Slave

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 9
Listen from:
(Sclavonian). Slavery came about under Hebrew institutions. (1) By poverty, when a man sold himself to cancel debt (Lev. 25:39); (2) by theft, when restitution could not be made (Ex. 22:3); (3) by parents selling their daughters as concubines (Ex. 21:7-11). It ended (1) when the debt was paid; (2) on the year of Jubilee (Lev. 25:40); (3) at the end of six years of service (Ex. 21:2; Deut. 15:12). This as to Hebrews. As to non-Hebrew slaves, by far the most numerous class, they were purchased (Lev. 25:45); or captured in war (Num. 31:26,40). They were freed if ill treated (Ex. 21:26-27); to slay one was murder (Lev. 24:17,22); they were circumcised and had religious privileges (Gen. 17:12-13).