Bible Verses About Slavery

Bible passages about slavery, servitude, and the treatment of servants in ancient Israel and the early church.

King James Version
2If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. 5And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Exodus 21:2-6
44Both 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. 45Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. 46And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour.
Leviticus 25:44-46
12And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. 13And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: 14Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. 15And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
Deuteronomy 15:12-15
5Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Ephesians 6:5
9And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Ephesians 6:9
22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
Colossians 3:22
25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Colossians 3:25
15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
Philemon 1:15-16
1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
1 Timothy 6:1-2
28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28
21Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
1 Corinthians 7:21
23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1 Corinthians 7:23
13And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: 14And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.
Exodus 1:13-14

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Bible condone slavery?

The Bible regulated slavery within its ancient context while planting seeds for its abolition. Old Testament law limited terms and protected servants' rights. Paul urged Philemon to receive his slave 'as a brother' (Philemon 16). Galatians 3:28 declares all are one in Christ.

How did Christians historically use the Bible regarding slavery?

Tragically, some used passages like Ephesians 6:5 to justify slavery. However, abolitionists also used Scripture — particularly Galatians 3:28, Exodus's liberation narrative, and Jesus's teachings on human dignity — to argue against the institution.

Was biblical slavery the same as American chattel slavery?

Most scholars distinguish ancient Near Eastern servitude from race-based chattel slavery. Biblical slavery often involved debt repayment with legal protections and term limits (Exodus 21:2, Deuteronomy 15:12). However, Leviticus 25:44-46 permitted permanent ownership of foreigners. The Bible's overall trajectory moves toward liberation and human dignity.