Leviticus 25:39 - “‘If your brother has grown poor among you, and sells himself to you; you shall not make him to serve as a slave.
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What does "Leviticus 25:39" mean?
Leviticus 25:39 deals with a specific situation within ancient Israelite society: a fellow Israelite falling into poverty and selling himself into service to a wealthier Israelite. The verse dictates how the buyer should treat the seller in this situation, specifically prohibiting treating him as a slave.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"If your brother has grown poor among you..." This establishes the context: a fellow Israelite ("brother") has become impoverished within the community.
"...and sells himself to you..." This highlights the desperate measure someone might take to survive. The individual willingly enters into service to another in exchange for sustenance and basic needs. This wasn't necessarily seen as a permanent condition, but as a temporary solution to poverty.
"...you shall not make him to serve as a slave." This is the key point. While the person has entered into a servant relationship, they are not to be treated as a slave. The emphasis is on the dignity and inherent rights of the individual. The buyer is forbidden from forcing them into harsh labor, treating them cruelly, or denying them basic necessities.
Important Interpretations and Considerations:
Distinction from Slavery: The Hebrew term for "slave" here (usually translated as "slave" or "bondservant") carried connotations of forced servitude, often acquired through war or capture, and lacked the rights afforded to a fellow Israelite who had sold themselves into service.
Treatment as a Hired Worker: Later verses in Leviticus 25 (specifically verse 40) clarify that such an individual should be treated as a hired worker or a temporary resident. They would have the rights and privileges associated with those roles.
Redemption and Jubilee: Leviticus 25 continues with provisions for the eventual redemption (buying back) of the person and the overarching framework of the Jubilee year, where all debts were forgiven, and those who had sold themselves into service were released, ensuring their freedom and return to their ancestral land.
Ethical Implications: This verse reflects a societal value of protecting vulnerable members of the community. It emphasizes the responsibility of the wealthier to care for the poorer and to avoid exploiting their situation. It sets a standard of humane treatment even within a system of servitude.
In summary, Leviticus 25:39 prohibits the exploitation of a fellow Israelite who has fallen into poverty and sold himself into service. It mandates that the person be treated with dignity and not subjected to the conditions of a slave, but rather as a hired worker with specific protections. The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and social justice within the community.
Leviticus 25:39 - “‘If your brother has grown poor among you, and sells himself to you; you shall not make him to serve as a slave.
What does "Leviticus 25:39" mean?
Leviticus 25:39 deals with a specific situation within ancient Israelite society: a fellow Israelite falling into poverty and selling himself into service to a wealthier Israelite. The verse dictates how the buyer should treat the seller in this situation, specifically prohibiting treating him as a slave.
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"If your brother has grown poor among you..." This establishes the context: a fellow Israelite ("brother") has become impoverished within the community.
"...and sells himself to you..." This highlights the desperate measure someone might take to survive. The individual willingly enters into service to another in exchange for sustenance and basic needs. This wasn't necessarily seen as a permanent condition, but as a temporary solution to poverty.
"...you shall not make him to serve as a slave." This is the key point. While the person has entered into a servant relationship, they are not to be treated as a slave. The emphasis is on the dignity and inherent rights of the individual. The buyer is forbidden from forcing them into harsh labor, treating them cruelly, or denying them basic necessities.
Important Interpretations and Considerations:
Distinction from Slavery: The Hebrew term for "slave" here (usually translated as "slave" or "bondservant") carried connotations of forced servitude, often acquired through war or capture, and lacked the rights afforded to a fellow Israelite who had sold themselves into service.
Treatment as a Hired Worker: Later verses in Leviticus 25 (specifically verse 40) clarify that such an individual should be treated as a hired worker or a temporary resident. They would have the rights and privileges associated with those roles.
Redemption and Jubilee: Leviticus 25 continues with provisions for the eventual redemption (buying back) of the person and the overarching framework of the Jubilee year, where all debts were forgiven, and those who had sold themselves into service were released, ensuring their freedom and return to their ancestral land.
Ethical Implications: This verse reflects a societal value of protecting vulnerable members of the community. It emphasizes the responsibility of the wealthier to care for the poorer and to avoid exploiting their situation. It sets a standard of humane treatment even within a system of servitude.
In summary, Leviticus 25:39 prohibits the exploitation of a fellow Israelite who has fallen into poverty and sold himself into service. It mandates that the person be treated with dignity and not subjected to the conditions of a slave, but rather as a hired worker with specific protections. The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and social justice within the community.