If is the word ʾim, which usually introduces one of several possible situations to which the law applies. (See the comment at verse 2.) If he comes in single means, as Good News Translation translates, “If he was unmarried when he became your slave.” One may also say “If he does not yet have a wife when he becomes your slave.” Comes in is literally “he enters,” meaning “when he became your slave” (Good News Translation). Go out is literally “he exits.” So he shall go out single means “he is not to take a wife with him when he leaves” (Good News Translation).

If he comes in married uses the word ʾim again. Literally the Hebrew says “if he is an owner [or, husband] of a woman.” This means that if he brought a wife with him, then his wife shall go out with him, or “he may take his wife with him” (Good News Translation) when he leaves. Translator’s Old Testament has “his wife shall be released with him.” Contemporary English Version has “both he and his wife must be given their freedom.” One may also express this as “you must free both him and his wife.”

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 .