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 since he was unable to pay, his master ordered him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, toward the payment of the debt.
"And since he was unable to pay, his master ordered him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, toward the payment of the debt.
"Who, then, is the faithful and prudent slave, to whom his master has entrusted his household, to give them their food in due season?
At vintage-time he sent a slave to the vine-dressers to collect some of the proceeds of the vineyard;
Then he sent another slave to them; and this man they knocked over the head and handled shamefully.
"Happy are those slaves whom their master shall find watching when he comes. I tell you truly that will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and come and serve them.
"But who of you who has a slave plowing or keeping sheep, will say to him, when he is come in from the field, 'Come at once, sit down to dinner,'
"Now the slave does not remain permanently in the household, but the son does remain.
Salute Apellas, tested and tried in Christ, and the household of Aristobulus, and Herodion, my kinsman. Salute the believing members of the household of Narcissus.
Were you called in slavery? Let not that trouble you; but if you can become free make use of the opportunity.
Were you called in slavery? Let not that trouble you; but if you can become free make use of the opportunity. For the slave who has been called in the Lord is the Lord's freedman; and in the same way, the free man who is called is Christ's slave. read more. You have been brought with a price; do not become slaves to men.
Indeed, brothers, the time that remains to us has been shortened; so let those who have wives live as if they had none,
And we can see this, for in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jew or Gentile, whether slave or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
In him there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
What I mean is this. As long as the heir is a child, he differs in no respect from a slave, though he be the owner of the whole inheritance;
Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with reverence and humility, in singleness of heart as if to Christ himself; not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as the slaves of Christ, doing the will of God; read more. slaving with good-will from your heart, as for the Lord and not for men; because you know that whatever good any man does, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be slave or free man. And you masters, show the same spirit to your slaves, and stop threatening them; for you know that your masters and theirs is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons with him.
that you may be strengthened in every kind of strength by the might of his glory for every kind of patience and fortitude with good cheer.
In it that new creation there is no "Greek and Jew," "circumcised and uncircumcised," "barbarian," "Scythian," "slave," "free man," but Christ is all, and in us all.
Slaves, obey in all things your earthly masters, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of purpose, out of reverence for your Lord.
Masters, deal justly and fairly with your slaves, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Let those who are under the yoke as slaves esteem their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teachings be not blasphemed.
Let those who are under the yoke as slaves esteem their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teachings be not blasphemed.
Exhort slaves to be obedient to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in every respect; not to contradict nor pilfer, but to exhibit praiseworthy trustworthiness in every thing, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. read more. "For God's grace has shined forth bringing salvation to all men
no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, as a brother beloved; especially dear to me, but how much more to you, both as a man and a fellow Christian.
Household slaves, submit yourselves to your masters in all reverence; not only to the kind and gentle, but also to the unreasonable.