'Rule Over' in the Bible

You are not to rule over them with harshness. You are to fear your God."

You may give them as inherited property to your children after you, to own as properties in perpetuity. You may make bond slaves of them, but no one is to rule over his fellow Israeli with harshness.

Like a hired servant, he is to remain with him year after year, but he is not to rule over him with what you see as severity.