Leviticus 25:42

42 For they are my servants, and I brought them out of the land of Egypt: let them not be sold as bondmen.

Leviticus 25:42 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 25:42

For they [are] my servants, which I brought forth out of the
land of Egypt
The Lord redeemed them out of Egypt, made a purchase of them, and had a prior right unto them, and being his servants first, they cannot be the servants of others; his right unto them as such antecedes and prevents any other claim upon them: they shall not be sold as bondmen;
or, "with", or, "according to the sale of a bondman" ^F21; in the manner they are sold, or according to the laws of selling of servants; not in such a public manner as they are sold in markets, nor for such purposes to be used as slaves in a rigorous manner, nor so as to be retained for ever in servitude; not to be sold by proclamation, as Jarchi observes, saying, here is a servant to be sold; nor shall they set him upon the stone of sale; for it seems in public places in markets, where slaves were sold, there was a stone on which they were placed, which showed that they were to be sold; but now an Israelite was not to be sold in such a manner, so Maimonides ^F23 says, but privately, in an honourable way.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (dbe trkmm) "venditione servi", Drusius.
F23 Hilchot Abadim, c. 1. sect. 5.

Leviticus 25:42 In-Context

40 But he shall be as a hireling, and a sojourner: he shall work with thee until the year of the jubilee.

41 And afterwards he shall go out with his children: and shall return to his kindred and to the possession of his fathers.

42 For they are my servants, and I brought them out of the land of Egypt: let them not be sold as bondmen.

43 Afflict him not by might: but fear thy God.

44 Let your bondmen, and your bondwomen, be of the nations that are round about you: