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Israelites are prohibited from charging interest on loans made to the poor among them or making a profit on the sale of goods to the unfortunate. Rather, Israelites are to lend a hand to those who are unable to support themselves. The compelling reason for extending aid to the poor is God’s graciousness shown to Israel when he brought the people out of Egypt and gave them the land of Canaan (v.38).
Israelites are forbidden to make slaves of their fellow countrymen. Provision is made here for poor people to sell themselves into servitude, but they are to be treated as hired hands and not as slaves. The reason is that the Israelites are God’s servants; therefore they may not be enslaved (v.42). Those who are sold as hired servants are to be liberated in the Year of Jubilee (cf. Dt 15:12-18).
While fellow Israelites may not be enslaved, foreigners may be bought as slaves. Also, aliens living among the Israelites may be placed in slavery (vv.44-46).
There is provision for the redemption of an Israelite who has sold himself to an alien living among Israelites. Such a hired Israelite servant may repurchase his freedom if he is able, or his freedom may be repurchased at any time by his kinsman. The repurchase price depends on the number of years to the next jubilee, when he will become free automatically (vv.47-55). These laws regarding Israelite slaves are based on the fact that all Israelites are God’s servants whom he has redeemed from Egyptian bondage.