Exodus 21:3

If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him.

Study Bible

If he arrived alone,
This phrase refers to the Hebrew servant who enters into servitude. In the context of ancient Israel, servitude was often a means of paying off debt or poverty. The law provided that a Hebrew servant would serve for six years and be released in the seventh year (Exodus 21:2). The emphasis on arriving alone underscores the personal nature of the servitude agreement. It highlights the principle of individual responsibility and the preservation of personal rights and status upon entering and exiting servitude. This reflects the broader biblical theme of justice and fairness in social and economic relationships.

he is to leave alone;
The stipulation that the servant leaves alone if he arrived alone ensures that his personal status and possessions remain unchanged by his period of servitude. This provision protects the servant from losing personal relationships or property due to his temporary economic condition. It also reflects the biblical principle of restoration and redemption, where individuals are restored to their original state after a period of trial or service. This can be seen as a type of the ultimate redemption found in Christ, who restores believers to their intended state before God.

if he arrived with a wife,
The mention of a wife indicates that the servant's family status is recognized and respected. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, family units were integral to social and economic life. The law acknowledges the servant's marital status and ensures that his family is not disrupted by his servitude. This reflects the biblical emphasis on the sanctity of marriage and the family unit, as seen in Genesis 2:24, where a man and woman become one flesh.

she is to leave with him.
This provision ensures that the servant's wife, who may have shared in his economic hardship, is also released with him. It underscores the protection of family integrity and unity, even in situations of economic distress. This reflects the biblical theme of covenant faithfulness, where God remains faithful to His people and their families. The protection of the family unit can also be seen as a type of the Church, the bride of Christ, who is united with Him and shares in His redemption and inheritance.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hebrew Servant
The subject of the law in Exodus 21:3, referring to a Hebrew man who has sold himself into servitude, typically due to debt or poverty.

2. Wife
The wife of the Hebrew servant, who is mentioned in the context of the servant's release.

3. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received and communicated God's laws, including those in Exodus 21, to the people.

4. Mount Sinai
The place where Moses received the laws from God, including the laws concerning servants.

5. Israelites
The people to whom these laws were given, forming the context of the covenant community.

Teaching Points

Understanding Servitude in Ancient Israel
The servitude described in Exodus 21 was not akin to modern understandings of slavery but was often a means of survival and debt repayment.

The Sanctity of Marriage
The law acknowledges the bond of marriage, ensuring that a servant's marital status is respected and preserved upon his release.

God's Justice and Compassion
These laws reflect God's concern for justice and compassion, ensuring that even those in servitude are treated with dignity and fairness.

The Principle of Freedom
The release of servants after a period of service points to a broader biblical theme of freedom and redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

Application to Modern Life
While the cultural context has changed, the principles of justice, compassion, and respect for family relationships remain relevant today.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the law in Exodus 21:3 reflect God's character and His concern for justice and family?

2. In what ways can the principles found in Exodus 21:3 be applied to modern employment practices and relationships?

3. How does the concept of servitude in ancient Israel differ from modern understandings of slavery, and what can we learn from this distinction?

4. How do the teachings in Deuteronomy 15 and Leviticus 25 expand our understanding of the release of servants and the Year of Jubilee?

5. How can the principles of unity and respect in marriage, as seen in Exodus 21:3, be applied to strengthen Christian marriages today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 25
Discusses the Year of Jubilee and the release of servants, providing a broader context for the release of Hebrew servants.

Deuteronomy 15
Expands on the laws of releasing servants, emphasizing the importance of treating them with dignity and fairness.

1 Corinthians 7
Paul discusses marriage and the responsibilities of spouses, which can be related to the principle of unity in marriage seen in Exodus 21:3.

Galatians 3
Speaks to the equality of all believers in Christ, which can be connected to the fair treatment of servants and their families.

Ephesians 5
Discusses the relationship between husbands and wives, which can be related to the unity and mutual respect implied in Exodus 21:3.