Topical Bible: Servants: Slaves or Bond: Laws Respecting Marriage With Female

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In the biblical context, the institution of servitude, including slavery and bonded servitude, is addressed with specific laws and guidelines, particularly concerning marriage with female servants. These laws are primarily found in the Old Testament and reflect the cultural and societal norms of ancient Israel.

Exodus 21:7-11 provides a foundational text regarding the treatment and rights of female servants, particularly in the context of marriage. According to the passage, if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to be released as male servants are. If she does not please her master, who has selected her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He does not have the right to sell her to foreigners, as this would be a breach of faith. If the master designates her for his son, he must treat her as a daughter. If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first of her food, clothing, or marital rights. If he fails to provide these three things, she is to be set free without payment.

This passage underscores the importance of protecting the rights and dignity of female servants within the household. The laws ensure that female servants who are taken as wives or concubines are not treated merely as property but are afforded certain protections and rights. The master or his son is obligated to provide for her needs and cannot neglect her in favor of another wife.

Deuteronomy 21:10-14 further elaborates on the treatment of female captives taken in war, who may become wives. If an Israelite man desires to marry a captive woman, he must first bring her into his home, where she is to shave her head, trim her nails, and discard her captive's clothing. She is to mourn her parents for a full month. Afterward, the man may marry her. However, if he is not pleased with her, he must let her go free and cannot sell her or treat her as a slave, as he has dishonored her.

These laws reflect a concern for the humane treatment of women who find themselves in servitude due to war or economic circumstances. The process of mourning and the prohibition against selling her as a slave after marriage indicate a recognition of her personhood and dignity.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the relationship between masters and servants, urging masters to treat their servants justly and fairly, knowing that they too have a Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1). While the New Testament does not provide specific laws regarding marriage with female servants, the principles of love, justice, and equality in Christ (Galatians 3:28) inform the Christian understanding of all human relationships, including those involving servants.

The biblical laws concerning marriage with female servants highlight the balance between the cultural practices of the time and the ethical demands of justice and compassion. These laws served to protect vulnerable women and ensure that they were treated with dignity and respect within the household.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 21:7-11
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Government of India.
... Emperors, as they had originally been slaves in the ... Our Government pays its servants
of every description, high ... own Provinces there is no such bond as unites ...
/.../chapter xxxi the government of.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... had with authority laid down the law respecting husbands and ... short periods of release
from the marriage bond, and give ... of his wife, and like bad servants to be ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... This was not due to disregard of the laws against Christians nor ... since some he called
his chamber-servants, others slaves, and others servants in various ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... as that creed was abolished the bond that held ... their carriages, ran humbly before
their slaves sitting in ... order of rank between masters and servants was changed ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

The Evangelical Revival.
... the first to own as God's faithful servants"with William ... His grace, but simply tracing
out the laws by which ... It is impossible to help respecting a lady whose ...
/.../chapter ix the evangelical revival.htm

part ii
... Do not attach yourself with your heart to any girlish or female beauty, but to ... wait
in vain for them to finish, then should not we, God's servants, labour for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm