What is the meaning of Exodus 21:3? If he arrived alone “If he arrived alone” roots the law in a concrete situation: a Hebrew servant begins his six-year term as a single man. • Scripture consistently treats individual circumstances with precision (cf. Leviticus 25:39–41, emphasizing personal identity in servitude). • The wording safeguards personal dignity—his singleness is noted because God observes and values each person’s state (Psalm 33:13-15). • Literal accuracy matters: the text means exactly what it says—he started out with no wife, no dependents, no shared obligations. he is to leave alone The same man must “leave alone” at liberation (v. 2). • Freedom is complete; no new relational burdens are imposed by the master (Galatians 5:1; Deuteronomy 15:12-13). • God’s justice demands the servant depart in the same relational condition in which he entered, illustrating personal responsibility (2 Corinthians 5:10). • The law prevents exploitation—no one may claim ongoing rights over him once his term ends (Isaiah 58:6). if he arrived with a wife Now the statute addresses a different starting point: “if he arrived with a wife.” • Marriage is acknowledged as pre-existing and God-ordained (Genesis 2:24; Proverbs 18:22). • By naming the wife, the law underscores family unity even during servitude (Ephesians 5:31-33). • The text’s literal detail affirms that God tracks and protects household structures (Joshua 24:15). she is to leave with him “she is to leave with him” secures the wife’s liberation alongside her husband. • God upholds marital oneness—in freedom they remain one flesh (Matthew 19:6). • The wife is never treated as the master’s property; her status mirrors her husband’s (1 Peter 3:7; Colossians 3:19). • The clause preserves the covenant bond and prohibits any attempt to sever or hinder it (Malachi 2:14-16). summary Exodus 21:3 sets a straightforward, literal rule: a servant exits slavery exactly as he entered—single or married. This protects individual liberty, honors marriage, and showcases God’s just concern for every detail of His people’s lives. |
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