If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
If the master who bought her to be his wife is not pleased with her, then he must allow her family to buy her back. He cannot sell her to foreigners, because he has broken his promise to her.
This verse protects a female servant from being sold to strangers if her master breaks his promise to marry her, requiring him to let her family redeem her instead.
📚 Historical Context
Exodus 21:8 is part of the laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai as part of the Covenant Code, which provided guidelines for treating slaves in ancient Israel to promote justice and prevent abuse. In the cultural context of that time, slavery was common due to economic hardships, and this verse specifically addressed a situation where a man purchased a female slave for marriage but later rejected her, requiring him to allow her redemption rather than exploit her further. This law reflected God's concern for protecting the vulnerable and ensuring fair dealings in a society where women had limited rights.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.