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Exodus 21:5

3 If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him.

4 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; I do not want to go free,’

6 then his master is to bring him before the judges. And he shall take him to the door or doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he shall serve his master for life.

7 And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do.

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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
But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children; I do not want to go free,’
KJV
And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
WEB
But if the servant shall plainly say, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go out free;’
ASV
But if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
DARBY
But if the bondman shall say distinctly, I love my master, my wife, and my children, I will not go free;
BLB
And if the servant surely declares, ‘I love my lord, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’
ÅB
Men dersom slaven sier: Jeg holder av min herre, min hustru og mine barn, jeg vil ikke være fri og gå bort,
OTB
Men hvis tjeneren erklærer: ‘Jeg har hengivenhet for min herre, min kone og mine barn; jeg vil ikke dra som en fri mann,’
B1930
Men dersom trælen sier: Jeg holder av min herre, min hustru og mine barn, jeg vil ikke være fri og gå bort,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references