Exodus 21:11
New International Version
If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

New Living Translation
If he fails in any of these three obligations, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment.

English Standard Version
And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

Berean Standard Bible
If, however, he does not provide her with these three things, she is free to go without monetary payment.

King James Bible
And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.

New King James Version
And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money.

New American Standard Bible
But if he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go free for nothing, without payment of money.

NASB 1995
“If he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

NASB 1977
“And if he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

Legacy Standard Bible
And if he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.

Amplified Bible
If he does not do these three things for her, then shall she leave free, without payment of money.

Christian Standard Bible
And if he does not do these three things for her, she may leave free of charge, without any payment.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And if he does not do these three things for her, she may leave free of charge, without any exchange of money.”

American Standard Version
And if he do not these three things unto her, then shall she go out for nothing, without money.

Contemporary English Version
If he fails to do any of these things, she must be given her freedom without paying for it.

English Revised Version
And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out for nothing, without money.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If he doesn't give her these three things, she can go free, without paying any money for her freedom.

Good News Translation
If he does not fulfill these duties to her, he must set her free and not receive any payment.

International Standard Version
If he does not do these three things for her, she may go out without paying anything at all."

Majority Standard Bible
If, however, he does not provide her with these three things, she is free to go without monetary payment.

NET Bible
If he does not provide her with these three things, then she will go out free, without paying money.

New Heart English Bible
If he doesn't do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if he shall not perform these three to her, then shall she depart free without money.

World English Bible
If he doesn’t do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if he does not do these three for her, then she has gone out for nothing, without money.

Young's Literal Translation
and if these three he do not to her, then she hath gone out for nought, without money.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if he shall not do these three to her, she shall go forth gratuitously without silver.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If he do not these three things, she shall go out free without money.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If he does not do these three things, she shall depart freely, without money.

New American Bible
If he does not do these three things for her, she may leave without cost, without any payment.

New Revised Standard Version
And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out without debt, without payment of money.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if be does not these three things to her, then she shall go out free without price.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if he will not do these three things to her, she will go out freely without expense.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out for nothing, without money.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if he will not do these three things to her, she shall go out free without money.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws for Servants
10If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife. 11If, however, he does not provide her with these three things, she is free to go without monetary payment.

Cross References
Deuteronomy 24:1-4
If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, ...

1 Corinthians 7:15
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace.

Matthew 19:8-9
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But it was not this way from the beginning. / Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Malachi 2:16
“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

Ephesians 5:25-28
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her / to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, / and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. ...

Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Matthew 5:31-32
It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Mark 10:2-12
Some Pharisees came to test Him. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they inquired. / “What did Moses command you?” He replied. / They answered, “Moses permitted a man to write his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away.” ...

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

1 Timothy 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Proverbs 31:10-12
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.


Treasury of Scripture

And if he do not these three to her, then shall she go out free without money.

Exodus 21:2
If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

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Exodus 21
1. Laws for men servants
5. For the servant whose ear is bored
7. For women servants
12. For manslaughter
16. For kidnappers
17. For cursers of parents
18. For smiters
22. For a hurt by chance
28. For an ox that gores
33. For him who is an occasion of harm














If, however, he does not provide her with these three things,
This phrase refers to the obligations of a master towards a female servant, particularly in the context of ancient Israelite society. The "three things" are generally understood to be food, clothing, and marital rights, as outlined in the preceding verses. This reflects the cultural and legal expectations of the time, where a servant, especially a female one, was to be treated with a certain level of care and dignity. The provision of these necessities was a legal requirement, ensuring the servant's well-being and protection. This can be seen as an early form of social justice within the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment.

she is free to go
This indicates the servant's right to freedom if her basic needs are not met. In the historical context, this was a significant provision, as it offered a form of protection and autonomy to a vulnerable individual. The concept of freedom here is not just physical but also social and economic, allowing the woman to leave an oppressive situation. This reflects God's concern for justice and the protection of the marginalized, a theme consistent throughout Scripture.

without monetary payment.
This clause ensures that the woman is not financially penalized for leaving, highlighting the fairness and justice embedded in the law. In ancient times, servants were often bound by financial agreements, but this provision ensures that the failure of the master to fulfill his obligations nullifies any such debts. This can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament teachings on freedom and redemption, where Christ's sacrifice frees believers from the bondage of sin without cost to them. The principle of liberation without payment echoes the grace offered through Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and offers freedom to all who believe.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hebrew Servant Girl
The context of this verse involves a Hebrew servant girl who has been sold into servitude, often due to poverty or debt. The law provided specific protections for her well-being.

2. Master
The individual who has purchased the servant girl. He is responsible for her care and is bound by the law to provide for her needs.

3. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the Law from God on Mount Sinai. He is the mediator through whom these laws were given to the people.

4. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave Moses the Law, including the regulations found in Exodus 21.

5. Israelites
The people to whom these laws were given, forming the covenant community under God's rule.
Teaching Points
God's Concern for Justice
This law reflects God's concern for justice and the protection of the vulnerable. It underscores the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect.

Provision and Responsibility
The master’s obligation to provide for the servant girl’s needs highlights the broader biblical principle of caring for those under our responsibility.

Freedom and Redemption
The provision for the servant girl’s freedom without payment points to the theme of redemption and liberation, which is central to the biblical account.

Equality Before God
The law serves as a reminder that all people, regardless of their social status, are valued by God and deserve fair treatment.

Application in Modern Context
While the specific cultural context of servitude may differ today, the principles of justice, provision, and freedom remain relevant in addressing issues of inequality and exploitation.(11) These three--i.e., one of these three things: (1) Espouse her himself; (2) marry her to his son; or (3) transfer her, on the terms on which he received her, to another Hebrew.

Verse 11. - If he do not these three unto her. Not the "three" points of the latter part of ver. 10; but one of the three courses laid down in vers. 8, 9, and 10. She shall go out free - i.e., she shall not be retained as a drudge, a mere maidservant, but shall return to her father at once, a free woman, capable of contracting another marriage; and without money - i.e., without the father being called upon to refund any portion of the stun for which he had sold her.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If, however,
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

he does not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

provide
יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

her
לָ֑הּ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

these
אֵ֔לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

three things,
שְׁלָ֨שׁ־ (šə·lāš-)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

she is free to go
וְיָצְאָ֥ה (wə·yā·ṣə·’āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

without
אֵ֥ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

monetary payment.
כָּֽסֶף׃ (kā·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money


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OT Law: Exodus 21:11 If he doesn't do these three things (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 21:10
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