Safety net Quote by John E. Goldingay
““Although the First Testament talks about slavery, Middle Eastern slavery was not an inherently oppressive institution like the European slavery accepted under the Roman Empire and then accepted by Britain and the United States. It would be better to call Middle Eastern slavery “servitude,” a servitude that could provide people who become impoverished with an economic safety net. The Torah accepts such servitude but places constraints on it, such as limiting its length to seven years and requiring that a servant be treated as a member of the family.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The New Testament and Its World, John E. Goldingay, 2015
Middle Eastern slavery differed from European chattel slavery, serving as a regulated servitude with protections, unlike the oppressive systems later adopted.
In simple terms: Servitude with limits vs. oppressive slavery.
Key Takeaway
Recognize historical nuance.
Themes
history
justice
ethics
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- policy analysis
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
social structures
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance historical context with modern values?
- What lessons can inform current labor practices?
A Different Perspective
Modern parallels can oversimplify complex histories.
![“Modern slavery - be it bonded labor, involuntary servitude, or sexual slavery - is a crime and cannot be tolerated in any culture, community, or country ... [It] is an affront to our values and our commitment to human rights.” quote by Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c0/hillary-clinton-51_affront_modern-slavery-be-it-bonded-labor-involu_2572951.jpg)
