I’m no Bible thumper but my understanding is OT slavery is nothing like what we would picture in modern times and was more like a contract or agreement of a period of servitude. They were not paid but sheltered and fed. That is why there is so much talk in the OT about treating your slaves well, it was basically the old timey dont be a shitty employer.
If anyone has actual understanding of this beyond jack of all trades osmosis of information like myself, I would love to hear it and welcome replies!
No, that’s just for Jewish slaves. There are several verses in exodus and Leviticus about how you may buy slaves from the neighbouring nations, as inheritable property, and may beat them almost to death, as long as you don’t actually kill them.
Pick your preferred version of the Bible translation and canon but they all include something like the NIV Exodus 20:20-21: “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, 21 but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property."
Sounds exactly like modern slavery, and NT doesn’t change position either, it doubles down with slaves obey your masters and a supposed prophet who was sent to fulfill and uphold the OT not undermine it. As recently as US slave owners used the Bible to try to justify their position was permitted under Christianity.
The text itself says things like how you own their children, how to trick them to stay longer, how to brand them so they know that they are property. That’s just the males. Pretty detailed guides how to take and sex slaves.
They did have a form of indentured slavery but that was one of a few types.
I’m no Bible thumper but my understanding is OT slavery is nothing like what we would picture in modern times and was more like a contract or agreement of a period of servitude. They were not paid but sheltered and fed. That is why there is so much talk in the OT about treating your slaves well, it was basically the old timey dont be a shitty employer.
If anyone has actual understanding of this beyond jack of all trades osmosis of information like myself, I would love to hear it and welcome replies!
No, that’s just for Jewish slaves. There are several verses in exodus and Leviticus about how you may buy slaves from the neighbouring nations, as inheritable property, and may beat them almost to death, as long as you don’t actually kill them.
Pick your preferred version of the Bible translation and canon but they all include something like the NIV Exodus 20:20-21: “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, 21 but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property."
Sounds exactly like modern slavery, and NT doesn’t change position either, it doubles down with slaves obey your masters and a supposed prophet who was sent to fulfill and uphold the OT not undermine it. As recently as US slave owners used the Bible to try to justify their position was permitted under Christianity.
The text itself says things like how you own their children, how to trick them to stay longer, how to brand them so they know that they are property. That’s just the males. Pretty detailed guides how to take and sex slaves.
They did have a form of indentured slavery but that was one of a few types.