Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Leviticus 25:44 'As for your male and female slaves whom you may have--you may acquire male and female slaves from the pagan nations that are around you. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Leviticus 25:44 'As for your male and female slaves whom you may have--you may acquire male and female slaves from the pagan nations that are around you. |
Bible Question: Does God approve of slavery? |
Bible Answer: On the issue of slavery we have to remember there is three forms. Chattel - where the slave is no longer viewed a ss person but rather as a piece of property. Bonded or Bond servant - where a person places himself into a form of slavery to repay a debt. Forced Slavery - Usually as punishment force or captured during a battle or war. God never condoned Chattel Slavery which was what most people think of when they talk of slavery. God always saw the humanity of the slave. Nor did God ever condone the physical abuse that comes to mind when we think of slavery. Bonded slavery was most common spoken of in the Scripture and was used to pay off debts and such. Bond servants had to be released from their service every 7 years the Sabbath year. So if a man was going to accept a bond servant he valued him by how many years of service he would get from him before the Sabbath year when all bond servants had to be released from their pledge. In other words a person entering bond service on year 1 was more valuable than a person on year 6. Many people today see corporate employment as a form of bonded slavery. We agree to work for a certain salary for x number of years and then expect to be set free with a retirement package. Very little difference. The people that oversaw prisoners of war and people enslaved by war were commanded by God to treat them decently and with compassion. Yes it was forced labor but it wasn't the kind to work you to death. Often whenever the particular project or restoration of war damage was completed the slaves were released. It was often used to prevent towns and villages from be wiped out because of the war damage. The captured prisioners were required to help stablize the town back to the way it was before the war. Were there abuses and mistreatments? Yes Sin had entered the world and man often in rebellion to God violated the stipulations God has placed on Slavery. |