While these instructions might seem more nuanced when applied to a man who owns only one servant, they still reflect a harsh perspective and echo what was said in the previous passage—a view of social order in which only the masters have rights. At the same time, slaves were almost seen as just another type of working animal. It’s important to emphasize that just because passages like this appear in the Bible, it doesn’t mean they are God’s will; as with every biblical passage, we must interpret and test them against the standards of justice, which are part of God’s divine nature. Surely, God disapproves of this instruction, especially considering that he does not endorse slavery or the domination of some people over others.