And if a man sells his daughter as a servantIn ancient Israel, the practice of selling a daughter as a servant was a form of arranged servitude often due to economic hardship. This was not akin to slavery as understood in modern terms but was more of a contractual agreement. The father, as the head of the household, had the authority to make such decisions, reflecting the patriarchal structure of society. This practice was intended to provide for the daughter’s welfare and future, often leading to marriage within the household she served. The cultural context of the time saw this as a means of ensuring the daughter’s security and integration into a stable family environment.
she is not to go free as the menservants do
The distinction between female and male servants highlights the different social roles and expectations in ancient Israelite society. Male servants were often released after six years of service, as outlined inExodus 21:2, reflecting the sabbatical cycle. However, female servants, particularly those sold by their fathers, were often intended to become part of the family, either through marriage or long-term servitude. This provision ensured that women were not left without support or protection, recognizing their vulnerability in a patriarchal society. The law aimed to safeguard the dignity and future of the female servant, ensuring she was not treated merely as property but as a potential member of the household.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe author of Exodus, who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai and communicated them to the Israelites.
2.
IsraelitesThe people to whom the laws were given, living in a covenant relationship with God.
3.
Servant (Hebrew: ?????, 'amah')Refers to a female servant or maidservant, often in the context of servitude due to economic hardship.
4.
Mount SinaiThe place where Moses received the Ten Commandments and other laws from God.
5.
Ancient Near EastThe cultural and historical context in which these laws were given, where servitude was a common practice.
Teaching Points
Understanding Cultural ContextRecognize that the laws in Exodus were given in a specific historical and cultural context. The practice of selling a daughter as a servant was a means of economic survival and protection in ancient times.
God's Provision and ProtectionEven within the framework of servitude, God's laws provided protection and rights for female servants, indicating His care for the vulnerable.
Spiritual Freedom in ChristWhile the Old Testament laws address physical servitude, the New Testament emphasizes spiritual freedom through Christ, transcending social and economic statuses.
Compassion and JusticeAs Christians, we are called to advocate for justice and compassion, reflecting God's heart for the marginalized and oppressed in our society today.
Application to Modern ContextsConsider how principles of justice, protection, and care for the vulnerable can be applied in contemporary issues such as human trafficking and economic exploitation.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 21:7?
2.How does Exodus 21:7 reflect cultural norms of ancient Israelite society?
3.What protections does Exodus 21:7 offer for a daughter sold as a servant?
4.How can Exodus 21:7 inform our understanding of biblical justice and fairness?
5.What New Testament teachings relate to the treatment of servants in Exodus 21:7?
6.How should Christians today apply principles from Exodus 21:7 in modern contexts?
7.How does Exodus 21:7 align with modern views on women's rights and equality?
8.Why does Exodus 21:7 permit selling a daughter into servitude?
9.What historical context explains the practice in Exodus 21:7?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 21?
11.Exodus 21:7–11 mentions selling one’s daughter; how does this align with other biblical teachings on the value and protection of children?
12.1 Peter 2:18: Why does the text appear to condone slavery by telling slaves to submit to their masters, and how is that consistent with a just God?
13.Why do the laws of the Torah resemble earlier Mesopotamian legal codes?
14.Why did Jesus resolutely head to Jerusalem?What Does Exodus 21:7 Mean
And if a man sells his daughter as a servant• Scripture states, “And if a man sells his daughter as a servant…” (Exodus 21:7). In ancient Israel, extreme poverty could force a family to place a child in indentured service. This practice was regulated by God to protect the vulnerable (compareLeviticus 25:39-41).
• The sale was not for exploitation but for provision and protection within another household, much like Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer situation (Ruth 3:1-13).
• God’s law here acknowledges human hardship while setting boundaries so the daughter’s dignity remains intact—unlike the harsh chattel slavery known elsewhere (Exodus 22:21;Deuteronomy 24:17-18).
She is not to go free• Unlike a male servant who automatically received release after six years (Exodus 21:2;Deuteronomy 15:12-15), a daughter-servant’s status continued until redemption or marriage.
• This extended term ensured stability and future security, often ending in marriage to the master or his son (Exodus 21:8-9). Her long-term placement was designed to elevate her prospects, not diminish them.
• Cross-referenceGenesis 24:34-53, where arranged placements aimed at a woman’s welfare; likewise, God’s law safeguarded the daughter from being turned out without support (Exodus 21:10-11).
As the menservants do• Male servants had a fixed liberation date; females had distinct protections. God differentiated not from partiality but to grant additional rights: food, clothing, marital rights, and the possibility of redemption or release without payment if mistreated (Exodus 21:10-11;Deuteronomy 21:14).
• Male release after six years often meant returning to poverty. A daughter-servant either married into the household or was redeemed, positioning her for long-term provision (compareProverbs 31:21-22).
• Thus, the phrase “as the menservants do” highlights complementary, not inferior, treatment—each according to need.
summaryExodus 21:7 shows God’s compassionate regulation of indentured service. A father facing destitution could place his daughter in another home, where she would be protected, provided for, and potentially married. Unlike male servants who left after six years to uncertain futures, the daughter stayed until redemption or marriage, ensuring lifelong security. The law reveals God’s concern for the vulnerable, balancing family hardship with safeguards that uphold dignity and covenant faithfulness.
(7)
If a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant.--The right of selling their children into slavery was regarded in ancient times as inherent in the
patria potestas,and was practised largely by many nations (Herod. v. 6; Heyne,
Opusc.,vol. iv., p. 125). Among the Hebrews such sales were, comparatively speaking, rare; but still they occasionally took place, in consequence of extreme poverty (
Nehemiah 5:5). Women sold in this way might claim their freedom at the end of six years if they chose (
Deuteronomy 15:17); but if purchased to be wives, they received a further protection. If the intention were carried out, they were to be entitled to the status of wives during their whole lifetime, even though their husbands contracted further marriages (
Exodus 21:10). If, instead of becoming the wife of her purchaser, a woman was made over by him to his son, she was to enjoy all the rights of a daughter (
Exodus 21:9). If the purchaser declined to act in either of these two ways, he was compelled to take one of two other courses. Either he must get another Hebrew to discharge his obligation of marriage (
Exodus 21:8), or he must return the maid intact to her father, without making any demand for the restitution of the purchase-money (
Exodus 21:11). These provisions afforded a considerable protection to the slave-concubine, who might otherwise have been liable to grievous wrong and oppression. . . .
Verse 7. -
If a man sell hisdaughter to be amaid-servant. Among ancient nations the father' s rights over his children were generally regarded as including the right to sell them for slaves. In civilised nations the right was seldom exercised; but what restrained men was rather a sentiment of pride than any doubt of such sales being proper. Many barbarous nations, like the Thracians (Herod. 5:6), made a regular practice of selling their daughters. Even at Athens there was a time when sales of children had been common (Plut.
Vit. Solon. § 13). Existing custom, it is clear, sanctioned such sales among the Hebrews, and what the law now did was to step in and mitigate the evil consequences. (Compare the comment on verse 2.) These were greatest in the case of females. Usually they were bought to be made the concubines, or secondary wives of their masters. If this intention were carried out, then they were to be entitled to their status and maintenance as wives during their lifetime, even though their husband took another (legitimate) wife (ver. 10). If the retention was not carried out, either the man was to marry her to one of his sons (ver. 9), or he was to sell his rights over her altogether with his obligations to another Hebrew; or he was to send her back at once
intact to her father' s house, without making any claim on him to refund the purchase-money. These provisos may not have furnished a remedy against all the wrongs of a weak, and, no doubt, an oppressed class; but they were important mitigations of the existing usages, and protected the slave-concubine to a considerable extent.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And ifוְכִֽי־(wə·ḵî-)Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctiona manאִ֛ישׁ(’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male personsellsיִמְכֹּ֥ר(yim·kōr)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4376:To sellhis daughterבִּתּ֖וֹ(bit·tōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1323:A daughteras a servant,לְאָמָ֑ה(lə·’ā·māh)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 519:A maidservant, female slaveshe is notלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noto go freeתֵצֵ֖א(ṯê·ṣê)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3318:To go, bring, out, direct and proximas the menservants do.הָעֲבָדִֽים׃(hā·‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5650:Slave, servant
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OT Law: Exodus 21:7 If a man sells his daughter (Exo. Ex) 
