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The topic of slavery in the Bible is complex and often misunderstood. The Bible does not endorse slavery as it was practiced in many parts of the world, including the brutal and dehumanizing institution that existed in the Americas. Instead, the Bible provides regulations for a form of servitude that existed in ancient Israel, which was markedly different from the race-based chattel slavery known in more recent history. This study explores the biblical perspective on slavery, the rights of slaves in Israel, the condemnation of man-stealing, and God’s deliverance of His people from slavery, using references from the New King James Version (NKJV).
Slavery in Ancient Israel
Slavery in Biblical times was very different from the slavery that was and is practiced in many parts of the world today. The slavery in the Bible was not based exclusively on race. People were not enslaved because of their nationality or the color of their skin. In Bible times, slavery was a form of employment. Abraham said that the heir of his wealth was his servant Eliezer of Damascusas (Genesis 15:2-3) before he begat Issac.
In ancient Israel, slavery or servitude was often a form of debt repayment or a means of survival. It was not based on race and had built-in protections for the slaves.
Exodus 21:2-6 (NKJV)
“If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.”
This passage shows that Hebrew slaves were to be released after six years of service, highlighting a system designed to protect the welfare of the servant.
Leviticus 25:39-43 (NKJV)
“And if one of your brethren who dwells by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave. As a hired servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the Year of Jubilee. And then he shall depart from you—he and his children with him—and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers. For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves. You shall not rule over him with rigor, but you shall fear your God.”
Here, the term “slave” is better understood as “servant” or “bondservant,” and the passage emphasizes humane treatment and eventual freedom. The Lord even commanded that the servants not work on His Sabbath day (Exodus 20:10). And He also commanded servants to participate in the annual feasts (Deuteronomy 16:9-17).
Rights and Protections for Slaves
To protect slaves from cruelty, the Lord made it unlawful for runaway slaves to be returned to their masters (Deuteronomy 23:15-16). Thus, the Lord made cruelty to slaves costly to their owners. And slaves had the freedom to choose where, and with whom (a gentler owner), they wanted to live. The Lord forbade oppressing the slaves (Deuteronomy 24:14). And He provided legal protection to slaves (Exodus 21:20-27; Leviticus 25:44-46)
Condemnation of Man-Stealing
The Bible explicitly condemns the practice of kidnapping and selling people into slavery, a practice known as man-stealing.
Exodus 21:16 (NKJV)
“He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.”
This verse demonstrates that God condemned the act of kidnapping someone to sell them into slavery, emphasizing the value of each human life.
Deuteronomy 24:7 (NKJV)
“If a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you.”
This reinforces the severe punishment for those who engaged in man-stealing, further highlighting God’s stance against such practices.
God’s Deliverance of His People from Slavery
One of the central narratives of the Bible is God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, symbolizing God’s desire for His people to live in freedom and dignity.
Exodus 3:7-8 (NKJV)
“And the Lord said: ‘I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites.'”
God’s intervention to free the Israelites from Egyptian bondage underscores His commitment to justice and freedom.
Deuteronomy 5:15 (NKJV)
“And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.”
The reminder of their past slavery in Egypt served as a basis for ethical treatment of others, including servants and foreigners.
The New Testament Perspective
The Creator created all men equal (Proverbs 2:22; Ephesians 6:9; Galatians 3:28; Acts 17:26; Romans 2:11). However, sin introduced all forms of evils like slavery. The New Testament continues to address the issue of slavery, emphasizing the equality of all believers in Christ and urging masters to treat their slaves with kindness and respect.
Galatians 3:28 (NKJV)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
This verse highlights the fundamental equality of all people in Christ, regardless of social status.
Ephesians 6:5-9 (NKJV)
“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”
Paul instructs both slaves and masters to act with integrity and mutual respect, emphasizing that they are ultimately accountable to God.
Colossians 4:1 (NKJV)
“Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”
This verse calls for fair and just treatment of slaves, reminding masters of their own accountability to God.
The Letter to Philemon
The Epistle to Philemon is a personal letter from Paul regarding a runaway slave named Onesimus. Paul appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus not merely as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ.
Philemon 1:15-16 (NKJV)
“For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”
Paul’s letter to Philemon illustrates the transformative power of the gospel to redefine relationships and social status within the Christian community.
Conclusion
The Bible’s treatment of slavery is nuanced and must be understood within its historical and cultural context. While the Bible regulates a form of servitude that existed in ancient Israel, it provides significant protections for slaves and condemns the practice of man-stealing. The overarching biblical narrative emphasizes the dignity and equality of all people, as evidenced by God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and the New Testament teachings on equality in Christ.
In the New Testament, the radical message of equality and brotherhood in Christ challenges the institution of slavery, urging believers to treat each other with love, justice, and respect. The example of Paul’s letter to Philemon demonstrates the transformative potential of the gospel to transcend and ultimately dismantle societal structures that dehumanize individuals.
In summary, while the Bible acknowledges the existence of slavery in ancient times and provides regulations for its practice, it consistently affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person. The ultimate trajectory of biblical teaching points toward freedom, justice, and equality, reflecting God’s heart for all humanity.