And 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.
You may pass them down as an inheritance to your children after you, for them to own as property; they can be your servants permanently. But you must not rule harshly over your fellow Israelites.
This verse allows permanent slavery of foreigners while requiring gentler treatment of fellow Israelites as servants.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of ancient Israel, God gave Moses laws to regulate societal practices, including slavery, as part of the covenant established at Mount Sinai while the Israelites prepared to settle in the Promised Land. This verse specifically addresses the treatment of foreign slaves, who could be inherited by future generations, versus fellow Israelites, whom God commanded not to rule harshly to promote justice and community harmony. These regulations reflected the broader biblical emphasis on God's protection of the vulnerable and the distinct identity of His chosen people.
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