The laws concerning Hebrew servants are primarily found in the Old Testament, specifically within the legal codes of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. These laws were given to the Israelites as part of the Mosaic Law and provide guidelines for the treatment and rights of Hebrew servants, reflecting the social and economic structures of ancient Israel.

Exodus 21:1-11

The Book of Exodus provides the foundational laws regarding Hebrew servants. According to Exodus 21:2-6 , "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall go free, without paying anything." This passage establishes the Sabbatical principle, where Hebrew servants were to be released in the seventh year of service, symbolizing a cycle of rest and liberation.

If a servant entered service unmarried, he was to leave unmarried. However, if he was married when he became a servant, his wife was to leave with him. If the master gave him a wife and she bore children, the wife and children would remain with the master unless the servant chose to stay. In such a case, the servant would declare his love for his master and family, and his ear would be pierced as a sign of lifelong service (Exodus 21:5-6).

Leviticus 25:39-55

Leviticus expands on these laws, emphasizing the dignity and rights of Hebrew servants. Leviticus 25:39-40 states, "If your brother among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, you must not force him into slave labor. Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee."

The Year of Jubilee, occurring every 50th year, was a time of release and restoration. Hebrew servants were to be freed, and their ancestral lands were to be returned. This law underscores the temporary nature of servitude and the importance of family and land inheritance in Israelite society.

Deuteronomy 15:12-18

Deuteronomy reiterates and expands upon these laws, emphasizing the ethical treatment of servants. Deuteronomy 15:12-15 instructs, "If a fellow Hebrew, a man or woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you must set him free. And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed."

The passage further commands that the servant be generously provided for upon release, reflecting God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt. This provision serves as a reminder of the Israelites' own experience of liberation and their obligation to treat others with compassion and justice.

Social and Theological Implications

The laws concerning Hebrew servants reflect a balance between economic necessity and ethical treatment. They recognize the reality of poverty and debt while ensuring that servitude does not become a permanent condition. The cyclical release of servants and the Year of Jubilee highlight themes of redemption and restoration, central to the biblical narrative.

These laws also underscore the value of human dignity and the importance of community responsibility. By mandating fair treatment and eventual release, the Mosaic Law seeks to prevent exploitation and promote social equity among the Israelites. The treatment of Hebrew servants serves as a reflection of Israel's covenant relationship with God, who delivered them from bondage and called them to be a holy and just society.