complete verse (Exodus 21:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Exodus 21:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “And if he has not done like that, he has to release that woman without demanding (her) to pay anything.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If he does not provide her with these three things, she shall go free without any payment of money” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If he does- not -obey these three things, that woman is free to leave with nothing to-pay-for.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Bariai: “But if he doesn’t follow these three practices toward that laborer woman, he must allow her to leave and go. And that woman won’t give any payment to him.’” (Source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Opo: “If he forbids her these three things, let her leave from his place, not him money give.” (Source: Opo Back Translation)
  • English: “If he does not do all these three things for her, he must free her from being a slave, and she is not required to pay anything for being set free.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Exod 21:11

And if introduces the fourth possible situation of the female slave of verse 7. It gives an alternative to the situation in verse 10. These three things refers to the three “rights” mentioned there. The idea is that if the man “does not fulfill these duties to her,” then “he must set her free” (Good News Translation). Contemporary English Version has “If he fails to do any of these things.” For nothing is discussed at verse 2. Durham has “she shall go out a free woman,” and New American Bible has “she shall be given her freedom absolutely.”

Without payment of money, literally “absence of silver,” emphasizes the idea of for nothing. This means that there is no need for her to “be redeemed” as in verse 8. It also probably means that any family debt that may have caused her to be sold as a slave (verse 7) is to be canceled. As Good News Translation puts it, the man “must set her free and not receive any payment.” Contemporary English Version has “she must be given her freedom without cost.”

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 .