In the biblical context, the term "servants" often refers to individuals who were in a position of servitude, including slaves and bondservants. The institution of servitude in ancient Israel was regulated by various laws that sought to ensure humane treatment and provide certain rights to those in servitude. One of the key aspects of these regulations was the provision for rest on the Sabbath.

The Sabbath, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, is a day of rest and worship commanded by God. It is rooted in the creation narrative, where God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3), and is codified in the Ten Commandments. The commandment to observe the Sabbath is found in Exodus 20:8-11, which states: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns" .

This commandment explicitly includes male and female servants, ensuring that they, too, are granted rest on the Sabbath. The inclusion of servants in the Sabbath rest underscores the principle of equality before God and the recognition of their humanity and dignity. It reflects God's concern for the well-being of all individuals, regardless of their social status.

Deuteronomy 5:12-15 reiterates the Sabbath commandment and provides additional context: "Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest as you do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day" .

This passage not only reiterates the command for servants to rest but also connects the observance of the Sabbath with Israel's own experience of slavery in Egypt. It serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the freedom He granted them, which is to be reflected in their treatment of others, including their servants.

The provision for Sabbath rest for servants is part of a broader biblical ethic that emphasizes justice, mercy, and compassion. It reflects the character of God, who is just and merciful, and calls His people to embody these attributes in their relationships with others. The Sabbath rest for servants is a tangible expression of the biblical principle that all people are created in the image of God and deserve dignity and respect.Exodus 20:10
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... Lord at Jerusalem with a gift; here the bond and the ... claims, (if they ever had any,)
to their female slaves. ... now to examine the case of those servants who were ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Liberty of Conscience Threatened
... fine for freemen and stripes in the case of servants. ... that if still obstinate they
should be made slaves. ... and great, rich and poor, free and bond," to receive ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 35 liberty of conscience.htm

Aims of the Papacy.
... fine for freemen, and stripes in the case of servants. ... that if still obstinate they
should be made slaves. ... and great, rich and poor, free and bond," to receive ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm

Christ and his Table-Companions "And when the Hour was Come, He ...
... to be the greatest of men, and remain slaves to your ... covenant; having eaten together,
they were under bond to be ... of you as are really the servants and friends ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/christ and his table-companions and.htm

God's Barriers against Man's Sin
... he gives them charge; they are all his servants, who with ... how the stormy wind and
tempest like slaves obey his ... thee, O saint, is not this a bond strong enough ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/gods barriers against mans sin.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... Though he spares not his servants, whether righteous or sinful ... typified by the kings
which were not allowed to defile ... no one is the bridegroom of all the rest. ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... should take dust and ashes into so near a bond of love ... 12); and men are said to be
the servants of sin ... They are worse slaves and vassals who are under the power ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Index of Subjects.
... 134]ib.; simony of preferment-seeking, [135]24 sq.; bond of unity ... Servants, Christian
care for, [885]277 ... Slaves, set at liberty in the Primitive Church, [900]73 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

The General Conference of 1840
... South Carolina Conference: Charles Betts, Bond English, Hugh AC ... the number of believing
masters' and servants may be ... is allowed, and there are slaves; but the ...
/.../chapter 15 the general conference.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... And that this should be allowed not only in the city, but ... his god, 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

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