King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that [are] with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession.
Complete Jewish Bible:
You may also buy the children of foreigners living with you and members of their families born in your land; you may own these.
Berean Standard Bible:
You may also purchase them from the foreigners residing among you or their clans living among you who are born in your land. These may become your property.
American Standard Version:
Moreover of the children of the strangers that sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they have begotten in your land: and they shall be your possession.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Moreover of the children{H1121} of the strangers{H8453} that do sojourn{H1481} among you, of them shall ye buy{H7069}, and of their families{H4940} that are with you, which they begat{H3205} in your land{H776}: and they shall be your possession{H272}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 56:3
- ¶ Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I [am] a dry tree.
Isaiah 56:6
- Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 25:45
Leviticus 25:45 is part of the Holiness Code in the book of Leviticus, which outlines various laws and regulations for the Israelite community, emphasizing holiness and ethical conduct. The verse specifically addresses the practice of slavery, which was an established institution in the ancient Near Eastern context. The historical context of this verse is the period after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, when they were forming their society in the Promised Land, guided by divine legislation.
The verse permits the Israelites to purchase slaves from the "children of the strangers," referring to non-Israelite foreigners residing within their territory. These foreigners could be temporary residents or merchants, and their offspring born in the land of Israel could be bought as property. The text suggests that such individuals and their families could be held in perpetual servitude, becoming the permanent property of their Israelite masters.
This permission to acquire foreign slaves stands in contrast to the regulations concerning the treatment of Hebrew slaves, which are detailed earlier in the chapter. Hebrew slaves were to be released in the Year of Jubilee, which occurred every fifty years, and were not to be treated as chattel property. However, foreign slaves were not granted the same rights and protections.
The themes reflected in this verse include the stratification of society, the distinction between Israelites and foreigners, and the economic and social structures of ancient Israel. It also highlights the patriarchal nature of Israelite society, where families, including children, could be bought and sold as part of a household's assets. The verse reflects the historical reality of slavery in the ancient world, an institution that the Bible regulates but does not universally condemn.
In the broader context of the Bible, this verse is part of a complex tapestry of teachings that include both the regulation of social practices like slavery and calls for justice, compassion, and the inherent value of all human beings. Over time, the principles of equality and freedom found elsewhere in the Bible have been emphasized by many religious leaders and scholars to challenge the acceptability of slavery and to promote the dignity of every individual.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H8453
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תּוֹשָׁב
Transliteration: tôwshâb
Pronunciation: to-shawb'
Description: or תֹּשָׁב; (1 Kings 17:1), from יָשַׁב; a dweller (but not outlandish (נׇכְרִי)); especially (as distinguished from a native citizen (active participle of יָשַׁב) and a temporary inmate (גֵּר) or mere lodger (לוּן)); resident alien; foreigner, inhabitant, sojourner, stranger. - Strong's Number: H1481
There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוּר
Transliteration: gûwr
Pronunciation: goor
Description: a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather forhostility (as afraid); abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H7069
There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָנָה
Transliteration: qânâh
Pronunciation: kaw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own; attain, buy(-er), teach to keep cattle, get, provoke to jealousy, possess(-or), purchase, recover, redeem, [idiom] surely, [idiom] verily. - Strong's Number: H4940
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּחָה
Transliteration: mishpâchâh
Pronunciation: mish-paw-khaw'
Description: from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red). - Strong's Number: H3205
There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַד
Transliteration: yâlad
Pronunciation: yaw-lad'
Description: a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H272
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲחֻזָּה
Transliteration: ʼăchuzzâh
Pronunciation: akh-ooz-zaw'
Description: feminine passive participle from אָחַז; something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land); possession.