#STRask Why Does the Bible Teach You How to Be a Proper Slave Owner?
Nov 13, 2025
The discussion dives into why the Bible appears to instruct on slave ownership instead of outright condemnation. It unpacks the translation of the Hebrew word 'avad,' revealing its original meaning as servant rather than slave. The hosts highlight legal protections for servants in Mosaic Law and argue that biblical servitude differs significantly from modern slavery. They emphasize God's ideal of freedom, showcasing how cultural context humanized servitude regulations and exploring historical gradual reforms.
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Word Choice Changes Meaning
- The Hebrew word avad is usually translated servant or bondservant, not the American sense of chattel slave.
- Modern translations shifted to "slave," which misleads readers about biblical practices.
Freedom Is Biblical Ideal
- The Bible frames slavery as far from God's ideal, using Israel's rescue from bondage as evidence.
- Scripture repeatedly presents freedom as the goal and slavery as a metaphor for bondage to sin.
Read Texts With Cultural Eyes
- Read biblical regulations in cultural context and compare them to the creation ideal to understand intent.
- Use the creation narrative and Jesus' teaching to judge whether laws reflect God's ultimate will.
