Leviticus 25:46
And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherite them for a possession, they shal bee your bondmen for euer: but ouer your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one ouer another with rigour. Leviticus 25:46 (KJV)
Leviticus is part of the Torah, the third book of the Old Testament, and contains the laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. Chapter 25 deals specifically with the Sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee, setting forth economic and social principles for the community.
The verse addresses the topic of bondmen, or slaves, noting that in ancient Israel slavery was a common institution. The biblical text provides guidelines for the treatment of foreign slaves within the Israelite community, distinguishing this ancient practice from later forms such as the trans‑Atlantic slave trade.
According to the passage, the children of Israel were permitted to take foreign slaves as an inheritance for their children. This meant that a slave could be passed down from one generation to the next as a possession, reflecting the social realities of the time rather than an endorsement of perpetual oppression.
At the same time the law explicitly forbids ruling over fellow Israelites with rigor. While foreign bondmen could be inherited, the Israelites were commanded to treat one another with fairness and compassion, avoiding harsh domination among their own people.
These instructions must be read within the broader biblical ethic. Principles such as the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) and the command to love one’s neighbour (Leviticus 19:18) provide a framework for understanding God’s desire for justice, compassion, and equitable treatment of all people.
The New Testament reinforces this trajectory. Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love one’s neighbour as oneself (Matthew 22:37‑39). The Apostle Paul further declares that in Christ there is no distinction between slave and free (Galatians 3:28), underscoring the transformative message of the Gospel.
When studying challenging passages like Leviticus 25:46, it is helpful to consider the historical context, the overarching biblical principles, and the redemptive narrative that moves toward greater love and justice. Consulting reliable commentaries, scholarly works, and engaging in thoughtful discussion with fellow believers can deepen understanding and application.
