In the days when Israel entered the Promised Land, there was very little free labour as we understand it to-day, and the free-man’s principal method of obtaining a living lay in working his own land or breeding cattle. Most of the menial tasks which to-day are performed by hired labour, were then the duty of slaves who were the personal property of their master. Under God’s Law, however, it was ordained that no Hebrew should enter into slavery; but any man who was unable to earn his own living or pay his debts could sell “his labour” for a strictly limited period.1 This was six years if he worked for a Hebrew; or a longer period, not to exceed forty-eight years, if he worked for a foreigner.2
Although during the period of his servitude his labours were entirely under the control of his master, it was to be clearly recognised that it was his labour only that was sold, and that he was in that sense an “hireling” rather than a slave.3 In accordance with this principle, if the question of redemption arose, his value was not to be reckoned according to his bodily value at purchase or redemption: on the contrary, the price paid was to be be considered as a yearly hire, and the redemption price was proportional to the period of service remaining unfulfilled.4
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Author: R. T. Lovelock
Keywords: hireling, slave, slavery, servitude
Bible reference(s): Lev 25:44-46, Exo 21:2-4, Lev 25:47-55, Lev 25:53, Lev 25:48-52, Job 7:1-2, Job 14:6, Isa 16:14, Isa 21:16
Source: “The Years of a Hireling,” The Testimony, Vol. 9, No. 97, January 1939, pp. 28-9.
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