Leviticus 25:53

53 as a hireling; he shall be with him from year to year; thou shalt not oppress him with labour before thee.

Leviticus 25:53 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 25:53

[And] as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him
Being redeemable every year, and upon his redemption might quit his master's service, as an hireling may; and the price of his redemption to be valued according to the years he served, and as if he had been hired for so much a year; as well as he was to be treated in a kind and gentle manner, not as a bondman, but as if he was an hired servant, as follows: [and the other] shall not rule with rigour over him in thy sight;
the person he is sold unto, his master, a sojourner or stranger, he might not use an Hebrew he had bought with any severity; for if an Hebrew master might not use an Hebrew servant with rigour, it was not by any means to be admitted in the commonwealth of Israel for a proselyte to use one in such a manner, and that openly, in the sight of an Israelite his neighbour; he looking on and not remonstrating against it, or acquainting the civil magistrate with it, who had it in his power to redress such a grievance, and ought to do it.

Leviticus 25:53 In-Context

51 And if any have a greater number of years , according to these he shall pay his ransom out of his purchase-money.

52 And if but a little time be left of the years to the year of release, then shall he reckon to him according to his years, and shall pay his ransom

53 as a hireling; he shall be with him from year to year; thou shalt not oppress him with labour before thee.

54 And if he do not pay his ransom accordingly, he shall go out in the year of his release, he and his children with him.

55 For the children of Israel are my servants: they are my attendants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt.