Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free, without paying anything. New Living Translation “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he may serve for no more than six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom. English Standard Version When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. Berean Standard Bible If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. King James Bible If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. New King James Version If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. New American Standard Bible “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall leave as a free man without a payment to you. NASB 1995 “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. NASB 1977 “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. Legacy Standard Bible “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. Amplified Bible “If you purchase a Hebrew servant [because of his debt or poverty], he shall serve six years, and in the seventh [year] he shall leave as a free man, paying nothing. Christian Standard Bible “When you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve for six years; then in the seventh he is to leave as a free man without paying anything. Holman Christian Standard Bible When you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve for six years; then in the seventh he is to leave as a free man without paying anything. American Standard Version If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. Contemporary English Version If you buy a Hebrew slave, he must remain your slave for six years. But in the seventh year you must set him free, without cost to him. English Revised Version If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Whenever you buy a Hebrew slave, he will be your slave for six years. In the seventh year he may leave as a free man, without paying for his freedom. Good News Translation If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve you for six years. In the seventh year he is to be set free without having to pay anything. International Standard Version "When you acquire a Hebrew servant, he is to serve for six years, and in the seventh he is to go out a free man without paying anything. Majority Standard Bible If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. NET Bible "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he will go out free without paying anything. New Heart English Bible "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years and in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything. Webster's Bible Translation If thou shalt buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall depart free for nothing. World English Bible “If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhen you buy a Hebrew servant, he serves [for] six years, and in the seventh he goes out as a freeman for nothing; Young's Literal Translation 'When thou buyest a Hebrew servant -- six years he doth serve, and in the seventh he goeth out as a freeman for nought; Smith's Literal Translation If thou shalt buy a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve: and in the seventh he shall go forth free gratuitously. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve thee: in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. Catholic Public Domain Version If you buy a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve you; in the seventh, he shall depart freely, without charge. New American Bible When you purchase a Hebrew slave, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall leave as a free person without any payment. New Revised Standard Version When you buy a male Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, but in the seventh he shall go out a free person, without debt. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen you buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve you; and in the seventh year he shall go out free from your house without price. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated When you will buy a Hebrew Servant, six years he will serve you and in the seventh he will go forth as a son of freedom from your presence. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve; and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. Brenton Septuagint Translation If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve thee, and in the seventh year he shall go forth free for nothing. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Laws for Servants1“These are the ordinances that you are to set before them: 2If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. 3If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him.… Cross References Leviticus 25:39-43 If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor. / Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. / Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. ... Deuteronomy 15:12-18 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. / And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. ... Jeremiah 34:14 Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear. Nehemiah 5:5 We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless to redeem them because our fields and vineyards belong to others.” 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. / For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. / You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Galatians 4:1-7 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. / He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. / So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world. ... Matthew 18:23-35 Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. / As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents was brought to him. / Since the man was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay his debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned. ... Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, / to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, Philemon 1:15-16 For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord. Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Ephesians 6:5-9 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ... 1 Timothy 6:1-2 All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles. Titus 2:9-10 Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, / not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior. Romans 6:16-18 Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? / But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. / You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Treasury of Scripture If you buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. an Hebrew Exodus 12:44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. Exodus 22:3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. Genesis 27:28,36 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: … and in the Leviticus 25:40-43,45 But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile: … Deuteronomy 15:1,12-15,18 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release… Deuteronomy 31:10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, Jump to Previous Bondman Buy Buyest Depart Free Freeman Hebrew Money Nought Paying Payment Servant Serve Seventh Six SlaveJump to Next Bondman Buy Buyest Depart Free Freeman Hebrew Money Nought Paying Payment Servant Serve Seventh Six SlaveExodus 21 1. Laws for men servants5. 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 you buy a Hebrew servant, In ancient Israel, servitude was a common practice, often resulting from poverty or debt. A Hebrew servant was typically a fellow Israelite who sold themselves into servitude to pay off debts or to provide for their family. This practice is distinct from slavery as understood in other historical contexts, as it was regulated by the Law of Moses to ensure humane treatment. The term "buy" here indicates a contractual agreement rather than ownership of a person, reflecting the economic and social structures of the time. he is to serve you for six years. But in the seventh year, he shall go free without paying anything. Persons / Places / Events 1. Hebrew ServantA fellow Israelite who, due to poverty or debt, sells himself into servitude. This was a common practice in ancient Israel as a means of survival or debt repayment. 2. Six Years of Service The period during which the Hebrew servant is obligated to serve his master. This reflects a structured and limited time of servitude, emphasizing the temporary nature of this arrangement. 3. Seventh Year The year of release, symbolizing freedom and restoration. This reflects the broader biblical principle of Sabbath rest and liberation. 4. Israelite Society The cultural and legal context in which these laws were given, reflecting God's covenant relationship with His people and His concern for justice and mercy. 5. Mosaic Law The body of laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai, which includes civil, ceremonial, and moral laws for the Israelites. Teaching Points God's Concern for Justice and MercyThe law reflects God's heart for justice and mercy, ensuring that servitude is not perpetual and that individuals are restored to freedom. The Principle of Rest and Release The seventh year of release mirrors the Sabbath principle, reminding us of the importance of rest and renewal in our lives. Freedom in Christ Just as the Hebrew servant is set free, believers are reminded of the spiritual freedom they have in Christ, who liberates us from the bondage of sin. Generosity and Compassion The release of servants calls us to practice generosity and compassion, ensuring that we treat others with dignity and respect. Trust in God's Provision The law encourages trust in God's provision, as releasing servants requires faith that God will provide for both the servant and the master.(2) If thou buy an Hebrew servant.--Ancient society was founded upon slavery. "The ultimate elements of the household," says Aristotle, "are the master and his slave, the husband and his wife, the father and his children" (Pol. i. 2, ? 1). In any consideration of the rights of persons, those of the slave class naturally presented themselves first of all, since they were the most liable to infraction. Slaves might be either natives or foreigners. A Hebrew could become a slave--(1) through crime (Exodus 22:3); (2) through indebtedness (Leviticus 25:39); (3) through his father's right to sell him (Nehemiah 5:5). Foreign slaves might be either prisoners taken in war, or persons bought of their owners (Leviticus 25:45). The rights of Hebrew slaves are here specially considered. Six years shall he serve.--The Hebrew was not to be retained in slavery for a longer space than six years. If a jubilee year occurred before the end of the six years, then he regained his freedom earlier (Leviticus 25:39-41); but in no case could he be retained more than six years in the slave condition, except by his own consent, formally given (Exodus 21:5). This law was an enormous advance upon anything previously known in the slave legislation of the most civilised country, and stamps the Mosaic code at once as sympathising with the slave, and bent on ameliorating his lot. It has been thought strange by some that slavery was not now abrogated; but even Christianity, fifteen hundred years later, did not venture on so complete a social revolution. . . . Verse 2. ? If thou buy an Hebrew servant. Slavery, it is clear, was an existing institution. The law of Moses did not make it, but found it, and by not forbidding, allowed it. The Divine legislator was content under the circumstances to introduce mitigations and alleviations into the slave condition. Hebrews commonly became slaves through poverty (Leviticus 25:35, 39), but sometimes through crime (Exodus 22:3). In the seventh he shall go out. Not in the Sabbatical year, but at the commencement of the seventh year after he became a slave. If the jubilee year happened to occur, he might be released sooner (Leviticus 25:40); but in any case his servitude must end when the sixth year of it was completed. This was an enormous boon, and had nothing, so far as is known, correspondent to it in the legislation of any other country. Nor was this all. When he went out free, his late master was bound to furnish him with provisions out of his flock, and out of his threshing floor, and out of his winepress (Deuteronomy 15:12-14), so that he might have something wherewith to begin the world afresh. The humane spirit of the legislation is strikingly marked in its very first enactment.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifכִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you buy תִקְנֶה֙ (ṯiq·neh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own a Hebrew עִבְרִ֔י (‘iḇ·rî) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5680: Hebrews -- perhaps descendant of Eber, also another name for an Israelite servant, עֶ֣בֶד (‘e·ḇeḏ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant he is to serve you יַעֲבֹ֑ד (ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave for six שֵׁ֥שׁ (šêš) Number - feminine singular Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number) years. שָׁנִ֖ים (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8141: A year But in the seventh [year], וּבַ֨שְּׁבִעִ֔ת (ū·ḇaš·šə·ḇi·‘iṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular Strong's 7637: Seventh (an ordinal number) he shall go יֵצֵ֥א (yê·ṣê) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim free לַֽחָפְשִׁ֖י (la·ḥā·p̄ə·šî) Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2670: Exempt without paying anything. חִנָּֽם׃ (ḥin·nām) Adverb Strong's 2600: Gratis, devoid of cost, reason, advantage Links Exodus 21:2 NIVExodus 21:2 NLT Exodus 21:2 ESV Exodus 21:2 NASB Exodus 21:2 KJV Exodus 21:2 BibleApps.com Exodus 21:2 Biblia Paralela Exodus 21:2 Chinese Bible Exodus 21:2 French Bible Exodus 21:2 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 21:2 If you buy a Hebrew servant he (Exo. 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