“The word of Yahweh
Came to Jeremiah
From Yahweh.
‘Thus says Yahweh!
The God of Israel!
I myself
Made a covenant
With your ancestors
When I brought them
Out of the land of Egypt,
Out of the house of slavery,
Saying.
‘Every seventh year,
Each of you
Must set free
Any Hebrews
Who has been sold to you.
If they served you six years,
You must set them free
From your service.’
But your ancestors
Did not listen to me.
They did not incline
Their ears to me.’”
Once again the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, but this time it was to present Yahweh’s views on slavery. Yahweh had already made a covenant with their ancestors on this subject when he brought them out of slavery in Egypt. Yahweh’s commandment was to have only 6 years of slavery. Any purchased Hebrew slave should be let go on the 7th year. Like much else, their ancestors did not listen to Yahweh and his commands. Instead, they did what they wanted to do.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 