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Exodus 21:2

1 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.

If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
WEB
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything.
ASV
If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
DARBY
If thou buy a Hebrew bondman, six years shall he serve; and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
BLB
If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out as the free for nothing.
ÅB
Når du kjøper en hebraisk slave, skal han tjene i seks år; men i det syvende skal han gis fri uten vederlag.
OTB
«Hvis du anskaffer en hebraisk tjener, skal han tjene i seks år; men i det syvende året skal han løslates som en fri mann, uten noen betaling.
B1930
Når du kjøper en hebraisk træl, skal han tjene i seks år; men i det syvende skal han gis fri uten vederlag.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 15:12–15

    And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 12:44

    But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 15:18

    It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.

    Read in context

  • Nehemiah 5:1–5

    And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 15:1

    At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.

    Read in context

  • Nehemiah 5:8

    And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

    Read in context

  • Leviticus 25:39–45

    And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:

    Read in context

  • Exodus 22:3

    If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

    Read in context