9 If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter.
9 And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.
9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter.
9 If he turns her over to his son, he has to treat her like a daughter.
9 And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters.
9 But if the slave's owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave but as a daughter.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 21:9
Commentary on Exodus 21:1-11
(Read Exodus 21:1-11)
The laws in this chapter relate to the fifth and sixth commandments; and though they differ from our times and customs, nor are they binding on us, yet they explain the moral law, and the rules of natural justice. The servant, in the state of servitude, was an emblem of that state of bondage to sin, Satan, and the law, which man is brought into by robbing God of his glory, by the transgression of his precepts. Likewise in being made free, he was an emblem of that liberty wherewith Christ, the Son of God, makes free from bondage his people, who are free indeed; and made so freely, without money and without price, of free grace.