The Bible and Slavery

Slavery is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, reflecting its prevalence in ancient societies. From patriarchs owning slaves to laws regulating servitude, the biblical texts offer a nuanced and often debated of slavery. But understanding these references requires careful attention to historical context, linguistic interpretation, and theological nuance. 

Old Testament

The Old Testament acknowledges slavery as a social institution, particularly in Leviticus 25:44–46, which permits Israelites to own slaves from surrounding nations and even pass them down as property. However, this wasn’t a blanket endorsement. Hebrew slaves had protections: they could be freed after six years (Exodus 21:2), were shielded from abuse (Exodus 21:26–27), and kidnapping for slavery was a capital offense (Exodus 21:16). Debt-based servitude was common among Israelites, often voluntary and temporary (Leviticus 25:39–43). Manumission laws, such as the Jubilee year (Leviticus 25:10), emphasized restoration and freedom. Yet, foreign slaves had fewer rights, and female slaves could be taken as concubines (Exodus 21:7–11), highlighting the patriarchal and hierarchical nature of ancient society. 

What does the word “slave” really mean? Kyle Davison Bair argues that the term “slave” in biblical Hebrew doesn’t always carry the modern connotation of involuntary servitude. It could also mean “servant,” “minister,” or “official.” This linguistic fluidity suggests that not all biblical references to slavery imply ownership or dehumanization. Context matters deeply when interpreting these texts. 

Piece of The New Testament

The New Testament continues
the conversation but shifts the tone. Ephesians 6:5 instructs bondservants to obey their masters “as you would Christ,” while Colossians 4:1 commands masters to treat slaves justly. Paul’s letter to Philemon is particularly striking—he appeals for the runaway slave Onesimus to be received “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother” (Philemon 1:16). Galatians 3:28 proclaims spiritual equality: “There is neither slave nor free… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Paul also condemns slave trading in 1 Timothy 1:10, listing “manstealers” among the lawless. 

Slavery in biblical times was not racially based and did not resemble the slavery of African Americans in the New World. It was often economic, tied to debt, war, or poverty. The Bible’s regulations were not moral endorsements but societal frameworks within entrenched systems. As Britannica notes, slavery was a typical feature of civilization, predating written records and appearing in most societies throughout history. The Bible reflects this reality, offering both regulation and, at times, resistance—such as Deuteronomy 23:15, which forbids returning escaped slaves to their masters. 

In conclusion, the Bible’s treatment of slavery is complex and layered. It neither fully endorses nor outright abolishes the institution but offers glimpses of justice, protection, and spiritual equality. Understanding these texts requires historical literacy, theological sensitivity, and a commitment to context over assumption.

AI disclosure: After using Britannica and openbible to research topics about slavery in the bible I then used Microsoft Copilot to condense the notes Gianna, Benjamin, and I took during class. We used Copilot to both condense and summarize the notes we wrote as a group into a blog post instead of notes. We then edited the prompt that it gave us both by removing things that didn't make sense or fit the theme and also by adding more text and images to better show our understanding.