Topical Bible: Servant: Bond: Laws of Moses Concerning

◄ Servant: Bond: Laws of Moses Concerning ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Mosaic Law, as detailed in the Pentateuch, provides comprehensive guidelines regarding the treatment and rights of bondservants, reflecting the socio-economic realities of ancient Israel. These laws are primarily found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, and they underscore principles of justice, mercy, and the inherent dignity of every individual, even those in servitude.

Hebrew Servants

The laws concerning Hebrew servants are particularly detailed, emphasizing the temporary nature of their servitude. According to Exodus 21:2-6, a Hebrew servant was to serve for six years, and in the seventh year, he was to be released without payment. This sabbatical release underscores the principle of freedom and rest inherent in the Mosaic Law: "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall go free, without paying anything" (Exodus 21:2).

If a servant entered into service unmarried and was given a wife by his master, the wife and children would remain with the master upon the servant's release unless the servant chose to remain with his family. In such a case, the servant would undergo a ritual at the doorpost, signifying a lifelong commitment to his master (Exodus 21:5-6).

Foreign Servants

The treatment of foreign bondservants is addressed with a different set of regulations. Leviticus 25:44-46 allows for the acquisition of foreign slaves, who could be treated as property and inherited by the owner's descendants. However, the Israelites were reminded of their own deliverance from slavery in Egypt, which served as a moral compass in their treatment of all servants.

Protection and Rights

The Mosaic Law also provided protections for servants, ensuring their humane treatment. Exodus 21:20-21 stipulates that if a master struck a servant and the servant died as a result, the master was to be punished. This law served as a deterrent against abuse and underscored the value of human life.

Furthermore, if a servant was permanently injured by his master, such as losing an eye or a tooth, the servant was to be granted freedom as compensation for the injury (Exodus 21:26-27). This provision highlights the principle of justice and the protection of the vulnerable within the community.

Jubilee Year

The Year of Jubilee, occurring every fifty years, provided an additional layer of liberation for servants. Leviticus 25:10 declares, "You shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan" . This year of release ensured that no Israelite would remain in perpetual servitude, reinforcing the themes of redemption and restoration.

Voluntary Servitude

In some cases, individuals might voluntarily enter servitude due to economic hardship. Deuteronomy 15:12-18 reiterates the laws of release in the seventh year and encourages generosity upon the servant's departure. The master is instructed to provide liberally from his flock, threshing floor, and winepress, acknowledging the servant's contribution and ensuring his well-being as he reenters society.

Conclusion

The laws concerning bondservants in the Mosaic Law reflect a balance between the economic realities of the time and the ethical imperatives of justice, mercy, and human dignity. These regulations served to protect the rights of servants, prevent abuse, and ultimately point towards a society where freedom and equality were valued.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 21:1-11,20,21,26,27,32
Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 19:20-22
And whoever lies carnally with a woman, that is a female slave, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 25:6,10,35-55
And the sabbath of the land shall be meat for you; for you, and for your servant, and for your maid, and for your hired servant, and for your stranger that sojournes with you.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 15:12,14,18
And if your brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold to you, and serve you six years; then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man be found stealing any of his brothers of the children of Israel, and makes merchandise of him, or sells him; then that thief shall die; and you shall put evil away from among you.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Certain Prayers and Laws.
... IV."Certain Prayers and Laws. ... the faithful hath a concubine, if she be a bond-servant,
let him ... hand: do Thou now also look upon this Thy servant, whom Thou ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv certain prayers and laws.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Baptism
... it follows that, as vows are multiplied, so laws and works ... happens that the common
work of a servant or a ... error again, in decreeing that the bond of marriage ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of baptism.htm

In Rome
... of the gospel upon the relation between master and servant. ... greatly outnumbered the
free population, laws of terrible ... Christianity makes a strong bond of union ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 43 in rome.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... at Jerusalem with a gift; here the bond and the ... but so far otherwise, that every
servant was placed ... to speak the truth, to break the unrighteous laws of their ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles.
... from things strangled, and from fornication; which laws were given ... the remission
of sins, but the bond of impiety ... to wife either a courtesan, or a servant, or a ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii the heresies attacked by.htm

On the Formation of the Character of Believers, and on Giving of ...
... him to a resurrection, and loosedst the bond of death ... completion of the world, the
inquiry after laws, and the ... exalting the throne of David, Thy servant, in the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the formation of.htm

Matt. xvi. 28
... to others, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast ... names; "For," saith
he, "vice is a bond," and "a ... For tell me not of the laws that are without ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvi matt xvi 28.htm

Knowledge. Worship. Gratitude.
... What are laws of Nature but the ordinary ways in which God ... what joy does David cry,
"I am thy servant, and the ... other than right, yet is he under no bond to his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/knowledge worship gratitude.htm

Another Instance of Marcion's Tampering with St. Paul's Text the ...
... discuss the question why the Creator abolished His own laws. ... woman; whereas from
the son of the bond maid came ... is crucified unto me," who am a servant of the ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter iv another instance of marcions.htm

Second Sunday Before Lent
... pounded into them, as if they were bond-slaves, while ... They who refuse to give the
servant of the ... for him; with various artifices, bulls, laws and indulgences ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday before lent.htm