And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:

LEVITICUS 25:39KJV
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Leviticus 25:39 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 25:39 mean?

Leviticus 25:39 instructs that if a fellow Israelite becomes poor and has to sell himself to another Israelite, the buyer must not force him to serve as a slave. Instead, the person should be treated with dignity, not as a bondservant but as a hired worker or temporary resident.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, giving laws about how to treat fellow Israelites who fall into poverty. The situation described is one where someone loses everything and must work for another to survive. The verse sets a clear boundary: even in hardship, an Israelite must not be treated as a slave by his own people, highlighting a standard of compassion and respect within the community.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 25:39

  • "Brother" (אָח, 'ach): This word emphasizes that the person in need is a fellow Israelite, not a foreigner, underlining the sense of family and shared responsibility.
  • "Poor" (מוּךְ, mukh): This word means to become low or destitute, painting a picture of someone who has truly fallen on hard times and needs help.
  • "Compel" (עָבַד, avad): This verb is often used for forced labor or servitude, so the command is not to treat the poor brother with the harshness or permanence of slavery.
  • "Bondservant" (עֶבֶד, eved): This term refers to a slave or someone in permanent servitude. The verse draws a distinction between this and the temporary, more respectful arrangement that should be offered.

Why Leviticus 25:39 matters

  • Leviticus 25:39 clarifies that Israelites were not to treat each other as slaves, even when one had to sell himself due to poverty, setting them apart from surrounding cultures where slavery was common.
  • The verse emphasizes compassion and equality, reminding the community that poverty does not erase a person's dignity or their status as a "brother."
  • This law fits into a larger section about the Year of Jubilee, where debts are forgiven and people are restored, showing a broader concern for justice and mercy in Israelite society.