39 "If one of your brothers becomes indigent and has to sell himself to you, don't make him work as a slave. 40 Treat him as a hired hand or a guest among you. He will work for you until the Jubilee, 41 after which he and his children are set free to go back to his clan and his ancestral land. 42 Because the People of Israel are my servants whom I brought out of Egypt, they must never be sold as slaves. 43 Don't tyrannize them; fear your God. 44 "The male and female slaves which you have are to come from the surrounding nations; you are permitted to buy slaves from them. 45 You may also buy the children of foreign workers who are living among you temporarily and from their clans which are living among you and have been born in your land. They become your property. 46 You may will them to your children as property and make them slaves for life. But you must not tyrannize your brother Israelites. 47 "If a foreigner or temporary resident among you becomes rich and one of your brothers becomes poor and sells himself to the foreigner who lives among you or to a member of the foreigner's clan,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 25:39-47
Commentary on Leviticus 25:39-55
(Read Leviticus 25:39-55)
A native Israelite, if sold for debt, or for a crime, was to serve but six years, and to go out the seventh. If he sold himself, through poverty, both his work and his usage must be such as were fitting for a son of Abraham. Masters are required to give to their servants that which is just and equal, John 8:32. We cannot ransom our fellow-sinners, but we may point out Christ to them; while by his grace our lives may adorn his gospel, express our love, show our gratitude, and glorify his holy name.