Leviticus 25:42
New International Version
Because the Israelites are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt, they must not be sold as slaves.

New Living Translation
The people of Israel are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, so they must never be sold as slaves.

English Standard Version
For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.

Berean Standard Bible
Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves.

King James Bible
For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.

New King James Version
For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.

New American Standard Bible
For they are My servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt; they are not to be sold in a slave sale.

NASB 1995
For they are My servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt; they are not to be sold in a slave sale.

NASB 1977
‘For they are My servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt; they are not to be sold in a slave sale.

Legacy Standard Bible
For they are My slaves whom I brought out from the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold in a slave sale.

Amplified Bible
For the Israelites are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold in a slave sale.

Christian Standard Bible
They are not to be sold as slaves, because they are my servants that I brought out of the land of Egypt.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They are not to be sold as slaves, because they are My slaves that I brought out of the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version
For they are my servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.

Contemporary English Version
I brought them out of Egypt to be my servants, not to be sold as slaves.

English Revised Version
For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They are my servants. I brought them out of Egypt. They must never be sold as slaves.

Good News Translation
The people of Israel are the LORD's slaves, and he brought them out of Egypt; they must not be sold into slavery.

International Standard Version
Since they're my servants whom I've brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves.

Majority Standard Bible
Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves.

NET Bible
Since they are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt, they must not be sold in a slave sale.

New Heart English Bible
For they are my servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt. They shall not be sold as slaves.

Webster's Bible Translation
For they are my servants, which I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as bond-men.

World English Bible
For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. They shall not be sold as slaves.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For they [are] My servants, whom I have brought out from the land of Egypt: they are not sold [with] the sale of a servant;

Young's Literal Translation
For they are My servants, whom I have brought out from the land of Egypt: they are not sold with the sale of a servant;

Smith's Literal Translation
For they are my servants whom I brought them out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold from the sale of a servant.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For they are my servants, and I brought them out of the land of Egypt: let them not be sold as bondmen:

Catholic Public Domain Version
For these are my servants, and I led them away from the land of Egypt; let them not be sold into the condition of servitude.

New American Bible
Since they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they shall not sell themselves as slaves are sold.

New Revised Standard Version
For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves are sold.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as bondmen.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because they are my Servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold with the price of a Servant.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For they are My servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as bondmen.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Because these are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; such an one shall not be sold as a common servant.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Redemption of Bondmen
41Then he and his children are to be released, and he may return to his clan and to the property of his fathers. 42Because the Israelites are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves. 43You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God.…

Cross References
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. / If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. / If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free. ...

Deuteronomy 15:12-15
If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a 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. / You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. ...

1 Corinthians 7:22-23
For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. / You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

Galatians 4:7
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.

Romans 6:18-22
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. / I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. / For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness. ...

1 Peter 2:16
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

John 8:34-36
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. / A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. / So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Ephesians 6:5-9
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ...

Colossians 3:22-24
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. / Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Philemon 1:15-16
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.

1 Timothy 6:1-2
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Jeremiah 34:13-14
“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I made a covenant with your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, saying: / Every seventh year, each of you must free his Hebrew brother who has sold himself to you. He may serve you six years, but then you must let him go free. But your fathers did not listen or incline their ear.


Treasury of Scripture

For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as slaves.

my servants

Leviticus 25:55
For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Romans 6:22
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

1 Corinthians 7:21-23
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather…

Jump to Previous
Bondmen Bond-Men Egypt Forth Israelites Property Sale Sell Servant Slave Slaves Sold
Jump to Next
Bondmen Bond-Men Egypt Forth Israelites Property Sale Sell Servant Slave Slaves Sold
Leviticus 25
1. the Sabbath of the seventh year
8. The jubilee in the fiftieth year
14. Of oppression
18. A blessing of obedience
23. The redemption of land
29. Of houses
35. Compassion to the poor
39. The usage of bondmen
47. The redemption of servants














Because the Israelites are My servants
This phrase establishes a foundational identity for the Israelites as belonging to God. The Hebrew word for "servants" here is "עֲבָדַי" (avaday), which implies a relationship of service and devotion. In the ancient Near Eastern context, being a servant of a deity was a position of honor and responsibility. This phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God is the sovereign Lord, and the Israelites are His chosen people, set apart for His purposes. This identity as God's servants is central to their national and spiritual identity, reminding them of their unique calling and the divine authority they are under.

whom I brought out of the land of Egypt
This phrase recalls the historical and miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, an event that is central to their identity and faith. The Hebrew verb "הוֹצֵאתִי" (hotzeiti) means "I brought out," emphasizing God's active role in their liberation. This act of deliverance is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, serving as a constant reminder of God's power, faithfulness, and love. It is a call to remember their past bondage and the freedom they now enjoy, which was granted by God's grace and intervention. This historical context reinforces their obligation to live according to God's laws and to treat others with justice and compassion.

they are not to be sold as slaves
This commandment reflects God's desire for His people to live in freedom and dignity. The Hebrew word for "sold" is "יִמָּכְרוּ" (yimmakru), which implies a transaction or exchange. By prohibiting the sale of Israelites as slaves, God is ensuring that His people do not return to a state of bondage similar to what they experienced in Egypt. This directive is part of the larger Jubilee laws, which promote social justice, economic equality, and the restoration of community relationships. It highlights the value God places on human life and freedom, and it calls the Israelites to reflect God's character in their treatment of one another. This principle is a powerful reminder of the inherent worth and dignity of every individual as created in the image of God.

(42) For they are my servants.--This is a clue to the whole system of Hebrew servitude. These poverty-stricken men, who are driven to sell themselves to their fellow-Israelites, God claims as His servants. God is their Lord as well as their master's Lord. He delivered them both alike from bondage to serve Him. There is, therefore, no difference between bond and free.

They shall not be sold as bondmen--That is, as personal property or chattels. The authorities during the second Temple, however, interpreted this clause to mean that an Israelite is not to be sold by proclamation or in public places, but privately, and in an honourable manner, with all possible consideration for his feelings.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Because
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[the Israelites are]
הֵ֔ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

My servants,
עֲבָדַ֣י (‘ă·ḇā·ḏay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

whom
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I brought out
הוֹצֵ֥אתִי (hō·w·ṣê·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

of Egypt,
מִצְרָ֑יִם (miṣ·rā·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

they are not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to be sold
יִמָּכְר֖וּ (yim·mā·ḵə·rū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4376: To sell

as slaves.
עָֽבֶד׃ (‘ā·ḇeḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant


Links
Leviticus 25:42 NIV
Leviticus 25:42 NLT
Leviticus 25:42 ESV
Leviticus 25:42 NASB
Leviticus 25:42 KJV

Leviticus 25:42 BibleApps.com
Leviticus 25:42 Biblia Paralela
Leviticus 25:42 Chinese Bible
Leviticus 25:42 French Bible
Leviticus 25:42 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Leviticus 25:42 For they are my servants whom (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 25:41
Top of Page
Top of Page