So basically the issue of slavery has been bothering me and I decided to post my progress. Since I am really busy I cannot do that much research a day, but perhaps people that are interested can help.(maybe a few links or thoughts) Basically I want to cover the types of slavery, how slaves were treated, and other factors related. Also please excuse my liberal use of the word slavery, it's quite obvious that most of what is in the bible is indentured servitude.
So far I have identified the following forms of "slavery" in the bible:
Voluntary servitude by the sons of Israel (indentured servants)
Deuteronomy 15.12
Voluntary permanent slaves
Exodus 21.2-6: 2
Thief or criminal making restitution
Exodus 22:1-3
Pagans could be permanent slaves
Leviticus 25:44-46
Prisoners of war were kept as slaves
Deuteronomy 20.16-
Woman can be sold into indentured servitude for marriage reasons or they can just be regular servants.
Exodus 21.7-11 7
Alien or temporaries that become rich can own slaves
Leviticus 25.47-47
slaves can own slaves…???
2 Samuel 19.17- 16
Women and children could be taken as slaves and married off
Deuteronomy 20:14, Deuteronomy 21:10
So I think that about covers it. I'm also working on showing some of the moral laws related to Israelite slavery. So far I'm making good progress two verses that I would like to highlight are
Job 31.13:
If I have rejected the cause of my male or female slaves[‘amah],
when they brought a complaint against me;
14 what then shall I do when God rises up?
When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?
15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them?
And did not one fashion us in the womb?
*this one seems to show that it is admirable to treat your slaves well. Job even admits their equal humanity, takes responsibility for them, and allows them to complain.
& Genesis 24.1-..."Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 Abraham said to his servant['ereb], the oldest of his house, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live
*the key point her is that servant/slave['ereb] is part of Abraham's house. So much in fact that the slave takes care of all his property. I also have a speculative theory that this servant is of foreign decent since Abraham tells him not to get a Canaanite wife and sends him out above all others. There is a good chance that his servant is foreign according to Genesis 17.27.(this verse also shows slaves can join the covenant)
Anyway, does anyone have some verses regarding slavery that are bothering them, curious about, want me to cover? I am actually making on monster of a paper on this issue. It will be posted on Google docs when it's ready and if anyone want to view it. Seriously though no question is too stupid here, let's talk it out.
So far I have identified the following forms of "slavery" in the bible:
Voluntary servitude by the sons of Israel (indentured servants)
Deuteronomy 15.12
Voluntary permanent slaves
Exodus 21.2-6: 2
Thief or criminal making restitution
Exodus 22:1-3
Pagans could be permanent slaves
Leviticus 25:44-46
Prisoners of war were kept as slaves
Deuteronomy 20.16-
Woman can be sold into indentured servitude for marriage reasons or they can just be regular servants.
Exodus 21.7-11 7
Alien or temporaries that become rich can own slaves
Leviticus 25.47-47
slaves can own slaves…???
2 Samuel 19.17- 16
Women and children could be taken as slaves and married off
Deuteronomy 20:14, Deuteronomy 21:10
So I think that about covers it. I'm also working on showing some of the moral laws related to Israelite slavery. So far I'm making good progress two verses that I would like to highlight are
Job 31.13:
If I have rejected the cause of my male or female slaves[‘amah],
when they brought a complaint against me;
14 what then shall I do when God rises up?
When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?
15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them?
And did not one fashion us in the womb?
*this one seems to show that it is admirable to treat your slaves well. Job even admits their equal humanity, takes responsibility for them, and allows them to complain.
& Genesis 24.1-..."Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 Abraham said to his servant['ereb], the oldest of his house, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh 3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live
*the key point her is that servant/slave['ereb] is part of Abraham's house. So much in fact that the slave takes care of all his property. I also have a speculative theory that this servant is of foreign decent since Abraham tells him not to get a Canaanite wife and sends him out above all others. There is a good chance that his servant is foreign according to Genesis 17.27.(this verse also shows slaves can join the covenant)
Anyway, does anyone have some verses regarding slavery that are bothering them, curious about, want me to cover? I am actually making on monster of a paper on this issue. It will be posted on Google docs when it's ready and if anyone want to view it. Seriously though no question is too stupid here, let's talk it out.