Leviticus 25:44

KJV

Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, [shall be] of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.

KJV (with Strong's)

Both thy bondmen {H5650}, and thy bondmaids {H519}, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen {H1471} that are round about {H5439} you; of them shall ye buy {H7069} bondmen {H5650} and bondmaids {H519}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Concerning the men and women you may have as slaves: you are to buy men- and women-slaves from the nations surrounding you.

Berean Standard Bible

Your menservants and maidservants shall come from the nations around you, from whom you may purchase them.

American Standard Version

And as for thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, whom thou shalt have; of the nations that are round about you, of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 25:44 establishes a specific regulation within the Mosaic Law concerning the acquisition of permanent bondservants for the Israelites. This verse stipulates that such bondmen and bondmaids were to be purchased exclusively from the "heathen" or non-Israelite nations surrounding them, thereby creating a distinct legal framework for servitude that differentiated between fellow Israelites—who could only enter temporary, debt-based servitude—and foreigners. This provision reflects God's unique covenant relationship with Israel, providing protections for His people while regulating an existing societal practice within the ancient Near East.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 25 is a pivotal chapter within the book, detailing the laws for the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee. These laws underscore God's ultimate ownership of the land and the people of Israel, emphasizing themes of rest, redemption, and restoration. The regulations concerning servitude (Leviticus 25:39-55) are presented as an extension of these principles. Verses [Leviticus 25:39-43](/leviticus/25-39 "Leviticus 25:39-43 - Regulations for Israelite Servants") specifically outline the humane treatment and eventual release of Israelites who become bondservants due to poverty, ensuring they are treated as hired laborers rather than permanent slaves. Following this, [Leviticus 25:44-46](/leviticus/25-44 "Leviticus 25:44-46 - Regulations for Foreign Servants") addresses the conditions for acquiring non-Israelite bondservants, allowing them to be held as permanent property. This stark contrast highlights the covenantal distinction between Israel and other nations, with God's law providing unique protections for His chosen people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, various forms of servitude and slavery were widespread and deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of societies. Unlike many surrounding cultures where slavery could be brutal and lifelong for anyone, the Mosaic Law, rather than instituting slavery, sought to regulate and mitigate its harsher aspects within Israelite society, particularly for fellow Israelites. The practice of acquiring bondservants from foreign nations was common, often resulting from conquest, debt, or voluntary sale. However, the Mosaic Law's provisions, such as the [Year of Jubilee](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - The Year of Jubilee"), offered a revolutionary framework for redemption and release for Israelite bondservants, a concept largely unparalleled in the ancient world. This verse reflects the reality of the time while simultaneously demonstrating God's progressive revelation of justice and compassion, even within the constraints of existing societal norms. The distinction between Israelite and non-Israelite bondservants underscored the unique covenant relationship God had with Israel, a people set apart.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bondmen/Bondmaids (Hebrew, _'eved_ / _shiphchah'_):** These terms are often translated as "slave" in modern English, but their semantic range in ancient Israel was much broader, encompassing various forms of servitude from indentured servants, hired laborers, and even high-ranking household administrators, to those in involuntary servitude. The context of Leviticus 25:44, particularly the permission to "buy" and hold them "forever" (as implied by the contrast with Israelite servants who are released), indicates a more permanent and inheritable form of servitude, closer to what we understand as chattel slavery, though still subject to the broader ethical principles of the Mosaic Law.
* **Heathen (Hebrew, _goyim'_):** This term literally means "nations" or "peoples" and refers to non-Israelite nations or Gentiles. In this context, it designates the foreign peoples surrounding Israel, from whom permanent bondservants could be acquired. The use of _goyim_ here emphasizes the ethnic and covenantal distinction: those outside the covenant community of Israel were subject to different legal provisions regarding servitude compared to those within the covenant.
* **Buy (Hebrew, _qanah'_):** This verb signifies "to acquire," "to purchase," or "to possess." In the context of human beings, it refers to the legal transaction of acquiring a person into servitude, typically through payment. This highlights the transactional nature of acquiring non-Israelite bondservants, distinct from the debt-based or poverty-driven servitude of fellow Israelites, who were not to be "sold" as slaves but rather "hired" as laborers (cf. [Leviticus 25:39-40](/leviticus/25-39 "Leviticus 25:39-40 - Treatment of Israelite Servants")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have":** This opening clause establishes the subject of the regulation: the male and female bondservants currently or prospectively under Israelite ownership. It acknowledges the existence of such individuals within Israelite society, setting the stage for the subsequent directive regarding their origin.
* **"[shall be] of the heathen that are round about you":** This is the core directive, specifying the exclusive source for permanent bondservants. The phrase "the heathen that are round about you" clearly indicates non-Israelite peoples, emphasizing the ethnic and national boundary for this type of acquisition. This clause directly contrasts with the laws governing Israelite bondservants, who could not be held permanently.
* **"of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids":** This concluding phrase reiterates and reinforces the instruction, emphasizing the method of acquisition ("buy") and the specific types of individuals ("bondmen and bondmaids") to be obtained from these foreign nations. The repetition underscores the legal specificity and the intended permanence of this form of servitude as distinct from the temporary arrangements for Israelites.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Leviticus 25:44, especially when read in conjunction with the surrounding verses, is **Contrast**. The verse sharply contrasts the permissible source and conditions for acquiring non-Israelite bondservants with the strict limitations and humane provisions for Israelite bondservants outlined in [Leviticus 25:39-43](/leviticus/25-39 "Leviticus 25:39-43 - Regulations for Israelite Servants"). This contrast highlights the **Covenantal Distinction** inherent in God's law, where the unique relationship between Yahweh and Israel dictated different legal and ethical standards for His chosen people versus the surrounding nations. Furthermore, there is an element of **Legal Repetition**, as the phrase "bondmen and bondmaids" is used multiple times, reinforcing the specific categories of individuals being discussed and underscoring the legal precision of the statute.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 25:44, while challenging to modern sensibilities, reveals profound theological truths about God's sovereignty, His covenantal faithfulness, and the progressive nature of His revelation. It underscores the principle that God, as the ultimate owner of all people and the land, has the right to establish distinct laws for His covenant people. The distinction in servitude laws reflects God's desire to protect Israel's unique identity and prevent its people from being permanently subjugated, a reflection of their redemption from Egyptian bondage. This passage also implicitly highlights the reality of sin in the world, which necessitated such regulations, while simultaneously laying groundwork for a future where all humanity would be brought into a new covenant relationship.

* [Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - The Year of Jubilee and Freedom")
* [Leviticus 25:39-43](/leviticus/25-39 "Leviticus 25:39-43 - Laws for Israelite Servants")
* [Deuteronomy 23:15-16](/deuteronomy/23-15 "Deuteronomy 23:15-16 - Fugitive Slaves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Understanding Leviticus 25:44 requires careful historical and theological interpretation, acknowledging the vast cultural and ethical differences between ancient Israel and contemporary society. While the Bible records the practice of slavery, it also progressively lays the groundwork for its eventual abolition by emphasizing humane treatment, the dignity of all people, and ultimately, the radical equality found in Christ. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's covenant faithfulness to Israel and His meticulous care in establishing laws that distinguished His people. It challenges us to interpret scripture contextually, recognizing that God's revelation unfolds progressively, moving humanity towards higher ethical standards exemplified in Christ's teachings. Our application must move beyond mere imitation of ancient practices to discerning the underlying principles of justice, compassion, and the ultimate liberation found in the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the historical context of ancient Near Eastern servitude help us interpret Leviticus 25:44 more accurately?**
* **In what ways does the distinction between Israelite and non-Israelite servitude in Leviticus 25 reflect God's unique covenant relationship with Israel?**
* **How do the New Testament teachings on love, equality, and mutual respect transform our understanding of master-servant relationships, even in light of Old Testament passages like this?**
* **What universal principles of justice and human dignity can we glean from the broader context of Leviticus 25, even when specific practices differ from modern ethics?**

### FAQ
**Does Leviticus 25:44 endorse slavery as a moral good for all time?**

Answer: No, Leviticus 25:44 does not endorse slavery as a timeless moral good. Instead, it regulates an existing social institution within the specific historical and cultural context of ancient Israel. The Mosaic Law, rather than instituting slavery, sought to mitigate its abuses and provide a framework for its practice that was significantly more humane than those of surrounding cultures, particularly for fellow Israelites (cf. [Leviticus 25:39-43](/leviticus/25-39 "Leviticus 25:39-43 - Regulations for Israelite Servants")). This verse, by specifying a source for permanent bondservants, acknowledges the reality of the ancient world while simultaneously demonstrating God's progressive revelation. The Bible's trajectory moves towards greater human dignity and freedom, culminating in the New Testament's radical teachings on equality and love in Christ, which ultimately undermined the very foundations of slavery.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 25:44, with its stark distinction between Israelite and foreign bondservants, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the perpetuation of servitude, but in the radical liberation and new covenant realities brought by Jesus Christ. The Old Testament laws, including those concerning servitude, often highlighted the need for redemption and the covenantal separation of Israel. In Christ, these distinctions are transcended. He is the ultimate Jubilee, proclaiming "liberty to the captives" ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission")), fulfilling the spirit of the Jubilee laws by setting humanity free from the true bondage of sin and death ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Freed from Sin")). The ethnic and national distinctions that governed Old Covenant servitude are abolished in the new humanity formed in Christ, where there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Equality in Christ")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus purchased not bondservants, but a people for Himself, redeeming them from every tribe and language and people and nation ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb's Worthiness")). Thus, the temporary and limited provisions of the Old Covenant point forward to the boundless and eternal freedom found in the Lamb of God, who truly liberates all who believe, regardless of their earthly status or origin ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.