Deuteronomy 15:12

thy brother See on Deuteronomy 15:2.

an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman E, Exodus 21:2, an Hebrew slave. In O.T. Hebrewis used either when foreigners are speaking of Israelites, or in order to distinguish Israelites from foreigners. Here the Heb. gives only the adj. masc. and fem., Hebrewand Hebrewess, without adding man(so Jeremiah 34:9; Jeremiah 34:14; cp. Genesis 14:13, Abram the Hebrewand Genesis 39:17 (J) the Hebrew slave). The fuller phrase Hebrew manoccurs in J and E (Genesis 39:14; Exodus 2:11), also the plur. Hebrews(Genesis 40:15; Exodus 2:6; Exodus 2:13, etc.). Fem. sing. only here and Jeremiah 34:9, plur. in E (Exodus 1:15, etc.). Not found in P. On the addition Hebrew woman, see Introd. § 3.

be sold unto thee Leviticus 25:39 A.V.: but the vb. equally means sell himself. E, Exodus 21:2, has if thou buy.

and serve more probably he shall serve (cp. Exodus 21:2).

in the seventh year thou shalt let him go sendor dismiss him. Neither in E nor D is there any hint of this number being suggested by the weekly sabbath; this association first appears in H's law of the seventh fallow year, Leviticus 25:2 ff.

free the same adj. in Exodus 21:2; Exodus 21:5, and elsewhere of freedom from slavery.