If, literally “And if [ʾim],” indicates that this is an alternative to verse 26. (See the discussion at verse 2.) He knocks out the tooth is literally “he causes a tooth to fall.” His slave, male or female is literally “his [male] slave or his [female] slave,” as in verse 26. He shall let the slave go free for the tooth’s sake. Good News Translation uses exactly the same wording as in verse 26.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .