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Should the debt result in debt slavery, the debt slave must be treated
like a hired laborer (Lev. 25:39–40). The Hebrew slave becomes
free in the seventh year, even though the debt has not been repaid.
In addition, Deuteronomy calls for the cancellation of debts every
seventh year, though debts can be collected from foreigners (nokri).7.4.1 General Remission of Debts and Release of Slaves
Edicts effecting release of debts and slaves are well known the ancient
world,^64 and one such edict is recorded in the Bible. In Jeremiah
34:12–16, King Zedekiah made a pact with the people to release
their Hebrew slaves. Jeremiah reports that this was in accord with
the rule of the seventh year, which had been in effect since the
Exodus from Egypt but had not been followed. The people released
their slaves, but they promptly re-enslaved them. Their actions may
have been venal, or they may have been recognition that destitute
people have no choice other than slavery.7.4.1.1 Another such release comes from the restoration period.
After hearing the outcry of the impoverished and enslaved Israelites,
Nehemiah censured the creditors and demanded that the slaves be
released. In addition, Nehemiah demanded that the debtors’ fields
be returned and that the debts be canceled. The creditors agreed
under oath and did so (Neh. 5:6–13).7.4.1.2 Jubilee Year^65
Leviticus calls for a jubilee every fifty years, marked by the blowing
of trumpets on the Day of Atonement. During this year, “liberty”
is proclaimed for all the inhabitants. Slaves are released and return
to their landholdings, which revert to their original owners. The
Jubilee is also observed as a Sabbatical year, without agricultural
activity (Lev. 25:8–13). The dating of this regulation has been the
subject of considerable dispute. The Mesopotamian kings issued edicts
of release, and it is unlikely that kings would give up their prerogative
to do so. Like Deuteronomy’s rules of minimal kingship, the Levitical
concept of the fifty-year Jubilee restricts the role of the monarch,(^64) Chaney, “Debt Easement...”
(^65) North, Sociology.. .; Westbrook, Property and the Family.. ., 36–57; Amit, “The
Jubilee Law...”
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