LEV1093 (Continued from [[LEV1093]] Leviticus 25:45 property OXFORD 47). Leviticus explains Israel's immunity from slavery with their status as God's slaves (v. 42), by which they may not be enslaved by others, Israelite or stranger. With regard to non-Israelites, conversely, "it is from the nations round about you that you may acquire male and female slaves" [this verse]. Thus, non-Israelites (including the ger) may be kept as chattel slaves and be passed down within the family as property [this verse]. Israel was therefore no exception to the widespread practice of slavery in the ancient Near East, as the circumstances that generated enslavement were found throughout the region: war, self-sale and the sale of minors due to hunger or death, and a heavy penalty for theft. Israelite legislation attempted to ameliorate the circumstances of the non-Israelite chattel slave, who is given rest on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10, 23:12) and is mentioned as participating in family religious festivals (Exodus 12:44; Deuteronomy 12:12, 18; 16:11, 14). He was offered some protection from his owner's use of excessive force (Exodus 21:20-21, 26-27), and those slaves who had run away from their masters were granted asylum (Deuteronomy 23:16, but see 1 Kings 2:39-40). Thus, while biblical Israel accepted, with some modifications, the ancient Near Eastern practice of chattel slavery, regarding those of non-Israelite origins, circumstances for the Israelites sold into bondage because of debt or theft seem to have been significantly improved (but see Jeremiah 34). (By Elaine Adler Goodfriend, “Ethical Theory and Practice in the Hebrew Bible)