If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.
If someone is caught kidnapping any of their fellow Israelites and treats them like property to sell or trade, then that kidnapper must be put to death. You must remove this evil from your community.
God is declaring that kidnapping and human trafficking deserves the death penalty because it's such a serious evil that must be completely removed from society.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of Moses, the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land, and God was giving them a set of laws to establish a just society based on His covenant. This verse specifically addresses the crime of kidnapping and selling fellow Israelites into slavery, which was seen as a severe violation of community bonds and human dignity in a culture where slavery was prevalent. It underscores God's emphasis on protecting His people and maintaining social order through strict punishments.
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