The words slave and slavery stirs negative images and concepts to most people in our culture. Yet when we read about a culture that is 2000 – 4000 years old we often forget that words can change meaning. Understanding the intended definition of a word requires that one looks at the context and how it is being used. So, when we read about slaves and slavery in the Bible one must remember several key things: 1) Words change meaning over time 2) Our interpretation is filtered through our experiences 3) Words mean what they mean… unless something in the context tells us otherwise.
Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers in Genesis 37 against his will. Does this mean that God approves selling people against their will? No. It is simply a record of what happened. Is there anything else in the Bible that would give us some insight about God’s view of slavery? Yes. Looking into the Law books section in Exodus 21 (a chapter many use to slam Christianity and it’s god as one that approves the type of slavery one would find in 1860 America) we find a law that forbids kidnapping and selling the kidnapped and breaking it warrants capital punishment.
Exodus 21:16 “Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death.” (NIV)
Wait…what? God is against kidnapping and selling people… YES! Isn’t that our definition of slavery? YES! When one reads the word “slave” or “slavery” in the Bible one must look at the context because there are at least two drastically different scenarios being described by the same term. Is the situation like 1860 American slavery or something else? If you do look into it you will discover that “something else” is being endorsed and sanctioned by God. I’d tell you more but then you wouldn’t look for yourself. 🍞 😉
God does not approve or endorse what 21st century Americans would call slavery.
