In the biblical narrative, the concept of slavery and servitude is addressed in various contexts, including the purchase of slaves by Egyptians. The practice of slavery in ancient Egypt is depicted in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Israelites' enslavement and the broader socio-economic structures of the time.

Joseph's Administration and Economic Policies

One of the most notable accounts involving Egyptians and the acquisition of slaves is found in the account of Joseph, the son of Jacob, who rose to prominence in Egypt. During a severe famine, Joseph, having been appointed as the second-in-command by Pharaoh, implemented a series of economic measures to manage the crisis. As the famine persisted, the Egyptians exhausted their money and livestock in exchange for grain. Eventually, they offered themselves and their land to Pharaoh in return for food, effectively becoming his servants. This transaction is recorded in Genesis 47:19-21 : "Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Purchase us and our land in exchange for food, and we and our land will be servants to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate."

This passage illustrates the transition of free Egyptians into servitude due to economic desperation, highlighting the extent of Pharaoh's control over the population and resources during the famine. Joseph's policies resulted in a centralized system where the people and their land became Pharaoh's property, demonstrating the dynamics of power and survival in ancient Egypt.

Israelites in Egypt

The Israelites' experience in Egypt is another significant aspect of the biblical narrative concerning slavery. Initially, the Israelites settled in Egypt during Joseph's tenure, enjoying favor and prosperity. However, as time passed and a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph, the Israelites were subjected to harsh slavery. Exodus 1:13-14 describes their plight: "They worked the Israelites ruthlessly andGenesis 37:36
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
Nave's Topical Index

The Removal of Joseph's Father with all his Family, to Him, on ...
... 7. However, the famine increased among the Egyptians, and this ... when their money failed
them, they bought corn with their cattle and their slaves; and if ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 the removal of.htm

Against Embellishing the Body.
... luxury, decking the covering of flesh,"in truth, imitate the Egyptians, in order ...
whole day to their toilet, they spend their time with their bought slaves. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

Moses the Type of Christ.
... the Egyptians; they were slaves, hardly tasked, and wretched ... hurried on to reclaim
his runaway slaves; the Israelites ... atonement for our sins, and bought for us ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon ix moses the type.htm

Chapter l
... Kar??th?? means "digged" and not "bought." The request is ... The monuments indicate that
the Egyptians dearly loved ... abhadhim here cannot mean "slaves"; all chief ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter l.htm

Joseph --The Savior of his People.
... They took the wheat that they had bought in bags, and ... the sons of Jacob by themselves,
and the Egyptians of his ... found, and the rest of us will be your slaves.". ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter viii josephthe savior of.htm

The Debt of Israel
... are masters and we continue to be slaves," Rachel answered ... But Egypt opened her coffers
and bought as though ... through his steward, to the Egyptians, and wrested ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter x the debt of.htm

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... pleaded my cause; amid bitter words of the Egyptians, and He ... the land of the Hebrews,
and sellest them for slaves? ... And I said, They bought me out of the land ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

Chapter xlvii
... The added statement, "the Egyptians sold every man his ... helplessly: "he enslaved them
into being slaves" could hardly be ... the land of the priests was not bought. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvii.htm

The Story of Benjamin.
... Joseph was bought from the merchants by an officer who ... terrible stories of how these
fierce Egyptians never allowed ... make all the rest of them the slaves of his ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the story of benjamin.htm

Acts vii. 6, 7
... they did not treat them as masters use slaves, but as ... and laid in the sepulchre that
Abraham bought for a ... learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi acts vii 6.htm

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