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] (
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but being insolvent, his lord gave orders that he, with his wife, and children, and all that he had, should be sold for payment.
but being insolvent, his lord gave orders that he, with his wife, and children, and all that he had, should be sold for payment.
If then there be a servant, appointed by his master to take care of his family, who faithfully and prudently distributes their allowance according to the establishment: happy is the servant,
at the time of vintage he sent his servant to the vine-dressers to receive the profits of his vineyard.
after this he sent another servant to them, him they assaulted with stones and cudgels, and sent him back with contempt.
happy those servants, whom the master at his arrival shall find thus watching: I assure you, he shall gird himself, and make them sit at table, and will come to serve them.
Who of you having a servant, that plows, or feeds your cattle, will immediately upon his coming from field, say to him, come and sit at table?
a slave has no right to be in the house for life: but the son is settled there.
and my dear Stachys. salute Apelles, an approved christian. salute the family of Aristobulus. salute Herodion my kinsman. salute the family of Narcissus, who have embraced the gospel.
were you called being a slave? be not perplex'd about it; but if you can obtain your freedom, don't refuse it.
were you called being a slave? be not perplex'd about it; but if you can obtain your freedom, don't refuse it. for the slave that turns christian, is the Lord's freedman: likewise, the freeman that becomes a convert is Christ's servant. read more. have you been redeemed from slavery? then, don't turn slaves.
This I say, brethren, because the time is coming, when they who have wives will be as those that have none;
for by one spirit we have all been baptized, to be form'd into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and have been all made to drink of one spirit.
there is now no distinction of Jew or Greek, of bond or free, of male or female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, is in a state of servitude, tho' he is to be lord of all;
Servants, be obedient to your legal masters, with awful reverence and sincerity of heart, as unto Christ: not doing your work meerly out of regard to their presence or their pleasure, but as the servants of Christ, in hearty obedience to the will of God: read more. serve them with affection, as if it was to the Lord, and not to men: considering that whatever good any man doth, he shall be rewarded for it by the Lord, whether he be a slave or free. and you masters have a just regard to them, by softning your authority: knowing that both their and your master is in heaven, where there is no respect of persons with him.
being fortified in so effectual a manner, as to sustain your trials with constancy and joy:
by which there is now neither Greek, or Jew; circumcised, or uncircumcised; Barbarian, or Scythian; slave, or freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
servants, be entirely obedient to those, whom the laws have made your masters, and not meerly out of regard to their observation, as designing only to please men, but from a principle of integrity, as fearing God:
as for you, masters, give to your servants what is just and suitable: considering that you also have a master in heaven.
Let those who are in a state of servitude, consider the entire respect due to their masters, that the name of God, and the doctrine of the gospel may not be blasphemed.
Let those who are in a state of servitude, consider the entire respect due to their masters, that the name of God, and the doctrine of the gospel may not be blasphemed.
Exhort servants to be obedient to their masters, to be entirely obsequious without grumbling. not to pilfer, but to show the strictest fidelity; that they may do honour to the doctrine of God our saviour in all things. read more. For the divine savour has display'd its salutary effects to all mankind:
not as a slave, but in another quality, as a dear brother whom I particularly value, but much more should you, both as he is your servant, and as he is a christian.
You that are servants, be subject to your masters with all reverence: not only to such as are kind and gentle,