Is it permissible to beat slaves?

1. Introduction to the Topic

Throughout history, the question of slavery has sparked debate and concern. Today, many readers approach biblical passages on slavery with modern lenses shaped by past abuses, especially the transatlantic slave trade. In the biblical era, slavery functioned differently from many later systems. Yet, a recurring question arises from certain Old Testament passages: “Is it permissible to beat slaves?”

This entry seeks to examine relevant biblical texts, clarify original contexts, and provide a broader theological framework. All Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible.

2. Definitions and Cultural Background

2.1. Old Testament Terms

The Hebrew term often rendered “slave” can also be translated as “servant” or “bondservant,” reflecting a system more akin to indentured servitude. In many instances, individuals voluntarily entered servanthood to pay off debts or secure a livelihood (cf. Deuteronomy 15:12). This differs significantly from the race-based chattel slavery known in more recent history.

2.2. Old Covenant Societal Setting

In the Ancient Near East, servanthood was common. The Mosaic Law sought to protect vulnerable individuals, including servants, by imposing regulations on owners. These regulations do not necessarily endorse harsh treatment; rather, they define boundaries within an imperfect cultural framework, just as modern laws regulate certain realities without inherently approving them.

3. Old Testament Passages and the Question of Beating

3.1. Exodus 21:20–21 Citation

The central passage often cited is Exodus 21:20–21, which states:

“When a man strikes his servant or maidservant with a rod and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished. However, if the servant gets up after a day or two, the owner shall not be punished; for the servant is his property.” (Exodus 21:20–21)

At first glance, this appears to condone beating. However, deeper examination is essential:

1. Punishment for Causing Death: The text explicitly states that if the servant dies from the beating, the owner must be punished. This was countercultural, as many nations in the region allowed owners total control without legal repercussions for killing a slave. Here, Scripture limits an owner’s authority and ensures accountability for the servant’s life.

2. Ancient Societal Context: The phrase “for the servant is his property” (Exodus 21:21) references the unique economic bond in which the owner had a vested interest in the wellbeing of the servant. While the language grates on modern ears, a literal approach shows a context wherein the survival and dignity of the servant mattered because of specific laws. It also reveals that society then had not yet reached the ideal of full abolition, but the Law introduced protective measures within that cultural milieu.

3. Legal Protections Elsewhere: Exodus 21 must be read alongside other laws: if a master permanently injured a servant by causing the loss of a tooth or eye, that servant was to be set free (Exodus 21:26–27). This signified the high value placed on bodily integrity—a principle that would undermine abusive practices.

4. Additional Old Testament References

4.1. Deuteronomy 15:12–15

This passage commands that when Hebrew servants were released after six years of service, they should not be sent away empty-handed but provided for generously:

“If your brother, a Hebrew 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. You are to furnish him liberally…” (Deuteronomy 15:12–14)

These instructions both dignify the servant and demonstrate God’s concern for fair treatment and provision.

4.2. Leviticus 25:39–43

This section highlights that the Israelites were not to treat fellow Israelites harshly as slaves but as hired workers. While it includes provisions for foreign bondservants continuing longer, its overall thrust points toward regulated treatment to avoid brutality.

5. New Testament Perspectives

5.1. Loving Neighbor as Self

Under the New Covenant, Jesus teaches believers to embrace the overarching commandment:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ … ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37, 39)

Beating anyone under one’s authority clearly violates the principle of love, which is central to the ethical teaching of Jesus. This framework drives believers to treat all people, including those under service, with dignity and compassion.

5.2. Instructions to Masters

The Apostle Paul instructs believers in Ephesians 6:9:

“And masters, do the same for them. Do not threaten them, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.” (Ephesians 6:9)

Paul addressed an institution embedded in Greco-Roman society. He did not outright overthrow systems (which were deeply ingrained) but radically transformed them from within. By urging masters to avoid threats and remember God’s impartial judgment, Paul undermined cruel practices.

Colossians 4:1 echoes similar sentiments:

“Masters, supply your servants with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 4:1)

5.3. Transforming the Social Order

The epistle to Philemon reveals a personal glimpse of how the early church worked to transform individuals’ hearts, leading to more equitable relationships. Though not calling for open revolt, the spirit of the gospel set in motion principles that eventually led Christians to advocate for the abolition of slavery in later centuries.

6. Theological and Ethical Considerations

6.1. Protection of the Vulnerable

Scripture consistently calls for the protection of those in vulnerable positions. Even within a less-than-ideal institution, biblical laws constrained abuse. The principle of Imago Dei—humans made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27)—elevates every person, making unjust violence an affront to the Creator.

6.2. Progressive Revelation

Biblical instructions regarding slavery reflect society’s realities at various historical stages. This does not imply a divine endorsement of oppressive systems; rather, it reveals that God works through human social complexities, pointing forward to a moral ideal shaped by love of neighbor and final liberation in Christ.

6.3. Applicational Principle Today

Given the New Testament’s clear directives toward kindness, fairness, and remembering that all are equal before God, it would be out of line with the gospel to argue that beating or physically harming a person is permissible. Modern believers see no justification for violence in a master-servant relationship, nor for slavery itself, when the ethic of the New Covenant is properly understood and applied.

7. Is It Permissible to Beat Slaves? A Direct Answer

No. When the broader biblical narrative is considered—especially the call to love one another (John 13:34) and treat others as we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12)—the spirit of Scripture does not condone violence toward those under one’s care. While Old Testament laws regulated practices in a specific historical context to protect servants, the text never suggests the moral good of beating. Instead, it sets boundaries that were far more humane than the surrounding cultures of the age, punishing owners who killed their servants or mutilated them.

Under the New Covenant, principles of showing love, avoiding threats, and rendering service with integrity demonstrate that mistreatment of a servant (or any person) is inconsistent with God’s revealed character. Hence, beating or abusing another human being cannot be defended from a biblical standpoint.

8. Conclusion

The question “Is it permissible to beat slaves?” touches on complex ancient norms. However, the overarching message of both Old and New Testaments directs believers away from violence toward compassion, protection, and freedom.

Laws in the Old Testament provided restrictions to mitigate severity; under the New Testament, the gospel message transcends cultural and social divisions. Any form of brutality goes against biblical teaching and the command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

In every era, Scripture’s consistent theme elevates humane treatment grounded in the recognition that all people are created in the image of God. Consequently, no biblical mandate permits beating another person as a valid or righteous practice.