Exodus 21:6

_THEN HIS MASTER SHALL BRING HIM UNTO THE JUDGES; HE SHALL ALSO BRING HIM TO THE DOOR, OR UNTO THE DOOR POST; AND HIS MASTER SHALL BORE HIS EAR THROUGH WITH AN AUL; AND HE SHALL SERVE HIM FOR EVER._ Then his master shall bring him unto the judges, х_ 'EL_ (H413) _ HAA-'ªLOHIYM_ (H430)] - gods, a name applied by the Egyptians to rulers, and borrowed, from familiarity with their dialect, by the Hebrews on their exodus from that country (Michaelis, 'Commentary,' vol. 1:, p. 192). Some, however prefer taking the words in the ordinary sense, 'before God,' of whom the judges were only the earthly representatives (see the notes at Exodus 22:8; Exodus 22:28;...

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....

Verse Exodus 21:6. _SHALL BRING HIM UNTO THE JUDGES_] אל האלהים _el haelohim,_ literally, _to God_; or, as the Septuagint have it, προς το κριτηριον Θεου, _to the judgment of God_; who condescended to dwell among his people; who determined all their differences till he had given them laws for all cases, and who, by his omniscience, brought to light the hidden things of dishonesty. See Exodus 22:8. _BORE HIS EAR THROUGH WITH AN AWL_] This was a ceremony sufficiently significant, as it implied, 1. That he was closely _attached_ to that house and family. 2. That he was bound to _hear_ all his master's orders, and to _obey_ them punctually. Boring of the ear was an ancient custom in the east. It is referred to by _Juvenal_

FOREVER - That is, most probably, until the next Jubilee, when every Hebrew was set free. See Leviticus 25:40, Leviticus 25:50. The custom of boring the ear as a mark of slavery appears to have been a common one in ancient times, observed in many nations. UNTO THE JUDGES - Literally, “before the gods אלהים _'ĕlohı̂ym_.” The word does not denote “judges” in a direct way, but it is to be understood as the name of God, in its ordinary plural form, God being the source of all justice. The name in this connection always has the definite article prefixed. See the marginal references. Compare Psalms 82:1,...

EXPOSITION THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT.—_Continued_. I. _Laws connected with the rights of persons_ (Exodus 21:1). The regulations of this section concern— 1. Slavery (Exodus 21:2); 2. Murder and other kinds of homicide (Exodus 21:12-2 and Exodus 21:20, Exodus 21:21); 3. Man-stealing ...

THEN HIS MASTER SHALL BRING HIM UNTO THE JUDGES,.... To Elohim, to God, to the judgment seat of God, according to the Septuagint; to some person or persons to inquire of God what is to be done in such a case; but this seems needless, since it is here declared: no doubt civil magistrates or judges are meant by Elohim, or the gods, as in Psalms 82:1, and so Jarchi interprets it of the house of judgment, or sanhedrim, the court that had convicted the servant of theft, and had sold him to him, it was proper he should acquaint them with it, have their opinion about it; and especially it was proper to have him to them, that he might before them, even in open court, declare his willingness to abide in his master's service; and from whom, as the Targum of Jonathan, he was to receive power and authority to retain him in his service: he shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost

CHAPTER 21 DIFFERENT JUDGMENTS _ 1. Master and servant (Exodus 21:1)_ 2. Concerning injury to the person (Exodus 21:12) 3. Concerning property (Exodus 21:33) The Three Chapter s which follow the giving of the Ten Commandments give the practical application of the Decalogue in the daily life. The duties towards the fellowman are demonstrated in part. There are seven sections to these three Chapter s; each section contains ten precepts. The servant occupies the first place. He was to obtain his freedom for nothing after serving six years. In Deuteronomy we read that the master is commanded not to let him go empty-handed, but give him of his flock, his threshing floor and his winepress.

EXODUS 21:2 E. THE LAWS OF SLAVERY. In the 19th cent. slaves were bought and sold as chattels in Liverpool. Here we see one of the stages towards the abolition of slavery, _i.e._ regulation, then the only practicable course. Hebrews might become slaves through sale by parents, or forced sale for theft or insolvency, or through poverty (p. 110). Later stages of law are reflected in Deuteronomy 15:12 * and Leviticus 25:39 *. A male slave by six years'service earned the right to rest from servitude in the seventh year, his wife accompanying him only if he were already married (Exodus 21:3 f.), but if he could say,

THE JUDGES. See note on 22. e. BORE HIS EAR. Hence. symbol of obedience an perpetual servitude. Compare Psalms 40:6; Isaiah 48:8; Isaiah 50:5 and see note on Hebrews 10:5. FOR EVER. Figure of speech _Synecdoche_ (of Whole). App-6. A time put for limited time; "for life", or till the jubilee, Leviticus 25:13; Leviticus 25:28; Leviticus 25:40;...

Exodus 20:22 to Exodus 23:33 _The Book of the Covenant_ The -Book of the Covenant" (see Exodus 24:7 in explanation of the name) is the oldest piece of Hebrew legislation that we possess. The laws contained in it are spoken of in Exodus 24:3 as consisting of two elements, the WORDS (or commands) and the JUDGEMENTS: the JUDGEMENTS (see on Exodus 21:1) are the provisions relating to civil and criminal law, prescribing what is to be done when particular cases arise, and comprised in...