Exodus 21:7-8 discusses laws relating to servitude among the Israelites. It reads:

“If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as male servants do. If she does not please the master who has selected her for himself, he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, because he has broken faith with her.”

This passage is part of a larger section of laws given to the Israelites after their Exodus from Egypt, intended to govern various aspects of their society. It’s important to understand this in its historical and cultural context. During the time these laws were given, servitude was a common practice in many cultures, including among the Israelites. These laws were revolutionary at the time for providing protections for servants, which was not the norm in the ancient Near East.

In this specific passage, the law provides protection for a female servant who was sold by her father. The passage recognizes her dignity and rights in a few ways:

1. Redemption: If the woman does not “please” her master—likely meaning if he chooses not to marry her or if the intended marriage arrangement does not proceed—she must be allowed the opportunity to be redeemed. This could mean a family member buying back her freedom.
2. Prohibition against selling: The master cannot sell her to foreign people. This law protects the woman from further harm or injustice, indicating a concern for her well-being beyond the immediate context.
3. Acknowledgment of wrongdoing: The reason given for not selling her to foreigners is that the master has “broken faith with her.” This suggests that the master’s failure to marry her or treat her as he promised is viewed as a breach of trust or faith.

These verses reflect the Bible’s broader themes of justice, compassion, and God’s care for the vulnerable. While the practices described are far removed from modern sensibilities and social norms, the underlying principles of protection and justice for those in subordinate positions can still speak to contemporary issues of human dignity and rights.