Exodus 21:7

7 "Whenever a man sells his daughter into slavery, she will not go free the way male slaves do.

Exodus 21:7 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 21:7

And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant
That is, if an Israelite, as the Targum of Jonathan, sells his little daughter, as the same Targum, and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra, one that is under age, that is not arrived to the age of twelve years and a day, and this through poverty; he not being able to support himself and his family, puts his daughter out to service, or rather sells her to be a servant:

she shall not go out as the menservants do;
that are sold, before described; or rather, according to the Targum,

``as the Canaanitish servants go out, who are made free, because of a tooth, or an eye, (the loss of them, ( Exodus 21:26 Exodus 21:27 ) ) but in the years of release, and with the signs (of puberty), and in the jubilee, and at the death of their masters, with redemption of silver,''

so Jarchi.

Exodus 21:7 In-Context

5 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,'

6 then his master must bring him to God. 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.

7 "Whenever a man sells his daughter into slavery, she will not go free the way male slaves do.

8 If she doesn't please the master who has chosen her as a wife, he must let her be bought back by one of her close relatives. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has treated her unfairly.

9 But if he has chosen her for his son, he must treat her like a daughter.