In the context of the Bible, the term "slave-dealers" refers to individuals or entities involved in the buying, selling, and trading of human beings as property. The practice of slavery is addressed in various parts of the Bible, with different contexts and implications in the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, slavery was a recognized institution within ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel. The Mosaic Law provided regulations concerning the treatment of slaves, emphasizing humane treatment and certain rights. For instance, Hebrew slaves were to be released in the seventh year of service (Exodus 21:2), and there were strict prohibitions against kidnapping and selling individuals into slavery. Exodus 21:16 states, "Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession."

The Old Testament also records instances where slave-dealers are implicitly mentioned, such as in the narratives of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers to Midianite traders (Genesis 37:28). These traders acted as intermediaries in the slave trade, transporting Joseph to Egypt.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of slavery is acknowledged as a part of the Roman world. The apostle Paul addresses the issue in his epistles, urging Christian masters to treat their slaves with fairness and kindness, recognizing their shared humanity and faith (Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1). While the New Testament does not explicitly condemn the institution of slavery, it lays the groundwork for the eventual abolition of the practice by emphasizing the equality of all believers in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

The book of Revelation provides a stark condemnation of the economic systems that perpetuate slavery. In Revelation 18:11-13 , the fall of Babylon is lamented by merchants who traded in "gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet cloth; all kinds of citron wood and articles of every kind made of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots, and slaves—that is, human souls." This passage highlights the moral corruption associated with the trade of human lives.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible's treatment of slavery and slave-dealers must be understood within its historical and cultural context. While the Bible does not explicitly call for the abolition of slavery, it provides principles that undermine the institution's moral foundation. The emphasis on the inherent dignity of every person, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and the call to love one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39) challenge the dehumanizing nature of slavery.

Throughout history, these biblical principles have inspired movements for the abolition of slavery and the fight against human trafficking. The Christian understanding of redemption and freedom in Christ serves as a powerful counter-narrative to the commodification of human beings, calling believers to advocate for justice and the dignity of all people.

Psalm CXXVIII.
... For we see many barren ones entering those walls; we see that many intemperate,
usurious persons, slave dealers, enter these walls, and such as resort to ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxviii.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... in that black catalogue of sins enumerated in his first epistle to Timothy, he mentions
"menstealers," which word may be translated "slavedealers." But you may ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Joseph, the Prime Minister
... The fierce brothers, the unconcerned slave-dealers, Potiphar, his wife, the prisoners,
Pharaoh, are so many links in a chain; but they are also men, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/joseph the prime minister.htm

Against Men who Embellish Themselves.
... out not hairs, but lusts. I pity the boys possessed by the slave-dealers,
that are decked for dishonour. But they are not treated ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iii against men who embellish.htm

Another Archbishop
... I am avenged on the cruelty and baseness of the world. My own parents betrayed my
helpless infancy; they received my price from the slave-dealers of Armenia. ...
/.../chapter xiv another archbishop.htm

1 Cor. xv. 29
... What mean the swarms of servants? For as the sellers of sheep and the slave-dealers,
so do our rich men take their round, in the baths and in the forum. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xl 1 cor xv.htm

Hindrances to Revivals.
... So, doubtless, many slave dealers and slave holders in our own country have been
converted, notwithstanding their participation in this abomination, because ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xv hindrances to revivals.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews. <. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

Fourth Tractate. Problems of the Soul (2).
... It is not to be thought that such beings engage themselves in human affairs in the
sense of making men thieves, slave-dealers, burglars, temple-strippers, or ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/fourth tractate problems of the.htm

Slave-dealers (1 Occurrence)
Slave-dealers. Slave, Slave-dealers. Slave-girl . Multi-Version
Concordance Slave-dealers (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy ...
/s/slave-dealers.htm - 6k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... The battle of Emmaus is not mentioned, but "the thrice-accursed Nicanor," having
in overweening pride invited a thousand slavedealers to accompany him to buy ...
/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Opposed (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 fornicators, sodomites, slave-dealers, liars and false witnesses;
and for whatever else is opposed to wholesome teaching (WEY DBY). ...
/o/opposed.htm - 13k

Wholesome (10 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Timothy 1:10 fornicators, sodomites, slave-dealers, liars and false witnesses;
and for whatever else is opposed to wholesome teaching (WEY). ...
/w/wholesome.htm - 10k

Fornicators (8 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Timothy 1:10 fornicators, sodomites, slave-dealers, liars and false witnesses;
and for whatever else is opposed to wholesome teaching (WEY ASV DBY). ...
/f/fornicators.htm - 9k

Slave-girl (6 Occurrences)
Slave-girl. Slave-dealers, Slave-girl. Slave-girl's . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Slave-dealers, Slave-girl. Slave-girl's . Reference Bible.
/s/slave-girl.htm - 8k

Sodomites (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 fornicators, sodomites, slave-dealers, liars and false witnesses;
and for whatever else is opposed to wholesome teaching (WEY DBY YLT RSV). ...
/s/sodomites.htm - 8k

Witnesses (69 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 fornicators, sodomites, slave-dealers, liars and false witnesses;
and for whatever else is opposed to wholesome teaching (WEY). ...
/w/witnesses.htm - 27k

Slave (148 Occurrences)

/s/slave.htm - 54k

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