Exegetical Brief: Distinction In Terms—The Slave Trade In Imperial Rome

Abstract

After reviewing the New Testament references to slavery, Professor Geiger examines the use of the word ἀνδραποδισταῖς which is commonly translated as “slave dealer.” Through use of contemporary sources such as Philo, he contends that ἀνδραποδισταῖς is best understood as the stealing or kidnapping of free people in order to unlawfully sell them into slavery.