Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 21:2

2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant , six years he shall serve: and in the seventh year he shall go out free for nothing.

Of which practise see Ier. 34. 14. This was allowed in two cases: 1. when a man for his crimes was condemned by the Judges to be sold. Of which see Exod. 22. 3. 2 King. 4. 1. Mat. 18. 25. 2. when a man pressed by great poverty, sold himself or his children: Of which see Lev. 25. 39, 40.

Which is to be numbred, either 1. from the last Sabbatical year or year of release, which came every seventh year: and then the sence of the place is, not that he shall always serve six full years, but that he shall never serve longer, and that his service shall last onely till that year comes. Or rather 2. from the beginning of his service; for 1. it were a very improper speech to say be shall serve six years, of one who possibly entred into his service but a month before the year of release. 2. In the law of the Sabbatical year there is no mention of the release of servants, as there is of other things, Lev. 25. Deut. 15. and in the year of Iubilee, when servants are to be released, it is expressed so, as Lev. 25. 54, 55.

Marginal references: Deut. 15. 12.