Reference: Slave, Slavery
Hastings
The Heb. 'ebhedh, usually tr 'servant,' has a variety of meanings, between which it is not always easy to distinguish. E.g. in 2Sa 9:2 'servant' = retainer, in 2Sa 9:10 b = bondman, in 2Sa 9:11 = a polite expression of self-depreciation (cf. 2Ki 4:1 and 1Ki 9:22). In a discussion of Hebrew slavery only those passages will be dealt with in which the word probably has the sense of bondage.
1. Legally the slave was a chattel. In the earliest code (Book of the Covenant [= BC]) he is called his master's money (Ex 21:21). In the Decalogue he is grouped with the cattle (Ex 20:17), and so regularly in the patriarchal narratives (Ge 12:16 etc.). Even those laws which sought to protect the slave witness to his degraded position. In the BC the master is not punished for inflicting even a fatal flogging upon his slave, unless death follows immediately. If the slave lingers a day or two before dying, the master is given the benefit of the doubt as to the cause of his death, and the loss of the slave is regarded as a sufficient punishment (Ex 21:21). The jus talionis was not applicable to the slave as it was to the freeman (cf. Ex 21:26 ff. with Ex 21:22 ff.); and it is the master of the slave, not the slave himself, who is recompensed if the slave is gored by an ox (Ex 21:32). In these last two instances BC follows the Code of Hammurabi [= CH] (
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And as he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all he had, in payment of the debt.
And as he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all he had, in payment of the debt.
"Who then will be the faithful, thoughtful slave whom his master put in charge of his household, to give the members of it their supplies at the proper time?
At the proper time he sent a slave to the tenants to get from them a share of the vintage.
And again he sent another slave to them. And they beat him over the head and treated him shamefully.
Blessed are the slaves whom their master will find on the watch when he comes. I tell you, he will gird up his robe and make them take their places at table, and go around and wait on them.
"What man among you, if he has a servant ploughing or keeping sheep, will say to him when he comes in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down at the table,'
Now a slave does not belong to a household permanently; but a son does.
Remember me to that veteran Christian, Apelles. Remember me to those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Remember me to my fellow-countryman, Herodion. Remember me to the Christians in the household of Narcissus.
If you were a slave when you were called, never mind. Even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of your present condition instead.
If you were a slave when you were called, never mind. Even if you can gain your freedom, make the most of your present condition instead. For a slave who has been called to union with the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, just as a free man who has been called is a slave of Christ. read more. You have been bought and paid for; you must not let yourselves become slaves to men.
But this I do say, brothers. The appointed time has grown very short. From this time on those who have wives should live as though they had none,
For we have all??ews or Greeks, slaves or free men??een baptized in one spirit to form one body, and we have all been saturated with one Spirit.
There is no room for "Jew" and "Greek"; there is no room for "slave" and "freeman"; there is no room for "male" and "female"; for in union with Christ Jesus you are all one.
I mean this: As long as the heir is a minor, he is no better than a slave, although he is the owner of all the property,
You who are slaves, obey your earthly masters, in reverence and awe, with sincerity of heart, as you would the Christ, not with mere external service, as though you had only men to please, but like slaves of Christ, carrying out the will of God. read more. Do your duties heartily and willingly, as though it were for the Lord, not for men, for you know that everyone, slave or free, will be rewarded by the Lord for his good conduct. You who are masters, too, must treat your slaves in the same way, and cease to threaten them, for you know that their Master and yours is in heaven, and that he will show no partiality.
All God's people wish to be remembered to you, especially those who belong to the emperor's household.
Then, so mighty is his majesty, he will nerve you perfectly with strength for the cheerful exercise of endurance and forbearance in every situation,
Here, what matters is not "Greek" and "Jew," the circumcised and the uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeborn, but Christ is everything and in us all.
You who are slaves must always obey your earthly masters, not with mere external service, as though you had only men to please, but with sincerity of heart, because you fear the Lord.
You who are masters must treat your slaves justly and fairly, and remember that you have a Master too, in heaven.
All who are under the yoke of slavery must treat their masters with the greatest respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not be abused.
All who are under the yoke of slavery must treat their masters with the greatest respect, so that the name of God and our teaching may not be abused.
Tell slaves always to obey their masters and try to please them, not to oppose them or steal from them, but to show such perfect good faith as to do credit to the teaching about God our Savior, by everything they do. read more. For God's mercy has appeared and brought salvation to all men,
not as a slave any longer but more than a slave, a dear brother??ear especially to me, but how much dearer to you, both as a man and as a Christian!
You servants must be submissive to your masters and perfectly respectful to them; not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are unreasonable.