Leviticus 25:39-43
25:40 a The terms hired worker ... temporary resident appear in parallel, suggesting they were similar in Israel’s socioeconomic system. Both terms describe day laborers who had no land and depended on landowners to hire them (see Matt 20:1-16 b; also see study note on Lev 19:13).• Jubilee: See study note on 25:8-17.
25:42 c The same Hebrew word is translated as both servants and slaves. Because the Israelites were God’s slaves/servants, they could not be slaves/servants to other human beings, except temporarily to work off a debt.
25:43 d As human beings created in God’s image (Gen 1:26 e, 27 f; Prov 14:31 g; 17:5 h) and as fellow Israelites in covenant with God, even bondservants were to be treated with respect. God’s law includes numerous provisions for their protection (see Exod 21:20 i, 26-27 j). All human beings must be treated in a way that reflects reverence for God (see Prov 14:31 k; 17:5 l; Jas 2:14-16 m; 3:9-10 n).
Copyright information for
TNotes