A Bible used by British missionaries preaching to enslaved people in the Americas is now on display in Utrecht in the Netherlands. The 1807 Bible leaves out passages critical of enslavement or exalting freedom. It is part of an exhibit on Gospel music at the Museum Catharijneconvent.
Christian Post reports:
According to a museum spokesperson, it was in those locations [where slavery existed] that “Bible texts were used to legitimize slavery and other texts were censored and kept away from the enslaved.”
“However, these measurements did not prevent faith from taking root on the plantations,” the spokesperson added. “The passages about freedom that were omitted turned up in spirituals, the songs of enslaved people in the United States. We are very fortunate and proud that we can show this impressive object in our exhibition.”
Julie Gardham, a senior assistant librarian at the University of Glasgow Library, said the “important and scarce” Bible is part of Scottish philanthropist William Euing’s renowned library and is “one of some 3,000 Bibles that he collected in many different editions and languages.”
While a standard King James Version Bible contains 1,189 chapters, the Slave Bible has only 282, among other differences.
“In omitting all references to freedom, it is a powerful and chilling reminder of how white Christians manipulated and misused even sacred texts to control the enslaved and legitimize slavery,” said Gardham.
That includes the removal of the fifth chapter of Exodus, in which Moses demands Pharaoh set the Israelites free from captivity in Egypt before God makes way for them to leave.
The entire book of Jeremiah — which references “making … people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor” — is also omitted.
Among the removed verses is Exodus 21:16, which reads, “And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.”
Other passages, however, such as Ephesians 6:5, which reads, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ,” are included in the book.
Note: Photo shows the “Slave Bible.”
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