Kidnapping (manstealing)
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The crime of manstealing, or kidnapping for enslavement, is explicitly prohibited in Hebrew law and carries the penalty of death. This prohibition appears in the Old Testament legal corpus and is referenced in the New Testament epistles.
What is the meaning of Kidnapping (manstealing) in the Bible?
The crime of manstealing, or kidnapping for enslavement, is explicitly prohibited in Hebrew law and carries the penalty of death. This prohibition appears in the Old Testament legal corpus and is referenced in the New Testament epistles.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this prohibition clarifies the biblical stance on human rights and the sanctity of personal liberty, distinguishing Israelite law from surrounding cultures that normalized slavery through capture.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Kidnapping (manstealing) in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Kidnapping (manstealing) clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.