'Severity' in the Bible

You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God.

You may even bequeath them to your sons after you, to receive as a possession; you can use them as permanent slaves. But in respect to your countrymen, the sons of Israel, you shall not rule with severity over one another.

Like a hired servant, he is to remain with him year after year, but he is not to rule over him with what you see as severity.