Exodus 21:9 (KJV)

What does Exodus 21:9 mean?

Exodus 21:9 says that if a man arranges for a female servant to marry his son, he must treat her with the same respect and care as he would treat his own daughter. The verse sets a standard for the fair and honorable treatment of women in such situations.

In this part of Exodus, God is giving laws to the Israelites through Moses about how to treat servants, especially female servants. The verse addresses a situation where a servant girl is promised in marriage to the master’s son, making her part of the family. The law insists that she should not be treated as a mere servant anymore, but as a daughter, with all the dignity and rights that come with that status.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 21:9

• "betrothed" (יָעַד, yaʿad): This word means to designate or arrange for marriage. It shows that the servant girl is not just working in the household but is being brought into the family through marriage.
• "deal" (עָשָׂה, ʿasah): This word means to act or deal with. Here, it emphasizes that the master’s treatment of her should change to match her new status.
• "manner" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word often means judgment or custom. In this context, it refers to the proper way daughters are treated in the household.
• "daughters" (בַּת, bat): This word simply means daughters, but its use here makes clear that the servant girl is to be treated with the same care and respect as a biological daughter.

Why Exodus 21:9 matters

• Exodus 21:9 clarifies that a servant girl married into the family is to be treated with dignity, not as property or a lesser member.
• The verse highlights the importance of justice and fairness in family and social relationships, especially for those who might be vulnerable.
• This law connects to the broader passage by showing that God’s laws for Israel included protections for those who could easily be mistreated, setting a higher standard for how people were to treat one another.