slavery-in-ancient-hebrew-and-greek-history Mandatory assignments 22.pdf

many past generations is slavery. Slavery is now a thing of the past, which is cause to celebrate,

however it does not erase the many years of slavery that people all over the world endured

through history. The specific origin of the slavery discussed in this text will be that of the ancient

Hebrews and Greeks. While slavery is mentioned many times in the Bible, God often mentions

men like Socrates2. The two ancient societies when compared to one another, although still

admittedly having similarities, have a wide array of differences, and the distinctions are made

very clear in the following paragraphs. It is not only the difference they have with one another,

but also the difference between the Old and New Testament Scriptures and the different

meanings of slavery in each.

those considered to be slaves ranged anywhere from royalty of their fallen enemies, to those who

were poor. Athens was a popular place for slavery in Greece at this time, to the extent that

slavery was considered essential for every household. Those who were not quite so well off

maybe only had one slave, but those who were considered to be of a higher class would have up

etc. Women were sold for more money if they had youth and beauty in their favor, and highly

skilled slaves were also of great worth. These slaves were used in a multitude of areas in order to

benefit the master, i.e.: cooking, cleaning, tutoring, and were even used to just keep company.

The best slaves in Athens were the slaves that were considered to be owned by not just one

master, but the entire state. They held prominent jobs in the community such as notaries, and

they even often worked side by side with the citizens when it came to an assortment of projects.

These slaves eventually were able to live on their own due to their jobs allowing them to earn

some of a wage even if they did have to give a portion of it back to their owners. When the

“regular” slaves were to enter into a new house-hold, however, they were required to hold a ritual

to the goddess of Hestia, who apparently was meant to protect the slaves and keep them safe.

treated quite as bad, there was still some very difficult work to be done. The most difficult work

was done by industrial slaves in the silver mines, who were considered to be “barbarians”. These

people worked all day without rest and yet the price for one of these “barbarian” slaves was

lower than the rest in spite of their relentless toil. If a slave was disobedient in the ancient Greek

culture, or seemed to resist the wishes of the one who owns them, they would often be starved or

beaten as a form of punishment towards their transgressions. Although there were specific laws

Xenophon wrote about how to handle slaves within your household. He uses a Socratic dialogue

to explain that when slaves are not being obedient, they must be treated like animals (he refers to

puppies) because they are the lesser species. He essentially goes on to say that “some are hungry

for praise and others hungry for food” therefore giving and withholding of these things is the

only viable option to obtain obedience.2

have many stipulations. According to the Bible in Exodus 21:2-11, there were strict guidelines

that if a slave is going to serve you for six years, then on the seventh, he must be set free. It again

talks about this in Jeremiah 34:8-7, stating that on the seventh year, the slave must be allowed to

slave makes the decision to stay because he loves his master, he must be “branded” by having his

ear pierced, signifying his life-long servitude. There are also distinct rules in this Scripture that

speaks about how a woman should be treated in servitude, and upon “dismissal” if the particular

slave is not to their liking. It talks about how the woman should still be taken care of, and that if

a man chooses a woman slave for his son, he must treat her like a daughter. This is vastly

different from the Greek culture, where they had much trouble letting go of their slaves, and if

they did not like something they admonished them physically or by withholding from them.3

but to sell themselves to others. However, if they approach you as a Hebrew, you should instead

hire them and have them work until the year of the jubilee in which they and their kin will be

released to go where they please. Another difference between the Greek slavery and Hebrew, is

that it tells us in the Bible to treat these people with kindness because they are Israelites, and

therefore none is beneath the other. It reminds them in the passages in Leviticus as well as

delivered as slaves from Egypt by God Himself, and that just as God delivered them, they must

deliver each other from bondage.3

a specific level of respect, speaks to God’s character and Faithfulness. He knew then and always

has known that men are created in His image, and that no title would change that once they

decide to follow Jesus. This faithfulness does not change in the New Testament, instead it

flourishes with each of the Acts of Jesus. After Jesus died for all the people of Earth, He took the

wages of sin and paid them by dying on the cross. Romans 13:8 tells us to “let no debt remain

outstanding, except the debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”4