The Role Of Slavery In The Selling Of Joseph By Samuel Sewall

In the nineteenth century, the role that slaves played in society was characterized as being obedient to their master, restricted to converse, and denied rights. Slaves were bought for many different reasons. Owning slaves was an indication of wealth and power. All slaves were given different instructions and domestic jobs to do based on their ability to work. They were either traded and expected to perform labor and sexual favors to their master’s command. Without any doubt, slavery is one of mankind’s worst involvement. Even before the nineteenth century, the practice of slavery was acceptable ordinarily common in the Roman Empire and small kingdoms scattered across Asia. In the reading of, “The Selling of Joseph” by Samuel Sewall, was written …show more content…
Samuel, on the other hand, was a judge during the Salem Witch Trials who later apologized for the trials in public. Although it may be true, Samuel Sewall’s argument against slavery corresponds to a familiar story of “Joseph Sold by His Brothers” in Genesis 37:12 - 36 (New International Version Bible). Religion was used a lot of times to show the crime of slavery and slave trade. The opening line of “The Selling of Joseph” says “FOR AS MUCH as Liberty is in real value next unto Life: None ought to part with it themselves, or deprive other of it, but upon most mature Consideration” (pg.221). Sewall states that there must be a mature manner of thinking. Sewall goes on to point out the immoral nature act of slavery. One catchy line is “So that Originally, and Naturally, there is no such thing as Slavery” (pg.221). This line is referring to the origins and nature outlined in the Bible. There has been many accounts of slavery and slave trade seen in Biblical times. From the Israelites being captive in Egypt to Joseph being sold by his brothers, the contrast between Sewall’s protest against correlates. Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son, whom he trusted so dearly that his brothers became entirely jealous and disgusted because of his dream and fancy coat given to him. His brother’s later discuss whether they should kill or thrown him into a pit. As the brothers are eating and see a group of Ishmaelite businessmen traveling from Gilead to Egypt, they decide to sell Joseph for twenty shekels of silver as a slave to Egypt. This goes to show in a part of “The Selling of Joseph”, Sewall uses biblical passages to support his statement against slavery. “Joseph was rightfully no more a Slave to his Brethren, than they were to him: and they had no more Authority to Sell him, than they had to Slay him” (pg.221). To Sewall, in the same that selling a person into slavery is just as