Topical Bible: Children: Sold for Debt

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In the ancient Near Eastern context, the practice of selling children into servitude to settle debts was a harsh reality that is addressed in the Bible. This practice is mentioned in several passages, reflecting the socio-economic conditions of the time and the legal frameworks that governed such situations.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 4:1 : "Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, 'Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.'" This passage highlights the desperation of a widow who faced the loss of her children to creditors after her husband's death. It underscores the vulnerability of families who were unable to repay debts and the severe consequences they faced.

2. Nehemiah 5:5 : "We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others." Here, the people of Israel lament the dire economic conditions that forced them to sell their children into slavery. Nehemiah's response to this situation was one of reform, as he sought to restore justice and alleviate the burdens of debt.

3. Leviticus 25:39-41 : "If your brother among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, you must not force him into slave labor. Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers." The Mosaic Law provided a framework for the treatment of those who sold themselves or their children into servitude due to debt. The Year of Jubilee was a time of liberation and restoration, ensuring that servitude was not permanent and that families could be reunited.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, the economic structure was primarily agrarian, and families often faced financial hardships due to crop failures, high taxes, or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, selling oneself or one's children into servitude was sometimes the only option to repay debts. This servitude was not intended to be equivalent to the harsh slavery seen in other cultures but was more akin to indentured servitude, with specific protections and eventual release mandated by the Law.

The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes compassion and justice for the poor and indebted. Prophets and leaders like Elisha and Nehemiah intervened to protect vulnerable families, reflecting God's concern for justice and mercy. The Year of Jubilee, as outlined in Leviticus, was a divine provision to prevent perpetual poverty and to restore social and economic balance.

Theological Implications:

The biblical treatment of debt and servitude underscores the importance of mercy, justice, and community responsibility. It reflects God's desire for His people to live in a society where the vulnerable are protected and where economic disparities do not lead to the breakdown of family units. The laws and narratives surrounding debt and servitude serve as a reminder of the call to care for one another and to seek justice for the oppressed.

These passages also point to the broader biblical theme of redemption and liberation, foreshadowing the ultimate redemption found in Christ, who came to set captives free and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor (Luke 4:18-19).

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 4:1
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take to him my two sons to be slaves.
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Nehemiah 5:5
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children: and, see, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought to bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
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Job 24:9
They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.
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Matthew 18:25
But for as much as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
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Library

No Forgiveness to the Unforgiving.
... has, as we have said, a wife and children, whom at ... and also all that he had to be
sold; but afterwards ... he released him and forgave him all the debt; not, as if ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/13 no forgiveness to the.htm

The Servant who Owed a Hundred Pence.
... by the throat, but at first was ordered to be sold along with his wife and children
and all ... was released and forgiven in regard to the whole of the debt. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/11 the servant who owed.htm

The Way to Treat those who Wrong Us
... talents; but as he was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold, together
with his wife and children and all that he had, in payment of the debt. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the way to treat those.htm

Sirs, what must I do to be Saved? and they Said, Believe on the ...
... family receive favors on his account, because they are the children of a ... practice
of redeeming estates, or redeeming relatives that had been sold for debt. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/sirs what must i do.htm

Sin and Forgiveness Between Brethren.
... that the silver talent is meant ([USD]1,600), the debt was [USD ... not wherewith to
pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxiv sin and forgiveness between.htm

The Prodigal Son, and Other Stories.
... had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and
all ... was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter x the prodigal son.htm

The Wicked Servant
... and make away with the enormous sum of ten thousand talents; who commands, not only
him, but his wife and children to be sold to pay the debt; who then ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xviii the wicked servant.htm

Forgiven and Unforgiving
... children should be sold into slavery, and all that he had should be taken from him,
in order to go some little way towards the reduction of the enormous debt ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/forgiven and unforgiving.htm

The Merchantmen in the Temple
... bought therein, and He said to them that sold doves, Take ... dear children, those are
the merchants you see all around ... it is true, but of grace, and not as debt. ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xvi the merchantmen in.htm

This Day are Opened, Our Mouths to Give Thanks
... delivered ones on this day; old men and boys, young men and maidens, children and
innocents ... He had commanded that we should be sold for our debt: His mercy ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn ii this day are.htm