Slave

Jer. 2:14 (A.V.), but not there found in the original. In Rev. 18:13 the word “slaves” is the rendering of a Greek word meaning “bodies.” The Hebrew and Greek words for slave are usually rendered simply “servant,” “bondman,” or “bondservant.” Slavery as it existed under the Mosaic law has no modern parallel. That law did not originate but only regulated the already existing custom of slavery (Ex. 21:20, 21, 26, 27; Lev. 25:44-46; Josh. 9:6-27). The gospel in its spirit and genius is hostile to slavery in every form, which under its influence is gradually disappearing from among men.

The institution of slavery was recognized, though not established, by the Mosaic law with a view to mitigate its hardship and to secure to every man his ordinary rights. I. Hebrew slaves.—

SLAVE, SLAVERY. Slavery is contrary to the constitution and destination of man and to the spirit of the Bible, which begins and ends with freedom, and represents man as made in the image of God, and places him, as lord, at the head of the whole creation. God gave Adam an equal and only partner in Eve. Slavery, like polygamy and war, was the consequence of sin, and spread with sin among all ancient nations. The Bible tolerates, regulates, moderates, and restrains this abnormal institution, but provides also for its ultimate extinction. "The manner in which Christ and the apostles dealt with an institution so universally prevalent in its worst forms, and so intimately interwoven with the whole public and private life in the Roman empire, is a strong proof of their divine wisdom. Christianity accomplished what no other religion has even attempted before or since. Without interfering with slavery as a political and economical question, without encouraging any revolution or agitation, without denouncing the character or denying the rights of the slave-holder or creating discontent among the slaves, without disturbing the peace of a single family, without any appeal to the passions and prejudices of men on the evils and abuses of slavery, without requiring, or even suggesting, immediate emancipation, in one word, without changing the outward and legal relation between the two parties, but solemnly enforcing the rights and duties arising from it to both, - Christ and the apostles, nevertheless, from within, by purely spiritual and peaceful means, by teaching the common origin and common redemption, the true dignity, equality, and destiny of men, by inculcating the principles of universal justice and love, and by raising the most degraded and unfortunate classes of society to virtue and purity, and to spiritual freedom in Christ, produced a radical moral reformation of the system, and prepared the only effectual way for its gradual, legitimate, and harmless extinction." - Schaff: Slavery and the Bible (1861). A. Hebrew Slavery. - There were only two conditions known among the Jews - independence and servitude. Whenever a man was too poor or otherwise unable to be independent, he became a slave. Slaves, among the Hebrews, were of two general classes: 1. Hebrews; 2. Non-Hebrews. could last longer than six years. In case, however, the slave did not wish to go at the expiration of the time, either because he loved his master or his wife - presumably a foreigner - and children, who must be left behind, as they were the master's property, the master announced this fact to the judges, and then bored his ear through with an awl. Ex 21:6; Deut 15:17. That this was done speaks volumes for the mildness of Hebrew slavery. Indeed, the Law made the condition of a slave very tolerable. The owner was expressly forbidden to "rule over him with rigor." Lev 25:43. Nor was he suffered to go away empty, but must be furnished liberally out of the flock, out of the floor, and out of the wine-press. Deut 15:14. A slave might even marry a daughter of his master. 1 Chr 2:35. In the ease of a female Hebrew slave, there was not the release at the end of six years; but if marriage with the owner or his son did not take place, she was not to be sold to a foreigner, but "he shall cause her to be redeemed" - i.e., he should return her to her father or find her another Hebrew master, or else free her absolutely. Ex 21:7-11. When Hebrews became the slaves of non-Hebrews, they might be redeemed or redeem themselves, or else go free at the year of jubilee. Jewish Hebrew slavery terminated at the Captivity. Slavery at best is bondage, and hence we find the service of these slaves was menial. They ploughed the fields, did the housework, ground the corn, took off and put on their master's sanda1s, washed his feet, and performed all the services expected of those in their condition. But slaves, by their industry and ability, could raise themselves to positions of trust, becoming stewards, as was Eliezer, Gen 15:2, or independent freemen, as was Ziba. 2 Sam 9:2, 2 Sam 9:10. B. Roman Slavery. - The Gospel of Jesus Christ, declaring freedom from the slavery of sin, was preached unto them who were literally bound. The early Christian Church was largely composed of slaves, and around them were thrown none of the protections which rendered a Hebrew slave so safe. On the contrary, the Roman master regarded his slaves as his absolute property. He might treat them kindly - and doubtless many did - but no law compelled him to do so. The Roman proverb, "So many slaves, so many foes," tells a pitiful story of wrong. This was the sort of slavery mentioned incidentally in the N.T. It is remarkable that nothing is said about its abolishment. On the contrary, the slaves were enjoined to be obedient to their masters, and to prove their Christian character by their patience under suffering. The Bible has furnished the defenders of slavery with proof-texts, but yet the study of the Bible has led to the abolishment of the system. The Mosaic legislation on the subject induced such mildness that the very idea could not be tolerated, and so, in Christ's day, Hebrew slavery of both kinds was utterly extirpated. The N.T. directions had a similar result. A Christian could not hold souls in bondage for whom the blood of Christ was shed. And so slavery ended in the empire among Christians. Today it is acknowledged throughout Christendom as a crime; while Mohammedanism holds fast to slavery and polygamy - the two twin-sisters of barbarism. The liberty in Christ Jesus extends to the body as well as to the soul. The gospel, in emancipating from the bondage of sin, breaks the backbone of every other kind of bondage, and substitutes for it the service of God, which is perfect freedom.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

See Slav.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A person who is held in bondage to another; one who is wholly subject to the will of another; one who is held as a chattel; one who has no freedom of action, but whose person and services are wholly under the control of another. thou our slave, Our captive, at the public mill our drudge Milton.

2. One who has lost the power of resistance; one who surrenders himself to any power whatever; as, a slave to passion, to lust, to strong drink, to ambition.

3. A drudge; one who labors like a slave.

4. An abject person; a wretch. Shak. Slave ant (Zoöl.), any species of ants which is captured and enslaved by another species, especially Formica fusca of Europe and America, which is commonly enslaved by Formica sanguinea. -- Slave catcher, one who attempted to catch and bring back a fugitive slave to his master. -- Slave coast, part of the western coast of Africa to which slaves were brought to be sold to foreigners. -- Slave driver, one who superintends slaves at their work; hence, figuratively, a cruel taskmaster. -- Slave hunt. (a) A search after persons in order to reduce them to slavery. Barth. (b) A search after fugitive slaves, often conducted with bloodhounds. -- Slave ship, a vessel employed in the slave trade or used for transporting slaves; a slaver. -- Slave trade, the busines of dealing in slaves, especially of buying them for transportation from their homes to be sold elsewhere. -- Slave trader, one who traffics in slaves.

Synonyms: Bond servant; bondman; bondslave; captive; henchman; vassal; dependent; drudge. See Serf.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To drudge; to toil; to labor as a slave.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To enslave. Marston.