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Slaves in the Hebrew World
Hebrew laws concerning slaves, the poor and foreigners from Deuteronomy 19: 12-27
You must not allow a man to imprison a slave which has escaped him and come to you. Let him make his home with you; you must not molest him.
If, when reaping the harvest in your field, you overlook a sheath in that field, do not go back for it. The foreigner, the orphan and the widow shall have it, so that YHWH your God shall bless you in your undertakings.
When you beat the olive tree, you must not go over the branches twice. The foreigner, the widow, and the orphan shall have the rest.
When you harvest your vineyard, you must not pick it over a second time. The foreigner, the widow and the orphan shall have the rest.
Remember that you were once a slave in Egypt. That is why I am giving you this order.
When one of your fellow countrymen is reduced to poverty and is unable to hold out beside you, extend to him the privileges of an alien or a tenant, so that he may continue to live with you. Do not exact interest from your countryman ... When, then, your countryman becomes so impoverished beside you that he sells you his services, so not make him work as a slave. Rather, let him be like a hired servant ... Since those whom I brought out of Egypt are servants of mine, they shall not be sold as slaves to any man. (Leviticus 25:35-43)
Compare these laws to the Code of Hammurabi:
If a man has contracted a debt, and has given his wife, his son, his daughter for silver or for labor, three years they shall serve in the house of their purchaser or bondmaster; in the fourth year, they shall regain their original condition.