Exodus 21:8 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If a master betroths a maidservant to himself but then rejects her, she must be allowed redemption, and cannot be sold abroad.
The Context of Exodus 21:8
A rejected betrothed maidservant cannot be sold abroad
What Does Exodus 21:8 Mean?
When a master takes a daughter as a prospective wife (betrothal) but later decides against the arrangement, he cannot simply sell her to foreigners for profit. The law forbids treating her as a commodity to be disposed of. Instead, she must be allowed redemption—either through her family's purchase or through other lawful means.
This protection acknowledges the master's deceit: he accepted her under a domestic arrangement, raising her status and possibly changing her prospects, then rejected her. Justice requires he not exploit her vulnerability by exporting her into permanent foreign servitude.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 21:8
What does Exodus 21:8 mean?
If a master betroths a maidservant to himself but then rejects her, she must be allowed redemption, and cannot be sold abroad.
What is the context of Exodus 21:8?
A rejected betrothed maidservant cannot be sold abroad