If, however, they
chose to remain with their wives and children, the ear of the servant
was bored with an awl to the door-post, and his servitude became
perpetual.
"4. Hebrew servants might also, from love to their masters, in like
manner and by the same ceremony, become servants forever.
"5. Strangers and sojourners among the Hebrews, 'waxing rich,' were
allowed to buy Hebrews who were 'waxen poor,' and who were at liberty to
sell themselves to these sojourners or to the family of these strangers.
The jubilee year, however, terminated this servitude. The price of sale
was graduated according to the number of years previous to the jubilee
year. The kindred of the servant had the right of redeeming him, the
price being regulated in the same way.
"6. In all these cases in which Hebrews were bought and sold, there were
special injunctions that they should not be treated 'with rigor,' the
reason assigned by the Most High being substantially the same in all
cases, namely, 'For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they
are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the
Lord your God.'
"7. Liberal provision was to be made for the Hebrew servant at the
termination of his servitude.
Pages:
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218