Topical Bible: Servants: Hired: Hebrew Slaves Serving Their Brethren to be Treated As

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In the biblical context, the treatment of Hebrew slaves, particularly those serving their fellow Israelites, is a subject addressed with specific guidelines and ethical considerations. The Mosaic Law provided a framework for the humane and respectful treatment of Hebrew slaves, emphasizing their dignity and the temporary nature of their servitude.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural reference concerning the treatment of Hebrew slaves is found in the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus 25:39-43 states: "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. Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves. You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God."

This passage underscores several key principles:

1. Temporary Servitude: The servitude of a Hebrew slave was not to be permanent. It was intended as a temporary measure to alleviate poverty or debt, with a definitive endpoint at the Year of Jubilee, when all Hebrew slaves were to be released.

2. Humane Treatment: Hebrew slaves were to be treated as hired workers or temporary residents, not as property. This distinction highlights the importance of recognizing their inherent dignity and worth as individuals.

3. Fear of God: The command to "fear your God" serves as a reminder that the treatment of slaves is ultimately accountable to divine authority. The Israelites were to remember their own deliverance from slavery in Egypt and extend compassion and justice to their brethren.

4. Family and Heritage: The provision for the return of the slave and his children to their family and ancestral property emphasizes the preservation of family units and the restoration of social and economic stability.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The treatment of Hebrew slaves reflects broader theological themes within the Old Testament, such as the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and the call to live in a manner that reflects God's justice and mercy. The Israelites' own history of bondage and liberation serves as a backdrop for these laws, reminding them of their identity as a people redeemed by God.

Furthermore, these regulations highlight the value placed on community and kinship within Israelite society. The laws ensured that economic hardship did not permanently sever familial ties or strip individuals of their heritage and identity.

Practical Application

In practice, these laws called for a compassionate and equitable approach to servitude, setting a standard that contrasted with the often harsh and dehumanizing practices of surrounding cultures. The emphasis on temporary servitude and humane treatment served as a safeguard against exploitation and abuse.

The biblical instructions regarding Hebrew slaves serving their brethren provide a model for understanding the balance between justice, mercy, and social responsibility. They remind believers of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect, recognizing the image of God in every person, and upholding the principles of justice and compassion in all human relationships.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 25:39,40
And if your brother that dwells by you be waxen poor, and be sold to you; you shall not compel him to serve as a bondservant:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... elephants' tusks, and five young slaves, all under the ... lesson to the province by
their treatment of ... combatants, besides the rabble of servants, hucksters, and ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... of the Saksea, during which the slaves were masters ... these pieces with a common stamp,
serving, like the ... artisans, to testify at once to their genuineness and ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... arrived at some place than the servants scoured the ... he required masons for his buildings,
slaves and cattle ... Serdani or Shardana are mentioned as serving in the ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm