The Bible getsthe easiest moral question that humanity has ever faced wrong. Slavery!
The Bible contains not one mention of God’s desire to end slavery. Out of all the “thou shalt nots” and multitude of rules that he provides for us; out of all the chapters that God spends giving us intricate directions for making candles, tents, and temples; and out of all the chapters that God inspires the authors to spend on telling us who begat whom; not once does he ever take the time to abolish, admonish, or reject slavery.
Because God is omniscient, he knew a time would arrive when the results of his silence would include the capture, torture, castration, dehumanization, and/or murder of tens of millions of Africans around the world. Even with his unlimited knowledge, God still neglects to spend two seconds of his infinite time to ensure that we have his documented denouncement of slavery.
Here are ten passages from the Bible that clearly demonstrate God’s position on slavery:
From the most worstest to the worst
Exodus 21:7
‘If a man sells his daughter as a slave she will not leave (after six years) as male slaves do.
If she does not please her master who intended her for himself he must let her be bought back.
Can it get any worse than this? A man sells his daughter to be a slave knowing full well that she will be raped but she had better enjoy the rape and be good in bed or else the “father” will have to give the rapist his money back.
Here, in these separate passages, God describes how to become a slave for life, and shows that it is completely acceptable to separate slaves from their families. God also shows that he completely endorses the branding of slaves through mutilation.
‘But if the slave says to you, “I do not want to leave you,” because he loves you and your family, and is well off with you…
then you must take an awl and drive it through the slave’s ear and into the door. He will be your servant forever.Exodus 21:2
“Take an awl and drive it through the slave’s ear“.
That sounds about right. Note it’s because it’s because he loves you and your family. Not because he loves his own family. “Family values” hadn’t quite entered the lexicon yet.
‘When you purchase a Hebrew slave, his service will last for six years.’
In the seventh year he will leave a free man. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and children will belong to the master, and he will depart alone”Deuteronomy 15:16
Wonderful, wonderful loving God, treats his Jews right… except those who are sold into slavery. After six years, HEBREW slaves leave but only if they forsake their five year old son.
The above passages are the worst amoral passages possible. It doesn’t get worse but it doesn’t get much better either.
‘If someone beats his slave and the slave dies at his hands he shall certainly be avenged…’
But should the slave survive for one day or two he will pay no penalty because the slave is his owner’s property. Exodus 21:20
So, it’s OK to beat your slaves, so long as they survive a day or two. Just don’t beat them so bad that they die instantly.
If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull must be stoned.
Not only does God condone slavery, but here God places a value on slaves — 30 shekels of silver.Exodus 21:32
Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly.Leviticus Chapter 25, verse 44:
Here God states where you may purchase your slaves, and clearly specifies that slaves are property to be bought, sold and handed down.
AND NOW… YOU CHRISTIANS CANNOT EXCUSE SLAVERY AS AN OLD TESTAMENT THING.
Now a centurion had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.Luke, Chapter 7, verse 2:
Here Jesus shows that he is completely comfortable with the concept of slavery. Jesus heals the slave without any thought of freeing the slave or admonishing the slave’s owner. Read that phrase again… nonsense. Jesus is impressed by the centurion who bosses people around.
Colossians, chapter 3, verse 22:
Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever your task, work heartily…
Here God shows that he is in complete acceptance of a slave’s position, and encourages slaves to work hard. This sentiment is repeated in
Titus, chapter 2 verse 9:
Bid slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to be refractory, nor to pilfer, but to show entire and true fidelity.
Luke 12:46-47
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luke 17:7-9
But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
1 Corinthians 7:21-22
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
Ephesians 6:5
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
Colossians 3:22
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ.
Colossians 4:1
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
1 Timothy 6:1-5
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise … he is proud, knowing nothing…. From such withdraw thyself.
Titus 2:9-10
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
1 Peter 2:18
Did God mean it?
Many Christians will try to argue that God does not intend for us to keep slaves today. That simply is not true. As you can see, both Jesus and the New Testament are strong advocates of slavery.
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever.” In the twenty first century, God and the Bible fully intend for us to have slaves.
If God actually had anything to do with the Bible, then the eleventh commandment would be, “Thou shalt not enslave.”
But wait….here’s more from the Old Testament
Genesis 9:25-27
And he [Noah] said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
Genesis 16:8-9
And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
Genesis 17:12-13
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised.
Genesis 24:35-36
And the LORD hath blessed my master [Abraham] greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
Genesis 26:12-14
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants.
Exodus 12:44
But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
Exodus 20:17
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Exodus 21:2-6
If thou buy a Hebrew servant….
Exodus 21:7
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant….
Exodus 21:20-21
If a man smite his servant or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall be surely punished; notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his money.
Exodus 21:26-27
And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake. And if he smite out his manservant’s tooth, or his maidservant’s tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth’s sake.
Exodus 21:32
If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver.
Exodus 22:2-3
If a thief … have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
Leviticus 19:20
And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
Leviticus 22:11
If the priest buy any soul with his money….
Leviticus 25:39
And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee….
Leviticus 25:44-46
Thy bond-men and thy bond-maids which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you: of them shall ye buy bond-men and bond-maids. Moreover, of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land. And they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession, they shall be your bond-man forever.
Deuteronomy 5:21
Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Deuteronomy 15:12
And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman be sold unto thee….
Deuteronomy 20:10-11
When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.
Deuteronomy 20:14
But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself.
Joshua 9:23
Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
In the Old Testament, God condoned and gave instructions for the ownership of men and women as “servants”. Jesus and the New Testament did nothing to utterly reject the concept of servitude, but instead, encouraged “servants” to obey their masters. Today we use the word “slave” to represent those who are bought and sold, i.e. “owned” .
- here is the passage, that in 127 words, defines God’s rules for slavery:
- Lev.25:44-46
- Thy bond-men and thy bond-maids which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you: of them shall ye buy bond-men and bond-maids. Moreover, of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land. And they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession, they shall be your bond-man forever.
This passage from Leviticus leaves no doubt that:
- What ever phrase is used to describe them, i.e. bond-men, servant, hand-made, they are chattel; i.e. bought and sold; i.e. slaves.
- Slaves are not to be of your kind but heathens.
- You may take the children of strangers and sell them.
- Slaves so obtained become property that can be inherited.
There is no other word for a human that is bought and sold and inherited other than slave, regardless of the word used in the Bible. It is clear that the position of servant is not one equal employed to help another. It is clear that the “servant” is one who is at the lowest end of the social scale and who is totally at the mercy of the one to whom he is enslaved.
Lest there be any doubt that God condoned slavery, these passages will remove it.
We know that there are passages, primarily in the New Testament that appear to condemn slavery, but the passages condoning slavery outnumber those condemning slavery 3 to 1. More importantly, why should there be ANY passages that support slavery in a book purported to be the word of a loving God? There should be no need to have a discussion over whether or not the bible condones slavery. If He were truly a loving God, there would be no doubt that slavery is an abomination. Why is a prohibition of slavery not one of the 10 commandments?
- Gen.9:25-27
- And he [Noah] said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. …and Canaan shall be his servant.
- Gen.17:12-13
- And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised.
- Gen.24:35-36
- And the LORD hath blessed my master [Abraham] greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
- Manservants and maidservants are classified with camels and asses… i.e. PROPERTY!
- Gen.26:12-14
- Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants. (a great store of servants represents wealth)
- Ex.12:44
- But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
- Ex.21:32
- If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; the owner shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver.
- Ex.20:17
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (don’t covet another man’s property)
- Ex.21:2-6
- If thou buy a Hebrew servant.…
- Ex.21:7
And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant….
(If a man sell his daughter??? What is going on here? – please explain)
- Ex.21:20-21
- If a man smite his servant or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand, he shall be surely punished; notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his money.
- Ex.22:2-3
- If a thief … have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.
- Lev.19:20
- And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
- Lev.22:11
- If the priest buy any soul with his money….
- Lev.25:39
- And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee.…
- Dt.5:21
- Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (all the aforementioned belong to someone else).
- Dt.15:12
- And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman be sold unto thee…. ( there are different rules if your slave is a “brother”).
- Dt.20:10-11
- When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. (Offer peace – then make then your slaves).
- Dt.20:14
- But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself.
- Dt.15:9-10
- Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him naught; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. (If you fail to release a Jewish slave after the seventh year, you have sinned).
- Dt.23:15-16
- You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him.
- Dt.24:7
- If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die.
- Jos.9:23
- Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
- Lk.12:46-47
- The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. (i.e. the “owner will either slaughter a servant, or severly beat a disobedient slave – thereby justifying the treatment of southern slaves).
- Lk.17:7-9
- But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. (Apparently no one thanked their slaves for doing those things that were commanded of them – and why should they – you don’t thank people for knowing their place; right?)
- Eph.6:5
- Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.
(Don’t just do something because you were commanded to do it, but do it with a smile and a good heart, otherwise you might displease God)