What does the Bible say about the treatment of slaves?
We mentioned a few podcasts back that atheist's like to accuse the Bible of encouraging the beating of slaves. They even go as far as to say that the Bible says it's ok to beat your slave to death as long as they live a few days before they die. They get this idea from Exodus 21:20-21
Exodus 21:20-21 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. (21) Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money.
What's up with that? We have three things mentioned here that should trouble any normal human being; a beating, a death after a few days and the idea that the slave was property (money). Let's look at each issue individually.
If he dies after a few days
First, let's keep the Bible in context. God says in Exo 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. That tells us right away that we cannot interpret this to mean that God is saying it's ok to beat our slaves to death as long as they live a few days after the beating. Secondly, verse 20 says if the slave dies, you were to be put to death.
What exactly is going on in this verse? We have a beating (not good) and a death (also not good). When the Word says the slave died a few days later, it is saying that they died for a reason unrelated to the beating. Again, thou shalt not kill. This command is throughout the entire Bible and cannot be ignored in this situation. Let's read this passage in context.
Exodus 21:20-27 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. (21) Notwithstanding, if he co |
