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The first mention in the Bible of slaves (servants in some translations) being used is that of Abraham's army, by which home-born servants he rescued his nephew Lot. ({{bibleverse||Genesis|14:14-16|KJV}})

The first mention in the Bible of slaves (servants in some translations) being used is that of Abraham's army, by which home-born servants he rescued his nephew Lot. ({{bibleverse||Genesis|14:14-16|KJV}})

Later, in Israel's preparation for conquering the Canaanite nations, they were instructed to take as tributary states neighboring cities of enemies which surrendered to them, but which were not part of the Canaanite nations.  If they choose war, the women and children were saved alive and became Israel's. ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|20:10-16|KJV}})  The  women could be taken to be a wife (after a month of mourning), but must go free if later divorced. ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:44-46|KJV}}); {{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|21:10-14|KJV}})  Israel did not go to war with distant nations, and though slaves were often obtained through warfare in the [[ancient near east]], apparently such means were not a significant source for Israel,<ref>Anchor Bible Dictionary, David Noel Freedman (main ed.), DoubleDay:1992</ref> at least after the initial conquering of the land.  

Later, in Israel's preparation for conquering the Canaanite nations, they were instructed to take as tributary states neighboring cities of enemies which surrendered to them, but which were not part of the Canaanite nations.  If they choose war, the women and children were saved alive and became Israel's. ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|20:10-16|KJV}})  The  women could be taken to be a wife (after a month of mourning), but must go free if later divorced. ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:44-46|KJV}}); ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|21:10-14|KJV}})  Israel did not go to war with distant nations, and though slaves were often obtained through warfare in the [[ancient near east]], apparently such means were not a significant source for Israel,<ref>Anchor Bible Dictionary, David Noel Freedman (main ed.), DoubleDay:1992</ref> at least after the initial conquering of the land.  

The main source of slavery was by means of purchase. The prevention of poverty by constant employment seems to have been a priority in ancient Israel. While both Israelites or "a stranger or a sojourner" fell into "decay" were to be relieved by being taken in by those in Israel, ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:35|KJV}}) this also could result in slavery. Israel was instructed that they could buy - including ''from'' foreigners - temporary Israelite slaves who sold themselves into such due to poverty, or were sold. However, Israel could also purchase permanent foreign ones, the latter being from foreign nations or from strangers living among them, and which purchased servants became the property of the owner's posterity as well. ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:44-46|KJV}})  

The main source of slavery was by means of purchase. The prevention of poverty by constant employment seems to have been a priority in ancient Israel. While both Israelites or "a stranger or a sojourner" fell into "decay" were to be relieved by being taken in by those in Israel, ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:35|KJV}}) this also could result in slavery. Israel was instructed that they could buy - including ''from'' foreigners - temporary Israelite slaves who sold themselves into such due to poverty, or were sold. However, Israel could also purchase permanent foreign ones, the latter being from foreign nations or from strangers living among them, and which purchased servants became the property of the owner's posterity as well. ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:44-46|KJV}})