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
but not having wherewithal to pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, and his wife and his children, and all things whatsoever he possessed, and payment to be made.
but not having wherewithal to pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, and his wife and his children, and all things whatsoever he possessed, and payment to be made.
Who then is the faithful and provident servant, whom his Lord hath appointed over his household, to give them meat in the proper time?
And in the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
And again he sent unto them another servant; and they cut the account short with him, by stoning him, and sent him away shamefully treated.
Blessed are those servants, whom the Master, when he cometh, shall find watchful: verily I say unto you, that he will gird up himself, and make them sit down at table, and come and wait upon them.
But which of you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, when he cometh from the field, will say immediately, Come, sit down at table?
But the slave abideth not in the family for ever: but the son abideth for ever.
Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute those who are of the family of Aristobulus. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute those which belong to the family of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.
Art thou called being a slave? let it give thee no concern; but if thou canst also obtain thy freedom, rather make use of it.
Art thou called being a slave? let it give thee no concern; but if thou canst also obtain thy freedom, rather make use of it. For he that is called in the Lord, being a slave, is the Lord's freed man: in like manner also, he that is called, being a free man, is the servant of Christ. read more. Have you been redeemed with a price? become not the slaves of men.
Now this I say, brethren, that the time is short. The conclusion is, that even they who have wives, should be as though they had not;
For by one Spirit we all have been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free men; and we have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
There is no more Jew or Gentile, there is no more slave or freeman, there is no more male or female: but ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
NOW I affirm, that as long as the heir is an infant, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be master of all;
Servants, be obedient to your masters after the flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul; read more. with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good a man doeth, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be a bondman, or whether he be free. And ye masters, do the same things to them, avoiding menacing language: knowing that you also yourselves have a master in heaven; and there is no respect of persons with him.
All the saints salute you, specially those who are of Caesar's household.
strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joy;
Where there is no difference whether a man be Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian or Scythian, slave or freeman: but Christ is all and in all.
Servants, obey in all things your masters after the flesh, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but, in simplicity of heart, fearing God.
MASTERS, afford to your servants that which is just, and an equivalent, knowing that ye also have a Master in the heavens.
LET as many slaves as are under the yoke account their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.
LET as many slaves as are under the yoke account their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.
Let servants be subject to their own masters, in all things to be agreeable to them; not contradicting; not embezzling their property, but demonstrating all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. read more. For the grace of God which leads to salvation hath appeared unto all men,
no longer as a slave, but above a slave, as a brother beloved, especially by me, but how much more by thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but even to the froward.