· Translation: KJV

Leviticus 25:42For they are my servants, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt. They shall not be sold as slaves.

The setting

Mount Sinai, Arabian Peninsula, ~1446 BC. Moses receives detailed laws for the new nation, including revolutionary economic justice principles that would prevent permanent poverty.

The emotion here: protective authority establishing boundaries for His people's dignity

The original word

avadim (עֲבָדִים) — servants, not chattel slaves; Israelites serving Israelites temporarily

Why it matters

This law prevented permanent debt slavery among Israelites, unique in the ancient world

Read with care

What most readers miss in Leviticus 25:42

This verse establishes God's exclusive ownership — Israelites can't own other Israelites because GOD owns them

Common misconceptionPeople think this endorses slavery, but it's actually limiting it — preventing Israelites from enslaving each other permanently because they belong to God first

Bible Genome reading

Leviticus 25:42 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerGod
Eraexodus
Primary emotionresting
Literary typelaw
MarkCommand

Emotional genome

Comfort power40%
Quotability70%
Memorability70%
Crisis relevance30%
Standalone60%
Themes:divine ownershipredemptionhuman dignity

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Leviticus 25

Leviticus 25:42 comes from the book of Leviticus, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is resting, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine ownership, redemption, human dignity. Notable phrases: my servants; brought forth out of Egypt; not be sold as slaves. This verse contains a command.

Your reflection

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