Leviticus 25:43

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41 And then he shall depart from you—he and his children ^awith him—and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers.

42 For they are ^aMy servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.

43 ^aYou shall not rule over him ^bwith rigor, but you ^cshall fear your God.

44 And as for your male and female slaves whom you may have—from the nations that are around you, from them you may buy male and female slaves.

45 Moreover you may buy ^athe children of the strangers who dwell among you, and their families who are with you, which they beget in your land; and they shall become your property.

46 And ^ayou may take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them as a possession; they shall be your permanent slaves. But regarding your brethren, the children of Israel, you shall not rule over one another with rigor.

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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Leviticus 25:43

Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor - What is rigorous service? "Service which is not determined, and service whereof there is no need." This is the definition given by the Jews; but much more is implied in this command than is expressed here. Labour beyond the person' s strength, or labor too long continued, or in unhealthy or uncomfortable places and circumstances, or without sufficient food, etc., is labor exacted with rigour, and consequently inhuman; and this law is made, not for the Mosaic dispensation and the Jewish people, but for every dispensation and for every people under heaven.

**Other Adam Clarke entries containing Leviticus 25:43:**

Exodus 1:13

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Leviticus 25:44 >>

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