Exodus 21:1-10

1 haec sunt iudicia quae propones eis

2 si emeris servum hebraeum sex annis serviet tibi in septimo egredietur liber gratis

3 cum quali veste intraverit cum tali exeat si habens uxorem et uxor egredietur simul

4 sin autem dominus dederit illi uxorem et peperit filios et filias mulier et liberi eius erunt domini sui ipse vero exibit cum vestitu suo

5 quod si dixerit servus diligo dominum meum et uxorem ac liberos non egrediar liber

6 offeret eum dominus diis et adplicabitur ad ostium et postes perforabitque aurem eius subula et erit ei servus in saeculum

7 si quis vendiderit filiam suam in famulam non egredietur sicut ancillae exire consuerunt

8 si displicuerit oculis domini sui cui tradita fuerit dimittet eam populo autem alieno vendendi non habet potestatem si spreverit eam

9 sin autem filio suo desponderit eam iuxta morem filiarum faciet illi

10 quod si alteram ei acceperit providebit puellae nuptias et vestimenta et pretium pudicitiae non negabit

Exodus 21:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 21

In this, and the two following chapters, are delivered various laws and precepts, partly of a moral, and partly of a religious, but chiefly of a civil nature, respecting the commonwealth of Israel, and its political good. This chapter treats of servants, and laws relating to them; to menservants, how long they shall serve, and what is to be done to those who are desirous of staying with their masters after their time is up, Ex 21:1-6, to maidservants, and especially betrothed ones, either to a father or a son, Ex 21:7-11, likewise it contains laws concerning the slaughter of men, whether with design or unawares, Ex 21:12-14, and concerning the ill usage of parents, Ex 21:15,17, and man stealing, Ex 21:16 and of mischief that comes by men's quarrelling and fighting, Ex 21:18,19 and by smiting a man or maidservant, Ex 21:20,21,26,27, to a woman with child, that is, by means of men's striving and contending with each other, Ex 21:22-25 and of damages that come by oxen, or to them, Ex 21:28-36.