Exodus - 12:44



44 but every man's servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then shall he eat of it.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Exodus 12:44.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
But every bought servant shall be circumcised, and so shall eat.
but every man's bondman that is bought for money let him be circumcised: then shall he eat it.
and any man's servant, the purchase of money, when thou hast circumcised him, then he doth eat of it;
But every man's servant, whom he has got for money, may take of it, when he has had circumcision.
But every bought servant shall be circumcised, and so he may eat from it.
Sed omnis servus viri pecunia emptus, postquam ipsum circumciderit, comedet ex eo.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Servant - The circumcision of the slave, thus enjoined formally on the first day that Israel became a nation, in accordance with the law given to Abraham, (see the margin reference) made him a true member of the family, equally entitled to all religious privileges. In the household of a priest the slave was even permitted to eat the consecrated food: Leviticus 22:11.

But every man's servant that is bought for money,.... And so his own property:
when thou hast circumcised him; as such an one ought to be, according to the covenant of circumcision given to Abraham, Genesis 17:13, though one should think not without his consent; wherefore care was to be taken to purchase such servants as would be willing to conform to that rite, and pains were to be taken with them to instruct them in it, and persuade them to it; to which, when they had submitted, they had a right to eat the passover, but if they did not, it was not allowed:
then shall he eat thereof; but not otherwise.

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