Emancipating the Slaves/2
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Emancipating the Slaves
Exegetical Approaches
Political and Economic Considerations
Tzidkeyahu's decision to free the slaves stemmed from political and economic considerations rather than religious ones.
Historical background – These sources posit that the emancipation of the slaves took place while the nation was under siege by the Babylonians, in the tenth year of Tzidkeyahu's reign.2
"לִקְרֹא לָהֶם דְּרוֹר" - who was freed? Malbim suggests that the people made a covenant not only to free their slaves (לְשַׁלַּח אִישׁ אֶת עַבְדּוֹ וְאִישׁ אֶת שִׁפְחָתוֹ) but also to never enslave each other in the future (לְבִלְתִּי עֲבׇד בָּם עוֹד).
The political-economic incentive – These sources point to two distinct, but related incentives that led the people to free their slaves:
- Political - Malbim suggests that, during the siege, the king feared that the slaves might rebel and side with Nevuchadnezzer in order to free themselves of the yoke of debt3 and bondage. Shadal alternatively brings an opinion that Tzidkeyahu freed the slaves since slaves are not particularly motivated to fight their enemies, while a free man will risk much to guard his freedom.
- Economic - During the siege, the slaves were a burden on their owners who had to house and feed them yet received almost no utility in return, as the fields which they normally worked lay out side the city, and were inaccessible due to the siege.
Why did they re-enslave them? Yirmeyahu 37:5-8
Religious Motives
Tzidkeyahu's emancipation of the slaves stemmed from religious motives and a (temporary) desire to abide by the Torah's laws.
Sources:Prof. Y. Elitzur
