Leviticus 25:45

Key Reflection

In the ancient Near East, slavery was a common social institution, often involving foreign captives who were purchased as servants or slaves. The Israelites, living among diverse peoples, could acquire such individuals from neighboring nations and include them in their household economies. This passage reflects the legal status and treatment of these non-Israelite slaves within the broader context of Leviticus, which contains various regulations aimed at ensuring a just and humane treatment of all people, including those in servitude.