And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

EXODUS 21:27KJV
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Exodus 21:27 (KJV)

What does Exodus 21:27 mean?

Exodus 21:27 says that if a master knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, the servant must be set free as compensation for the injury. This law sets a limit on how a master could treat a servant, requiring freedom as a consequence for causing even a relatively small injury.

Moses is relaying God’s laws to the Israelites about fair treatment of servants. The verse comes in a section detailing specific cases of personal injury and the responsibilities of those in authority. The rule highlights that servants had legal protection, and even the loss of a tooth was enough to require their release, showing concern for their dignity and well-being.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 21:27

  • חֵרֶף (ḥēʿereph, “tooth”): The word for “tooth” appears three times in the tags (H8127), emphasizing that even a minor injury like losing a tooth was taken seriously in this law.
  • שָׁלַח (shalach, “go”): This word (H7971) means “to send away” or “let go,” showing that the servant was not just compensated but was actually released from service.
  • חָפְשִׁי (ḥofshi, “free”): This word (H2670) means “free” or “liberated,” making it clear that the servant’s release was complete freedom, not just a temporary reprieve.

Why Exodus 21:27 matters

  • Exodus 21:27 clears up the idea that servants in ancient Israel had no rights; even a small injury required their release, showing that the law protected vulnerable people.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness with which God expected masters to treat their servants, holding them accountable for mistreatment.
  • This law fits into a larger section that balances authority and responsibility, showing that power over others came with strict limits and consequences for abuse.

Where else these words appear

“free” Hebrew H2670 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 21:2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
  • Deuteronomy 15:18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.
  • Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

“tooth” Hebrew H8127 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.
  • Job 19:20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
  • Song of Solomon 5:14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

“maidservant's” Hebrew H519 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • Deuteronomy 5:14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
  • 1 Samuel 25:41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.