In the Bible, “bondmen” refers to individuals who are enslaved or held in servitude, often as a result of debt or capture. The term signifies their legal status as property and their obligation to serve their masters, as seen in various passages throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Scripture
2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.
3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him.
4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone.
5 But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’
6 then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.
Definition of Bondmen in the Bible KJV
The term “bondmen” in the Bible, particularly as defined in the King James Version (KJV), highlights a complex and often troubling aspect of ancient societies. Bondmen were individuals enslaved due to debts, warfare, or poverty, and biblical texts reveal the social structures that permitted such conditions. For example, in Exodus 21:2, it states, “If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing,” indicating a system where servitude was legally sanctioned yet bounded by time and the possibility of release. This verse illustrates the humanity retained by Hebrew bondmen, as they could reclaim their freedom after a specified period, reflecting a theological underpinning that even among servitude, there existed hope for redemption and restoration.
Moreover, the New Testament brings a spiritual dimension to the concept of bondage, particularly in Galatians 4:7, where Paul writes, “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” This shift emphasizes the transformative power of faith in Christ, positing that believers, once bondmen to sin or the law, are now heirs in the family of God. The broader interpretation of “bondmen” thus encompasses not just physical servitude but also spiritual bondage, highlighting the necessity of liberation through faith. As such, the biblical discussion of bondmen provides insight into both social justice and spiritual freedom, demonstrating the duality of human experience regarding liberty and servitude.
The notion of bondmen in the Bible is not merely confined to the immediate context of servitude; it extends to the relationships and responsibilities between master and servant. For instance, the Book of Leviticus offers regulations on how bondmen should be treated, underscoring a moral obligation to provide fair treatment and rights to those in servitude. The law required landowners to recognize the humanity of their bondmen by providing sustenance and not exploiting their labor. This humane treatment was a reflection of God’s covenant with His people, highlighting that even in positions of servitude, individuals were valued as part of the community and deserving of dignity.
In addition to social justice concerns, bondmen also serve as symbolic figures representing the human condition. In many passages throughout the Scriptures, individuals are depicted as bondmen to various forms of sin or societal constraints. The metaphors of slavery and freedom resonate throughout biblical literature, challenging believers to reflect on their own spiritual journey. The overarching message is that just as bondmen have the potential to be released and restored, so too do individuals have the opportunity to break free from the chains of sin through divine grace. This interpretive lens invites readers to consider broader themes of redemption and restoration, positioning the status of a bondman as critical for understanding both the historical context and the spiritual message conveyed in biblical texts.
The Concept of Servitude and Freedom
In the biblical context, the term “bondmen” refers to individuals who are in a state of servitude, often as a result of debt or other circumstances. This concept highlights the tension between servitude and freedom, illustrating the social and economic structures of ancient societies. The existence of bondmen serves as a reminder of the importance of justice and compassion, as well as the need for systems that promote the dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their status.
Spiritual Implications of Bondage
Beyond the physical aspect of servitude, the term “bondmen” can also be interpreted in a spiritual sense. It symbolizes the state of being bound by sin or spiritual oppression. This broader meaning emphasizes the need for redemption and liberation through faith. The biblical narrative often contrasts the bondage of sin with the freedom found in a relationship with God, suggesting that true liberation comes from spiritual awakening and adherence to divine principles.
Social Justice and Ethical Treatment
The presence of bondmen in biblical texts raises important questions about social justice and the ethical treatment of individuals within society. It calls for a reflection on how societies treat the vulnerable and marginalized. The biblical injunctions regarding the treatment of bondmen advocate for humane treatment, fair wages, and eventual release, underscoring the moral responsibility to care for those in less fortunate circumstances. This theme resonates with contemporary discussions on human rights and social equity.
How to Embrace True Servitude in Christian Faith
Embracing true servitude in your Christian faith is a beautiful journey that invites you to reflect on the heart of Jesus’ teachings. It begins with a humble recognition that serving others is not just an act of kindness, but a profound expression of love and obedience to God. Start by looking for opportunities to serve in your community—whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, helping a neighbor in need, or simply offering a listening ear to someone who is struggling. Remember, servitude is not about grand gestures; it’s often found in the small, everyday acts of love that reflect Christ’s compassion. As you serve, pray for a heart that mirrors His, asking God to help you see others through His eyes. This mindset shift will not only deepen your faith but also enrich your relationships, as you embody the selfless love that Jesus exemplified. Embrace this calling with joy, knowing that in serving others, you are truly serving Him.
Bible References to Bondmen in KJV:
Leviticus 25:39-46: 39 “If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave.
40 They shall be with you as hired workers and sojourners. They shall serve you until the year of the jubilee.
41 then he shall go out from you, he and his children with him, and go back to his own clan and return to the possession of his fathers.
42 For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.
43 You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.
44 As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you.
45 You may also buy from among the strangers who sojourn with you and their clans that are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may be your property.
46 You may bequeath them to your sons after you to inherit as a possession forever. You may make slaves of them, but over your brothers the people of Israel you shall not rule, one over another ruthlessly.
Deuteronomy 15:12-18: 12 If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
13 And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed.
14 You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As the Lord your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.
15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.
16 But if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he is well-off with you,
17 then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same.
18 It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for at half the cost of a hired worker he has served you six years. So the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.
1 Kings 9:20-22: 20 All the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of the people of Israel—
21 Their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel were unable to devote to destruction—these Solomon drafted to be slaves, and so they are to this day.
22 But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves. They were the soldiers, they were his officials, his commanders, his captains, his chariot commanders and his horsemen.
2 Chronicles 8:7-9: 7 All the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel,
8 Their provisions were for all Solomon’s daily rate of 30 cors of fine flour and 60 cors of meal,
9 But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves for his work; they were soldiers, they were his officials, his commanders, his captains, his chariot commanders and his horsemen.
Nehemiah 5:1-13: 1 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers.
2 For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.”
3 There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.”
4 And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards.
5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.
7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them.
8 and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say.
9 So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?
10 I also said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?
11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.”
12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.
13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.
Jeremiah 34:8-17: 8 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to make a proclamation of liberty to them.
9 that everyone should set free his Hebrew slaves, male and female, so that no one should enslave a Jew, his brother.
10 They had set free their male servants and female servants, according to the word of the Lord, and had made a covenant in their presence in the house of the Lord, to set them free.
11 But afterward they turned around and took back the male and female slaves they had set free, and brought them into subjection as slaves.
12 Therefore the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah from the Lord:
13 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I myself made a covenant with your fathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, saying,”
14 ‘At the end of seven years each of you must set free the fellow Hebrew who has been sold to you and has served you six years; you must set him free from your service.’ But your fathers did not listen to me or incline their ears to me.
15 You recently repented and did what was right in my eyes by proclaiming liberty, each to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name,
16 But you recently turned and did what was right in my eyes by proclaiming liberty, each to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name,
17 “Therefore, thus says the Lord: You have not obeyed me by proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother and to his neighbor; behold, I proclaim to you liberty to the sword, to pestilence, and to famine, declares the Lord. I will make you a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.”
Ephesians 6:5-9: 5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,
6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Colossians 3:22-25: 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
1 Timothy 6:1-2: 1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.
Titus 2:9-10: 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
Philemon 1:10-16: 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.
11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart.
13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel,
14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord.
15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever,
16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.