The Exegesis of Exodus 21:1-11

The Bible’s verses concerning slavery contradict other verses in several places when discussing slavery and the treatment of slaves. Ephesians 6:5-9 instructs masters to “give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.” Galatians 3:28 states that “[T]here is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Again, the Bible illustrates that slaves were equal to all others, stating “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, … whether we be bond of free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Abolitionists undoubtedly used these quotes in order to put an end to slavery.

The first mention of slavery in the Bible is found in Noah's declaration, "Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers" (Gen. 9:25). He said this after waking up from a naked, drunken stupor and learning that his son Ham had mocked him. Although Ham was the guilty party, Noah's statement was directed at Ham's youngest son Canaan. If he was involved with his father in this act of disrespect, the statement can be taken as the pronouncement of a curse, "Cursed be Canaan." It is possible, however, that Canaan did not join his father in making fun of Noah. If so, the statement would be in the form of a prophecy: "Cursed will be Canaan." Exodus 20:5 and Ezekiel 18:4 clearly declare that God punishes

African firmly believes that there is a living communion or bond of life which makes for solidarity among members of the same family. Before Christianity, Africans did have their own system of salvation. In traditional religions, salvation can and does take the form of courage to face the reality of morality. The church was looked art as a place for political activity, a source of economic cooperation, an agency of social control, and a refuge in a hostile white world. Slaves worshiped with great enthusiasm. Religion, after all, provided a ready refuge from their daily miseries and kindled the hope that one day their sorrows might end. Planter's actually encouraged religious observances among their slaves hoping that exposure to Christian precepts might make their laborers more docile, less prone to run away, and more cooperative and efficient workers. But slaves turned biblical scriptures to their own purposes forging a theology that often emphasized the theme of liberation. It was easy for them to see, for example, in the figure of Moses a useful model for their own dreams; like the Israelites, they too were ready to cross a River Jordan into a promised land of freedom. The religious services held in the quarters provided slaves with so many positive experiences that, even as they were being exploited, they managed bravely, but perhaps not too surprisingly, to feel that they were free within themselves. In this way slaves began to achieve a degree of liberation well

Whether you are referring to early Israel in the Bible, the transatlantic trade during the 1600s, modern times, slavery has found a way to rear its ugly head in one way or another. It would appear that a person being a chattel to another person, as Merriam-Webster defines slavery, has been around for practically an eternity. Not only has it been –and still is –present, but slavery has been worldwide. No matter what type of slavery –forced labor, debt labor, sex slavery, or child slavery- the topic has proven to be very controversial in history. For American history in particular, slavery is one reason the Civil War began in 1861. In addition to the Civil War, multiple court cases have risen from this culture of forced labor. Cases like

The way that slavery is spoken about in the bible makes it seem that the bible approves of slavery, when read in the literal meaning. Slavery was practiced all throughout the world, Noah cursed Canaan the son of Ham “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. May God extend Japheth’s territory; may Japheth live in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be the slave of Japheth” (Genesis 9:25-27). The Africans were thought to be descendants of Canaan and were supposed to be “servants of servants” (Morrison, 1980). In Larry R. Morrison’s article it stated “Jews would be exterminated as a nation and dispersed over the earth, but would be restored. However, nowhere in the Bible was there a prophecy which removed the curse of slavery from the descendants of Ham and Canaan” (Morrison, 1980). Evangelical scholars from the slave holding southern United Stated who were against the release of slaves came up with a comprehensive and well-known “biblical theology”

3. The Lord threatens the Egyptian people that he will smite or whip there fist-born child until they are dead unless they free the Israelites. The Israelites represent the hebrew slaves.

A slave up to this point in history was considered to be unfortunate and not inferior. In the ancient world,

It is understood that by practicing any of those immoral deeds is enough to sin. It is wrong to follow the “Christianity of Christ” if a slaveholder makes the slave work under harsh conditions, barley nourished and allowing to punish them at the whims of their mood. Also pointed out were the differences between masters who practiced their perverted version of Christianity versus those who were not religious. Throughout the book it is seen that those masters practicing Christianity were a lot more brutal than those who didn't. And the differences are clearly seen when one of his masters, Captain Auld, who at first was a timid and awkward master, was later seen as a violent and savage in behavior. The Bible was misinterpreted drastically by slaveholders, choosing select segments to suit their needs to uphold slavery, ignoring passages speaking of equality and just and moral actions towards

The masters in the church are trying to control slaves by using religion. In paragraph 1 it states that,”Slaves-holders

This journey is more difficult than I thought; I doubt that the other slaves would disagree with me. Hopefully this Moses will not lead us into a death trap but I have heard many stories of him rescuing many slaves that were once captive.

Unlike the case in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, race was not the exclusive or vital factor when considering who was to be enslaved. In the ancient world there was an increased importance on religious affiliation. In Arabia, any non-Muslim who rejected an offer to convert to Islam and also did not have a protective pact was eligible to become enslaved (Gomez 35). References to Africans in the bible seek to explain a relationship between race and slavery. Interpreting biblical passages can lead to controversy, due

The first biblical reference from Colossians 4:1 says, "Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven." Also from Luke 6:31, "And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." The meaning behind this is that we should be treating the children who are forced into slavery with respect because if we were to be put in this situation we ourselves would not appreciate the harshness that these kids experience.

Among the foremost arguments commonly presented by groups with “revolutionary” ideas in their attempt to prove the Torah archaic and irrelevant, is that the Torah’s writings revolve around an ancient and uncivilized people who were completely unsophisticated in their ethical values. A primary example of this claim, they say, is the Torah’s obvious endorsement of the so-called uncultured and cruel practice of slavery. Granted, the practice of one man exercising absolute control over a fellow man appears wholly unethical from the framed perspective of the modern attitude towards the institution of servitude in general, as it unquestionably harbors a negative denotation as well as connotation in modern society. However, many who consider themselves experts on the topic have never really studied the laws pertaining to the owning of a slave in depth, nor have they any clue or knowledge as to the definition and connotation slavery holds in pure Jewish terminology.

Slavery, a word described as the state of one bound in servitude as the property of a household. This description, along with sadness and disbelief gets brought into peoples’ minds as the chilling sensation of the explanations begins to be sought out. The New Testament brings us many different views on how we percept our personal beliefs upon Slavery, and different problems arising as aspects on this topic are perceived by Paul the Apostle in Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

This word does not mean a helper, worker, nor servant it is simple means someone who owns an individual. When I look at the word slave it is describes as an insecure person that is in a dark place and looking for a way out to be free. It is also a cruel, oppressive, and a person that is held hostage from being happy. In I Corinthians 7:21 “Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you-although if you can gain your freedom, do so.” (NIV) This scripture is letting the reader know that every human being on this planet have an opportunity to be free. In order to be free you must be accordance with the Word of God. No person should remain in such a condition that causes them to die mental and physically. Jesus Christ has given man and woman a chance to be free of this world and to be able to be free you must Seek God with all your heart, might and all of your soul. In Proverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” God will do just that and if the people will be a slave for Christ then all of their bitterness, hate, discomfort, unforgiveness will no longer be a slave to the devil. God is the creator of the universe and He keep His promises to human kind and His Word never failed them. When humankind obey His Word and become His slave they will have a prosperous life, and to be a slave master to Christ, people must trust