Exodus 21:3 kjv

If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

Exodus 21:3 nkjv

If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him.

Exodus 21:3 niv

If he comes alone, he is to go free alone; but if he has a wife when he comes, she is to go with him.

Exodus 21:3 esv

If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him.

Exodus 21:3 nlt

If he was single when he became your slave, he shall leave single. But if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife must be freed with him.

Exodus 21 verses

Exodus 21 3 Meaning

Exodus 21:3 lays down a foundational principle for the release of an Israelite man who entered servitude: his marital status upon entering bondage dictates his status upon exiting. If he began his term of service as a single man, he must depart as a single man. However, if he entered service as a married man, his wife must be released alongside him. This rule upholds the integrity of existing marriages and prevents the separation of families due to a period of servitude.

Exodus 21 3 Context

Exodus 21:3 is an integral part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Ex 20:22–23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. Following God's direct revelation, these civil laws establish the social order, justice, and ethics for the nascent Israelite nation. Specifically, chapters 21-23 deal with various legal stipulations, including personal injuries, property rights, and, crucially, the treatment of servants (often translated "slaves"). Hebrew servitude, distinct from the chattel slavery common in other ancient Near Eastern societies, was typically a temporary status—a means to repay debt or avoid starvation—and was regulated by strict humanitarian laws. This verse directly addresses the terms of release for an Israelite servant after six years, or at the Jubilee year (Lev 25), with particular attention to preserving pre-existing family units, highlighting the Mosaic Law's concern for marital integrity and preventing the fragmentation of families. It establishes a direct contrast to situations where a master might provide a wife during the servitude period, a situation addressed in the subsequent verse.

Exodus 21 3 Word analysis

• If he came in: Signifies the commencement of a period of servitude, establishing the starting condition upon which the law's application hinges.
• by himself (בְּגַפּוֹ֙ - b'gappo): This rare phrase literally means "in his body" or "by his wing." It emphasizes an individual's state of being solitary or unaccompanied, denoting an unmarried status. It describes someone entering service without a wife who belonged to him before his servitude began.
• he shall go out (יֵצֵ֑א - yetze): This imperative verb signifies a commanded and definitive act of departure and liberation. It is the mandatory end of his servitude, underscoring the temporary nature of this state for Israelites.
• by himself (בְּגַפּוֹ֙ - b'gappo): The repetition underscores the principle of symmetry: the manner of his entrance dictates the manner of his departure regarding his marital status. This ensures consistency and fairness.
• if he was married (בַּ֣עַל אִשָּׁ֔ה ה֖וּא - ba'al ishah hu): Literally "master of a wife, he" or "husband of a wife, he." The term ba'al (בעל) here specifically means "husband," indicating his marital status at the point of entering service. It establishes a conditional clause that determines the subsequent outcome.
• then his wife (וְיָֽצְאָ֥ה אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ - v'yatza'ah ishto): The conjunctive "and" or "then" links the condition to its result. "His wife" specifically refers to the woman to whom he was married before entering service. Her liberty is explicitly tied to his.
• shall go out with him (עִמּֽוֹ׃ - immo): "With him" signifies that their release is simultaneous and united. This clause guarantees that an already existing marital bond is not severed by the man's temporary servitude. It prioritizes the stability and sanctity of the family unit under the law.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself": This sets the default rule. It affirms that if an individual has no family obligation upon entering, they are under no obligation to leave with one provided by the master during servitude, maintaining individual autonomy within the bounds of temporary servitude. This rule respects the servant's original status.
• "if he was married, then his wife shall go out with him": This critical clause showcases the divine concern for marital integrity. It provides a distinct safeguard against potential exploitation or arbitrary separation of families. It demonstrates that while the Israelite was a servant, his identity as a husband, and his foundational family unit, remained protected by the law, counteracting common ancient Near Eastern practices that could lead to familial disintegration under debt.

Exodus 21 3 Bonus section

• The law in Ex 21:3 is fundamental to distinguishing Hebrew servitude from typical chattel slavery. It demonstrates that the servant's humanity and family relationships were recognized and protected by God's covenantal law.
• The meticulous legal distinctions in the Book of the Covenant, like those concerning family separation, often served as a silent polemic against the arbitrary and cruel laws prevalent in other ancient Near Eastern legal codes (e.g., Hammurabi's Code), highlighting Israel's unique identity under a just God.
• The concept of "going out free" from service (like from Egypt) reflects a deep theological theme of liberation that permeates Israel's identity and is ultimately fulfilled in spiritual liberation through Christ.
• The wife's freedom being tied to the husband's reflects the biblical understanding of marriage as "one flesh" (Gen 2:24), where the spouses' destinies are intertwined and respected under God's law.

Exodus 21 3 Commentary

Exodus 21:3 reveals the compassionate and just nature of God's Law, even within the system of temporary servitude prevalent in ancient Israel. Unlike the brutal chattel slavery common among surrounding nations, Mosaic Law meticulously established regulations that prevented abuse and upheld human dignity. This particular verse addresses a core concern: the integrity of the family unit. The foundational principle here is "how he came in, so he shall go out." This means if a man was single when he entered service due to poverty or debt, he would leave single. But crucially, if he was already married before becoming a servant, his pre-existing wife must be released alongside him after his six years of service. This specific rule provides a direct contrast to the situation described in the very next verse (Ex 21:4), where if a master provides a wife during the servitude, she and her children remain with the master. Thus, Exodus 21:3 emphasizes the protection of marital covenants made before the servitude, demonstrating that even temporary bondage could not dissolve divinely established familial bonds. This highlights God's unwavering regard for the institution of marriage and the stability of families within His covenant people, providing both a just legal framework and a model of compassionate governance.