English Bible–1970        .

New Jerusalem Bible             'When you buy a Hebrew slave, his service will last for six years. In the seventh year he will leave a free man without paying compensation. If he came single, he will depart single; if he came married, his wife will depart with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master, and he will depart alone. But if the slave says, "I love my master and my wife and children; I do not wish to be freed," then his master will bring him before God and then, leading him to the door or the doorpost, his master will pierce his ear with an awl, and the slave will be permanently his.

New RSV                               When you buy a male Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, but in the seventh he shall go out a free person, without debt. If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's and he shall go out alone. But if the slave declares, "I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out a free person," then his master shall bring him before God. He shall be brought to the door or the doorpost; and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him for life.

Revised English Bible–1989   When you purchase a Hebrew as a slave, he will be your slave for six years; in the seventh year he is to go free without paying anything. If he comes to you alone, he is to go away alone; but if he is already a married man, his wife is to go away with him. If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman with her children belongs to her master, and the man must go away alone. But if the slave should say, “I am devoted to my master and my wife and children; I do not wish to go free,” then his master must bring him to God: he is to be brought to the door or the doorpost, and his master will pierce his ear with an awl; the man will then be his slave for life.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           “If you purchase a Hebrew slave, he is to work six years; but in the seventh, he is to be given his freedom without having to pay anything. If he came single, he is to leave single; if he was married when he came, his wife is to go with him when he leaves. But if his master gave him a wife, and she bore him sons or daughters, then the wife and her children will belong to her master, and he will leave by himself. Nevertheless, if the slave declares, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children, so I don’t want to go free,’ then his master is to bring him before God; and there at the door or doorpost, his master is to pierce his ear with an awl; and the man will be his slave for life.

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he comes in with his body, he shall go out with his body. If he was the husband of a wife, his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife, and she bears sons or daughters to him, the wife and her children shall belong to her master; and he shall go out with his body. And if the slave truly says, I love my master, my wife and my children; I do not desire to go out free, his master shall bring him to Elohim, and one shall bring him to the door, or to the doorpost; and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.

Israeli Authorized Version      .

The Israel Bible (beta)            .

JPS (Tanakh—1985)               .

Kaplan Translation                 .

The Scriptures 1998              “When you buy a Heb?rew servant, he serves six years, and in the seventh he goes out free, for naught.

“If he comes in by himself, he goes out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him.

“If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children are her master’s, and he goes out by himself.

“And if the servant truly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children, let me not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him before Elohim, and shall bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl. And he shall serve him forever.

Tree of Life Version                .

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Alpha & Omega Bible            IF YOU BUY A HEBREW SERVANT, SIX YEARS SHALL HE SERVE YOU, AND IN THE SEVENTH YEAR HE SHALL GO FORTH FREE FOR NOTHING. IF HE SHOULD HAVE COME IN ALONE, HE SHALL ALSO GO FORTH ALONE; AND IF HIS WIFE SHOULD HAVE GONE IN TOGETHER WITH HIM, HIS WIFE ALSO SHALL GO OUT. MOREOVER, IF HIS MASTER GIVE HIM A WIFE, AND SHE HAVE BORN HIM SONS OR DAUGHTERS, THE WIFE AND THE CHILDREN SHALL BE HIS MASTER'S; AND HE SHALL GO FORTH ALONE. AND IF THE SERVANT SHOULD ANSWER AND SAY, ‘I LOVE MY MASTER AND WIFE AND CHILDREN, I WILL NOT GO AWAY FREE’; HIS MASTER SHALL BRING HIM TO THE JUDGMENT-SEAT OF THE THEOS (Alpha & Omega), AND THEN SHALL HE BRING HIM TO THE DOOR,― TO THE DOOR-POST, AND HIS MASTER SHALL BORE HIS EAR THROUGH WITH AN AWL, AND HE SHALL SERVE HIM FOR EVER.

Awful Scroll Bible                   Were yous to buy a Hebrew slave, six years he was to serve, and in the seventh, he was to go out free, graciously. Was he to come in by himself, he was to go out by himself. Was he a husband to a wife, his wife was to go out with him. Was his master to give him a wife, and she is to have bore forth sons and daughters, the wife and the children is his master's; even was he to go out by himself. Was the slave to say: I am to have loved you master, and the wife and children - was I to go out being freed? - His master is to have drawn near to he of mighty ones, and he is to have been brought to a door, even the doorpost, and his master is to have pierced, his ear with an awl, even is he, to have served him continually.

Charles Thompson OT           .

Concordant Literal Version    When you buy a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve you, and in the seventh he shall go forth free gratuitously. If by himself he came, by himself he shall go forth. If he was the possessor of a wife, then his wife will go forth with him. Yet if his lord should give him a wife, and she bears for him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall become her lord's, and he may go forth by himself. Yet if the servant should say, yea say, I love my lord, my wife and my sons; I shall not go forth free, then his lord will bring him close to the elohim, and bring him close to the door or to the jamb, and his lord will bore his ear with an awl; and he will serve him for the eon.

Darby Translation                  .

exeGeses companion Bible   When you chattelize a Hebrew servant,

he serves six years:

and in the seventh he goes out gratuitously liberated.

If he comes in with his body,

he goes out with his body:

if he was master of a woman,

then his woman goes out with him.

If his adoni gives him a woman

and she births him sons or daughters;

the woman and her children are to her adoni

and he goes out with his body.

And if in saying, the servant says,

I love my adoni, my woman and my sons;

I go not out liberated:

then his adoni brings him to Elohim;

he also brings him to the door or to the door post;

and his adoni bores through his ear with an aul;

and he serves him eternally.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           If thou acquire an eved Ivri, shesh shanim he shall serve; and in the seventh he shall go out lachafeshi (to the freedom) for no charge.

If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he were a ba’al isha, then his isha shall go out with him.

If his adon have given him an isha, and to him she gives birth to banim or banot; the isha and her yeledim shall be her adon’s, and he shall go out [free] by himself.

And if the eved shall plainly say, I love adoni, my isha, and my banim; I will not go out lachafeshi (to the freedom);

Then his adon shall bring him unto HaElohim; he shall also bring him to the delet (door), or unto the mezuzah; and his adon shall pierce through his ozen (ear) with a piercing-tool; then he shall serve him l’olam.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. .

Third Millennium Bible            .

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                “If you purchase a Hebrew servant [because of his debt or poverty], he shall serve six years, and in the seventh [year] he shall leave as a free man, paying nothing. If he came [to you] alone, he shall leave alone; if he came married, then his wife shall leave with him. If his master gives him a wife, and she gives birth to sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall leave [your service] alone. But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not leave as a free man,’ then his master shall bring him to God [that is, to the judges who act in God’s name], then he shall bring him to the door or doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl (strong needle); and he shall serve him for life.

The Expanded Bible              “·If [or When] you buy a Hebrew slave, he will serve you for six years. In the seventh year you are to set him free, ·and he will have to pay nothing [with no debt]. If he ·is not married when he becomes your slave [^L came single/alone], he must leave ·without a wife [^L single; alone]. But if he ·is married when he becomes your slave [^L comes in with a wife], he may ·take [^L go out with] his wife with him. If the slave’s master gives him a wife, and she gives birth to sons or daughters, the woman and her children will belong to the master. ·When the slave is set free, only he may leave [^L He will go out single/alone].

“But if the slave says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children, and I don’t want to go free,’ then the slave’s master must take him to ·God [^T the judges; ^C Hebrew: Elohim]. The master is to take him to a door or ·doorframe [doorpost] and ·punch a hole through [pierce] the slave’s ear using ·a sharp tool [an awl]. Then the slave will serve that master all his life.

The Geneva Bible                  .

Kretzmann’s Commentary    If thou buy an Hebrew servant, as a slave, six years he shall serve in this capacity; and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing, the idea being that he has earned his freedom by his six years' service. If he came in by himself, literally, with his body, that is, unmarried, he shall go out by himself; if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. Cf Exodus 22:3; Lev. 25:39; Deut. 15:12-15. If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters, the woman, of course, being a slave also, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. The man could have his freedom, if he chose, but the woman would still remain the master's property, and her children as well. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children, I will not go out free, the slave preferring a continuation of his slavery in the company of his family to freedom without his loved ones, then his master shall bring him unto the judges, before the proper officers; he shall also bring him to the door or unto the door-post of his house; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever, the opening in the ear marking the slave as such.

Syndein/Thieme                     If you buy an Hebrew servant/slave, six years he shall serve and in the seventh {year} he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself. If he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master has given him a wife, and she have borne him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free. Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

{Note: It was the custom of the day that if a person from his free will wanted to be a slave and the master agreed, that he would literally put an awl through his ear and 'nail' him to the front door. That was the symbol that this 'deal' was agreed to by both parties. The scar in the ear was a life-long testimony to the transaction.}.

The Voice                               Eternal One (to Moses): If you purchase a male Hebrew slave, he will be your servant for six years only. When the seventh year arrives, he will go free without having to pay a price for his freedom.

If you acquire a slave who is not married, then he will depart as a single man. But if you acquire a man who is married, then his wife will also leave when he goes free.

If his master provides a wife for him, and the wife gives him sons and daughters, then both the wife and the children belong to the master, and only the slave will leave the master’s service when the seventh year arrives.

But if the seventh year arrives and the slave freely renounces his right to freedom, saying, “My heart is full of love for my master, my wife, and my children. I will not leave my master’s service as a free man,” then his master will present him to the True God. [Greek manuscripts read, “to the lawcourt of God.”] Next his master will escort him to the doorway and pierce his ear against the doorpost with an awl. Then everyone will know this slave will serve his master for life.

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

The Complete Tanach           Should you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall work [for] six years, and in the seventh [year], he shall go out to freedom without charge.

If he comes [in] alone, he shall go out alone; if he is a married man, his wife shall go out with him.

If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone.

But if the slave says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go free,"...

...his master shall bring him to the judges, and he shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.

Kaplan Translation                 If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years, but in the seventh year, he is to be set free without liability. If he was unmarried when he entered service, he shall leave by himself. But if he was a married man, his wife shall leave with him. If his master gives him a wife, and she bears sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall remain her master's property. [The slave] shall leave by himself. If the slave declares, 'I am fond of my master, my wife and my children; I do not want to go free,' his master must bring him to the courts. Standing [the slave] next to the door or doorpost, his master shall pierce his ear with an awl. [The slave] shall then serve [his master] forever.

Hebrew slave

One who was sold for robbery; see Exodus 22:2 (Mekhilta; Rashi). See Leviticus 25:39, Deuteronomy 15:12.

wife

A gentile slave woman (Mekhilta; Rashi).

the courts

(Targum ; Mekhilta; Rashi). The word Elohim denotes God, but it also denotes judges or courts; see Exodus 22:7, 22:8, 22:27, 1 Samuel 2:25, Judges 5:8, Psalms 82:1,6, 138:1. In this case, a court composed of three judges is required (Yad, Avadim 3:9).

Standing the slave...

The master must pierce the ear into the door; Deuteronomy 15:17 (see Lechem Mishneh on Yad, Avadim 3:9).

forever

Until the jubilee; Leviticus 25:40 Mekhilta; Targum Yonathan; Kiddushin 21b; Rashi).

NET Bible®                             Hebrew Servants

²“If you buy³ a Hebrew servant,⁴ he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he will go out free⁵ without paying anything.⁶ If he came⁷ in by himself⁸ he will go out by himself; if he had⁹ a wife when he came in, then his wife will go out with him. If his master gave¹⁰ him a wife, and she bore sons or daughters, the wife and the children will belong to her master, and he will go out by himself. But if the servant should declare,¹¹ ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out¹² free,’ then his master must bring him to the judges,¹³ and he will bring him to the door or the doorposts, and his master will pierce his ear with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.¹⁴

^2sn See H. L. Elleson, “The Hebrew Slave: A Study in Early Israelite Society,” EvQ 45 (1973): 30-35; N. P. Lemche, “The Manumission of Slaves – The Fallow Year – The Sabbatical Year – The Jobel Year,” VT 26 (1976): 38-59, and “The ‘Hebrew Slave,’ Comments on the Slave Law – Ex. 21:2-11,” VT 25 (1975): 129-44.

^3tn The verbs in both the conditional clause and the following ruling are imperfect tense: “If you buy…then he will serve.” The second imperfect tense (the ruling) could be taken either as a specific future or an obligatory imperfect. Gesenius explains how the verb works in the conditional clauses here (see GKC 497 §159.bb).

^4sn The interpretation of “Hebrew” in this verse is uncertain: (l) a gentilic ending, (2) a fellow Israelite, (3) or a class of mercenaries of the population (see W. C. Kaiser, Jr., “Exodus,” EBC 2:431). It seems likely that the term describes someone born a Hebrew, as opposed to a foreigner (S. R. Driver, Exodus, 210). The literature on this includes: M. P. Gray, “The Habiru-Hebrew Problem,” HUCA 29 (1958): 135-202.

^5sn The word חָפְש ִי (khofshi) means “free.” It is possible that there is some connection between this word and a technical term used in other cultures for a social class of emancipated slaves who were freemen again (see I. Mendelsohn, “New Light on the Hupsu,” BASOR 139 [1955]: 9-11).

^6tn The adverb חִנָּם (hinnam) means “gratis, free”; it is related to the verb “to be gracious, show favor” and the noun “grace.”

^7tn The tense is imperfect, but in the conditional clause it clearly refers to action that is anterior to the action in the next clause. Heb “if he comes in single, he goes out single,” that is, “if he came in single, he will go out single.”

^8tn Heb “with his back” meaning “alone.”

^9tn The phrase says, “if he was the possessor of a wife”; the noun בַּעַל (ba’al) can mean “possessor” or “husband.” If there was a wife, she shared his fortunes or his servitude; if he entered with her, she would accompany him when he left.

^10sn The slave would not have the right or the means to acquire a wife. Thus, the idea of the master’s “giving” him a wife is clear – the master would have to pay the bride price and make the provision. In this case, the wife and the children are actually the possession of the master unless the slave were to pay the bride price – but he is a slave because he got into debt. The law assumes that the master was better able to provide for this woman than the freed slave and that it was most important to keep the children with the mother.

^11tn The imperfect with the infinitive absolute means that the declaration is unambiguous, that the servant will clearly affirm that he wants to stay with the master. Gesenius says that in a case like this the infinitive emphasizes the importance of the condition on which some consequence depends (GKC 342-43 §113.o).

^12tn Or taken as a desiderative imperfect, it would say, “I do not want to go out free.”

^13tn The word is הָאֱלֹהִים (ha’elohim). S. R. Driver (Exodus, 211) says the phrase means “to God,” namely the nearest sanctuary in order that the oath and the ritual might be made solemn, although he does say that it would be done by human judges. That the reference is to Yahweh God is the view also of F. C. Fensham, “New Light on Exodus 21:7 and 22:7 from the Laws of Eshnunna,” JBL 78 (1959): 160-61. Cf. also ASV, NAB, NASB, NCV, NRSV, NLT. Others have made a stronger case that it refers to judges who acted on behalf of God; see C. Gordon, “אלהים in its Reputed Meaning of Rulers, Judges,” JBL 54 (1935): 134-44; and A. E. Draffkorn, “Ilani/Elohim,” JBL 76 (1957): 216-24; cf. KJV, NIV.

^14tn Or “till his life’s end” (as in the idiom: “serve him for good”).

New American Bible (2011)   When you purchase a Hebrew slave,* he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall leave as a free person without any payment. If he comes into service alone, he shall leave alone; if he comes with a wife, his wife shall leave with him. But if his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children belong to her master and the man shall leave alone. If, however, the slave declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children; I will not leave as a free person,’ his master shall bring him to God* and there, at the door or doorpost, he shall pierce his ear with an awl, thus keeping him as his slave forever. [21:2–6] Lv 25:39–55; Dt 15:12–18; Jer 34:14.

* [21:2] Slave: an Israelite could become a slave of another Israelite as a means of paying a debt, or an Israelite could be born into slavery due to a parent’s status as a slave. Here a time limit is prescribed for such slavery; other stipulations (vv. 20–21, 26–27) tried to reduce the evils of slavery, but slavery itself is not condemned in the Old Testament.

* [21:6] To God: the ritual of the piercing of the slave’s ear, which signified a lifetime commitment to the master, probably took place at the door of the household, where God as protector of the household was called upon as a witness. Another possible location for the ritual would have been the door of the sanctuary, where God or judges would have witnessed the slave’s promise of lifetime obedience to his master.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Brenner’s Mechanical Trans....if you will purchase a servant of "Ever Other side", he will serve six years, and in the seventh he will go out freely to freedom, if he comes (by) <himself>, he will go out (by) <himself>, if he is the master of a woman, (then) his woman will go out with him, if his lord will give him a woman, and she will bring forth (for) him sons or daughters, the woman and her boys will exist (for) her lord, and he, he will go out (by) <himself>, (but) if the servant will say, I love my lord, my woman and my sons, I will not go out free, (then) his lord will make him draw near to the "Elohiym ^Powers" , and he will make him draw near to the door, or to the doorpost, and his lord will bore through his ear (with) the awl and he will serve him to a distant time,...

Charles Thompson OT           .

C. Thompson (updated) OT   If you purchase a Hebrew servant, he will serve you six years, but in the seventh year he will go out free without ransom. If he came in alone, he will go out alone; but if his wife came with him his wife will go out with him. And if his master has given him a wife and she has born him sons or daughters, the wife and the children will belong to his master, and he will go out alone. And if the servant will answer and say, I love my master and my wife and my children, I will not go away free, his master will bring him to God’s court of Justice and there lead him to the door; to the door post, and his master will bore his ear through with an awl and he will serve him for ever.

Context Group Version          If you buy a Hebrew slave, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he is married, then his woman shall go out with him. If his master gives him a woman and she bears him sons or daughters; the woman and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. But if the slave shall plainly say, I give allegiance to my master, my woman, and my sons; I will not go out free: then his master shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door, or to the door-post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

English Standard Version      .

Green’s Literal Translation    .

Modern English Version         .

Modern Literal Version           If you buy a Hebrew servant, he will serve for six years, but in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself. If he is married, then his wife will go out with him. If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he will go out by himself.

However, if the servant plainly says, “I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go out free,” then his master will bring him to the judges, then he shall also bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him forever.

Modern KJV                           .

New American Standard B.    “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. If he comes ^[a]alone, he shall go out ^[b]alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out ^[c]alone. But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’ then his master shall bring him to ^[d]God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.

a. Exodus 21:3 Lit by himself

b. Exodus 21:3 Lit by himself

c. Exodus 21:4 Lit by himself

d. Exodus 21:6 Or the judges who acted in God’s name

New European Version          .

New King James Version       .

Niobi Study Bible                   .

Owen's Translation                .

Restored Holy Bible 6.0         .

Updated Bible Version 2.17   .

A Voice in the Wilderness      .

Webster’s Bible Translation  .

World English Bible                .

Young's Literal Translation     .

Young’s Updated LT             “When you buy a Hebrew servant—six years he does serve, and in the seventh he goes out as a freeman for nought; if by himself he comes in, by himself he goes out; if he is owner of a wife, then his wife has gone out with him; if his lord give to him a wife, and she has borne to him sons or daughters—the wife and her children are her lord’s, and he goes out by himself.

“And if the servant really say: I have loved my lord, my wife, and my sons—I do not go out free; then has his lord brought him nigh unto God, and has brought him nigh unto the door, or unto the side-post, and his lord has bored his ear with an awl, and he has served him—to the age.

The gist of this passage: 

2-6

Translation: If you purchase a Hebrew servant,...

At this point, God is going to make some very specific laws, laws which apply to that time and age; but laws which often have a much wider application.

In this first situation, we have a Hebrew person purchasing a Hebrew slave. The primary way that this would happen is, the slave has run out of options in life. He lacks the ability to support himself (and possibly his family), so he appeals to a wealthier man to purchase him.

Perhaps he is also in debt.

What needs to be emphasized here is, there is free will involved on the part of the master and the part of the slave. There may be a variety of circumstances which leads both of them to this place. In the ancient world, the purchase of a slave was not some great evil as it is considered today.

Application: Interestingly enough, there is a portion of a political party today who treat slavery as a part of their platform. Now, they do not seem to be very concerned about human trafficking today, which is rampant; but they are ultra-concerned about slave owners from 200 years ago. These same misfits do nothing about present-day slavery, but they will do everything possible to tear down a statue of a former slave owner, proposing that, if you disagree with them, then you support slavery.

So that there is no misunderstanding, the slavery practiced in America 200 years ago is not the same as the slavery suggested here. The slave in this case has put himself in this position or he has found himself to be in this position, with no easy way out, apart from servitude.

This does not mean that the slave is morally at fault here. The slave might be a child or young adult of a family who is going through difficult times, and selling him or her is the immediate solution.

Translation: ...he will serve for six years, but in the seventh, he will go out for free for nothing.

For a Hebrew owning a Hebrew slave, there was a specific time limit. You could own another Hebrew for 6 years and no longer. In the 7^th year, the slave was to be set free; and there was to be no fee assessed against him.

Now, in case your mind is racing, and you are worried about, what if the slave is not a Hebrew, this will be a part of the Law as well.

What is being described here is a very specific situation at a very particular period of time. The period of time is the time that Israel was a nation to God, which will begin in the book of Joshua, and continue until the time of Jesus and the Apostles.

Exodus 21:2 If you purchase a Hebrew servant, he will serve for six years, but in the seventh, he will go out for free for nothing.

We are working here both with principle and with analogy. Just as the Hebrews were to spend some time in slavery and then to go out of Egypt, so the Hebrews under private ownership were to do the same. They are God's people and as such are free.

The Bible nowhere takes a direct position against slavery; even in the book of Philemon, Paul suggests to the recipient that he free his slave, Onesimus, because he is also a believer in Jesus Christ—however, he does not require this (a mature believer would have freed Onesimus and a weaker one would not have). This passage at best implies that slavery is not the ideal position for a slave.

There are passages in the Old Testament which forbid man stealing; and this is how many slaves are provided for slave buyers.

In this verse, where it says they will go out free for nothing, means that there are no requirements for the slave to fulfill in order to be released. The slave does not have to produce a certain amount nor does he have to somehow see that his master his compensated for his release. He is released from slavery for nothing.