Exodus 21:11 kjv
And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.
Exodus 21:11 nkjv
And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money.
Exodus 21:11 niv
If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.
Exodus 21:11 esv
And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.
Exodus 21:11 nlt
If he fails in any of these three obligations, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment.
Exodus 21 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 21:7 | If a man sells his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as... | Establishes the type of servant. |
| Ex 21:8 | If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself... | Explains potential marriage context. |
| Ex 21:9 | If he betroths her to his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. | Outlines specific care for such a servant. |
| Ex 21:10 | If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. | Defines the "three" obligations. |
| Dt 15:12-18 | If your countryman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, then he shall.. | General laws for release of Hebrew servants. |
| Lev 25:39-43 | If a countryman of yours becomes poor...you shall not subject him to hard service. | Prohibits harsh rule over Hebrew servants. |
| Dt 24:14-15 | You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor...lest he cry to the LORD | Command to treat vulnerable workers justly. |
| Dt 23:15-16 | You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his... | Protection for runaway slaves seeking refuge. |
| Dt 21:10-14 | When you go out to battle against your enemies...a beautiful woman and desire her... | Laws concerning female captives, showing provision. |
| Jer 34:8-22 | King Zedekiah and the people freeing, then re-enslaving their Hebrew slaves. | Divine judgment for violating freedom laws. |
| Is 58:6 | Is this not the fast which I choose: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke... | Emphasis on justice and freeing the oppressed. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good...to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly... | Highlights divine requirement for justice. |
| Zech 7:9-10 | Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness... | Call for justice and compassion towards vulnerable. |
| Ex 6:6 | Say therefore to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of... | God as the Liberator of Israel from bondage. |
| Dt 5:6 | ‘I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.’ | God's identity as liberator from slavery. |
| Lk 4:18-19 | The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me...to proclaim liberty to the captives... | Jesus' mission includes liberating the oppressed. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for... | Spiritual equality in Christ transcends social status. |
| Phlm 1:15-16 | For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you might have him back... | Transformation of a slave into a beloved brother in Christ. |
| 1 Cor 7:20-24 | Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? | Christian perspective on social status, freedom preferred if possible. |
| Eph 6:9 | Masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both your Master and theirs is... | Instructs masters to treat slaves justly. |
| Col 4:1 | Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. | Masters are accountable to God for slave treatment. |
Exodus 21 verses
Exodus 21 11 Meaning
Exodus 21:11 states a critical provision for a Hebrew female servant: if her master fails to provide her with the three stipulated obligations (food, clothing, and conjugal rights), she is entitled to go free. Her emancipation is immediate, automatic, and requires no payment or compensation for her release.
Exodus 21 11 Context
Exodus 21:11 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Exo 20:22–23:33), a collection of laws given by God to Israel immediately after the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. These laws detail specific cases regarding civil and criminal justice, property, and personal rights, laying the foundation for a righteous society. The preceding verses (Exo 21:7-10) define the unique status of the female servant (āmāh). Unlike a standard chattel slave, this particular woman was sold by her father due to economic hardship, often with the implied intention of becoming a concubine or wife to the master or his son.
The context of these laws reveals a divine concern for the vulnerable and limitations on oppressive practices common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. While slavery existed, God's laws introduced protections, humane treatment standards, and a built-in mechanism for release, differentiating Israelite servitude from brutal forms of chattel slavery prevalent in surrounding nations. This verse specifically acts as a powerful safeguard for the female servant, ensuring her basic needs and dignity are protected within the domestic sphere.
Exodus 21 11 Word analysis
- And if he do not: This conditional clause (
wə’im-lōʾ yaʿăśeh) highlights a specific failure on the part of the master. The lack of provision triggers her right to freedom. - these three: Refers directly to the three core obligations enumerated in the preceding verse (Exo 21:10): her food (
še'ērāh), her clothing (kəsumātāh), and her conjugal rights (ʿonātāh). The numerical certainty (šāloš- three) leaves no ambiguity regarding the minimum requirements. - unto her: Hebrew
lāh(to her). This emphasizes the personal nature of the master's responsibility towards the particular female servant (’āmāh), implying a relationship that goes beyond mere ownership. - then shall she go out: Hebrew
wəyāṣə’āh(and she shall go out). This strong declaration signifies her automatic and undeniable right to emancipation upon the violation of the conditions. - free: Hebrew
ḥinnām(for nothing, without cost, gratis). This is a crucial term, indicating that her freedom is not redeemed by payment, but is an inherent right due to the master's failure to uphold the covenantal agreement. She gains absolute, unpurchased freedom. - without money: Hebrew
ʾên-kāseph(no silver/money). This phrase reinforcesḥinnām, making it explicit that no financial compensation, not even the original purchase price or a redemption fee, is required from her or her family for her liberation. It highlights the penalty for the master's breach of conduct, giving the servant absolute freedom.
Exodus 21 11 Bonus section
- The provision in Exo 21:11 reflects God's character as the Deliverer of Israel from Egyptian bondage, extending compassion to those in servitude within their own nation. The very One who brought His people out of the house of slavery commands humane treatment and avenues for freedom for the oppressed among them.
- The Hebrew concept of
ḥinnām(free/gratis/without cause) found here is also used elsewhere in Scripture, sometimes to denote divine grace (e.g., Rom 3:24), emphasizing the unmerited nature of a gift or benefit. Here, it signifies the unpurchased nature of freedom due to divine law, demonstrating that God's law reflects His own gratuitous nature. - This law stands as a polemic against the often harsh and dehumanizing practices towards servants prevalent in contemporary cultures. It provides a unique legal protection not found in other ancient law codes, elevating the status and rights of female servants in Israel.
- The phrase "these three" refers to universal human needs – sustenance, warmth/protection, and companionship/intimacy (in a marital context). The law thereby protects basic human existence and dignity.
Exodus 21 11 Commentary
Exodus 21:11 underscores the Lord's profound concern for the welfare of the vulnerable, even within the context of a social structure that allowed for servitude. This particular law pertains to a Hebrew female servant, likely sold by her impoverished father. Unlike typical slaves, her role often carried marital implications, either for the master or his son. The law's specificity in listing "food, clothing, and marital rights" (še'ērāh, kəsumātāh, ʿonātāh) establishes fundamental human dignity. These are not merely economic provisions but also involve relational and personal recognition.
The verse makes clear that a failure to meet these specific obligations by the master is not a minor infraction but a significant breach, leading directly to the servant's freedom. The term "without money" (ḥinnām, ʾên-kāseph) is pivotal; it signifies that her liberty is not a transaction but an entitlement earned by the master's neglect. This sharply contrasts with other ancient Near Eastern laws, which typically afforded fewer protections and often did not grant slaves an uncompensated path to freedom based solely on their master's failure to provide care. This demonstrates God's heart for justice and foreshadows broader biblical themes of liberation and release from bondage, ultimately culminating in the spiritual freedom offered through Christ. The law highlights that humans, even in servitude, are not mere chattel but possess intrinsic worth deserving of basic provision and respectful treatment.