But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile:
Instead, he should be treated like a hired worker or temporary resident living with you, and he will work for you only until the Year of Jubilee.
This verse is establishing that fellow Israelites who become indentured servants should be treated with dignity like hired workers, not as permanent slaves.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israelite society, God provided laws through Moses in the book of Leviticus to promote economic justice and prevent perpetual poverty among His people. The Year of Jubilee, occurring every 50 years, was a designated time for restoring land to original owners, canceling debts, and freeing those who had sold themselves into servitude due to hardship. This verse specifically addresses how to treat a fellow Israelite in debt bondage, requiring them to be regarded as a hired worker or temporary resident until the Jubilee, ensuring their dignity and limiting the duration of service.
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