'Slavery' in the Bible

And the Egyptians made the Israelites serve rigorously [forcing them into severe slavery].

Now it happened after a long time [about forty years] that the king of Egypt died. And the children of Israel (Jacob) groaned and sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out. And their cry for help because of their bondage ascended to God.

Her (ceremonial) uncleanness was on her skirts;She did not [seriously] consider her future.Therefore she has come down [from throne to slavery] in an astonishing manner;She has no comforter.“O Lord” [cries Jerusalem], “look at my affliction,For the enemy has magnified himself [in triumph]!”

So that we may buy the poor [as slaves] for silver [since they are unable to support themselves]And the needy for a pair of sandals,And that we may sell the leftovers of the wheat [as if it were a good grade of grain]?”

“The [ten elder] patriarchs, overwhelmed with jealousy, sold [their younger brother] Joseph into [slavery in] Egypt; but God was with him,

We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am a creature of the flesh [worldly, self-reliant—carnal and unspiritual], sold into slavery to sin [and serving under its control].

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!”

Now these facts are about to be used [by me] as an allegory [that is, I will illustrate by using them]: for these women can represent two covenants: one [covenant originated] from Mount Sinai [where the Law was given] that bears children [destined] for slavery; she is Hagar.

It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].