1. Leviticus 25:46 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What was the duration of slavery for non-Hebrews?

Leviticus 25:46 (ESV)

46 You may bequeath them to your sons after you to inherit as a possession forever. You may make slaves of them, but over your brothers the people of Israel you shall not rule, one over another ruthlessly.

The enslavement of pagans may be permanent. The Hebrew word possession (’ǎḥǔzzāh) is normally used to refer to the land that is held in perpetuity. On this occasion, the term is used to refer to slaves in the same sense. In other words, foreign slaves do not benefit from the Jubilee.