Deuteronomy 23:15 - You shall not deliver to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you.
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What does "Deuteronomy 23:15" mean?
Deuteronomy 23:15 (NRSV) states: "You shall not deliver to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you."
This verse instructs the Israelites to grant asylum to escaped slaves. Instead of returning the runaway slave to their owner, they were to provide refuge and freedom. This highlights a key difference from many other ancient societies, which legally permitted the recapture of escaped slaves.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"You shall not deliver to his master...": This is a direct prohibition. The Israelites were not permitted to hand over the escaped slave back to the original owner.
"...a slave who has escaped from his master to you.": This identifies the person in question as someone who has fled servitude and sought refuge among the Israelites. The crucial point is that they sought refuge.
What it implies and what we can infer:
Humanitarian Concern: This verse suggests a concern for the well-being of the enslaved, recognizing the harsh conditions they may have been trying to escape.
Challenging the Norm: While slavery was practiced in ancient Israel, this law suggests a potential challenge to the absolute authority of slave owners. It offered a potential avenue for freedom, albeit limited.
Sanctuary: It established a principle of sanctuary or asylum within Israelite society. Those seeking protection could find it among them.
Social Impact: This law likely had some practical impact. It potentially discouraged harsh treatment of slaves, as cruel owners might be more likely to have slaves run away.
Important Considerations:
Limited Scope: This verse doesn't abolish slavery entirely. It addresses a specific scenario: an escaped slave seeking refuge.
Potential for Abuse: The law's application could have been complex. For example, determining the legitimacy of the slave's claim of escape or preventing fraudulent claims would have been a challenge.
Economic Implications: Returning slaves was economically beneficial to the owner. This verse prioritizes a level of compassion above potential economic loss.
In summary, Deuteronomy 23:15 is a remarkable verse that mandated a humane treatment of escaped slaves by offering them asylum within Israelite society, a concept relatively unique in the ancient world. It demonstrated a concern for the oppressed and a willingness to challenge the absolute power of slave owners, albeit within a system where slavery was still practiced.
Deuteronomy 23:15 - You shall not deliver to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you.
What does "Deuteronomy 23:15" mean?
Deuteronomy 23:15 (NRSV) states: "You shall not deliver to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you."
This verse instructs the Israelites to grant asylum to escaped slaves. Instead of returning the runaway slave to their owner, they were to provide refuge and freedom. This highlights a key difference from many other ancient societies, which legally permitted the recapture of escaped slaves.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"You shall not deliver to his master...": This is a direct prohibition. The Israelites were not permitted to hand over the escaped slave back to the original owner.
"...a slave who has escaped from his master to you.": This identifies the person in question as someone who has fled servitude and sought refuge among the Israelites. The crucial point is that they sought refuge.
What it implies and what we can infer:
Humanitarian Concern: This verse suggests a concern for the well-being of the enslaved, recognizing the harsh conditions they may have been trying to escape.
Challenging the Norm: While slavery was practiced in ancient Israel, this law suggests a potential challenge to the absolute authority of slave owners. It offered a potential avenue for freedom, albeit limited.
Sanctuary: It established a principle of sanctuary or asylum within Israelite society. Those seeking protection could find it among them.
Social Impact: This law likely had some practical impact. It potentially discouraged harsh treatment of slaves, as cruel owners might be more likely to have slaves run away.
Important Considerations:
Limited Scope: This verse doesn't abolish slavery entirely. It addresses a specific scenario: an escaped slave seeking refuge.
Potential for Abuse: The law's application could have been complex. For example, determining the legitimacy of the slave's claim of escape or preventing fraudulent claims would have been a challenge.
Economic Implications: Returning slaves was economically beneficial to the owner. This verse prioritizes a level of compassion above potential economic loss.
In summary, Deuteronomy 23:15 is a remarkable verse that mandated a humane treatment of escaped slaves by offering them asylum within Israelite society, a concept relatively unique in the ancient world. It demonstrated a concern for the oppressed and a willingness to challenge the absolute power of slave owners, albeit within a system where slavery was still practiced.