Éxodo 21:1-7

1 Y ESTOS son los derechos que les propondrás.

2 Si comprares siervo hebreo, seis años servirá; mas al séptimo saldrá horro de balde.

3 Si entró solo, solo saldrá: si tenía mujer, saldrá él y su mujer con él.

4 Si su amo le hubiere dado mujer, y ella le hubiere parido hijos ó hijas, la mujer y sus hijos serán de su amo, y él saldrá solo.

5 Y si el siervo dijere: Yo amo á mi señor, á mi mujer y á mis hijos, no saldré libre:

6 Entonces su amo lo hará llegar á los jueces, y harále llegar á la puerta ó al poste; y su amo le horadará la oreja con lesna, y será su siervo para siempre.

7 Y cuando alguno vendiere su hija por sierva, no saldrá como suelen salir los siervos.

Éxodo 21:1-7 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.