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Exodus 21:5

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

But if the servant clearly says, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not leave as a free person,'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse describes a servant who chooses to stay with his master permanently because of love for his family and master, rather than accepting freedom.

📚 Historical Context

In ancient Israel, after the Exodus from Egypt, God gave the Israelites a set of laws through Moses to establish a just society, including regulations for Hebrew servants to prevent exploitation. This verse addresses a specific situation where a male servant, who had married and had children during his service, could choose to remain with his family rather than accept his freedom after six years. These laws reflected the cultural norms of the ancient Near East but included protections that emphasized humane treatment and voluntary commitment.

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