Today In Black History
The Slave Bible
Issue #501 Today In Black History, Thursday, February 15, 2024
Today’s Black History WOW!
The Slave Bible was a heavily edited version of the Bible that was specifically tailored to suit the needs of slave owners and perpetuate the institution of slavery. First published in 1807, it was a tool used by European colonizers to justify their actions and control the enslaved African population, particularly in what is now known as the Caribbean Islands and later, the Southern States of America.
It was produced in England in the early 19th century for use in the British West Indies. It had all "references to freedom and escape from slavery" excised, while passages encouraging obedience and submission were emphasized. These references emphasizing loyalty and submission to the slave master were instructions handed down by Beilby Porteus (then Bishop of London), who stated: “…prepare a short form of public prayer, together with select portions of scripture particularly those which relate of the slave duties toward the master."
This edited version of the Bible was intentionally designed to omit any passages that could potentially inspire rebellion or encourage enslaved individuals to seek their freedom. According to historical accounts, about 90% of the Old Testament was removed, and large portions of the New Testament were also left out. The passages that were chosen to be included were carefully selected to emphasize obedience, submission, and contentment in one's current circumstances.
Among the excluded passages was Galatians 3:28 which states: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus". Exodus 21:16 and Deuteronomy 23:16-17 were also removed.
The publishers of the slave bible thought these sections, such as the Exodus, the Book of Psalms, and the Book of Revelation, "could instill in slaves a dangerous hope for freedom and dreams of equality." Passages like Ephesians 6:5, "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ," were retained.
Enslaved individuals were forced to attend religious services where they were taught this distorted version of the Bible. They were told that their enslavement was part of God's plan and that it was their duty to serve their masters without question.
By removing passages that spoke of liberation, freedom, and equality, the Slave Bible effectively stripped enslaved individuals of any hope or inspiration for change. It reinforced the notion that their status as slaves was both normal and ordained by a higher power.
Three copies of this bible still exist and one copy is owned by Fisk University. It was printed by Law and Gilbert of London, for the Society for the Conversion of Negro Slaves.
Today In Black History
- In 1804, the New Jersey Legislature approved a law calling for the “gradual” emancipation of African Americans, becoming the last Northern state to outlaw slavery.
- In 1848, Benjamin Roberts filed a lawsuit against the city of Boston on behalf of his 5-year-old daughter, Sarah, who was refused admission to the white school in her neighborhood. One of the first Black lawyers in America, Robert Morris, and Charles Sumner, who would later become a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts argued the case all the way to the Massachusetts Supreme Court, which ruled against Sarah Roberts. In 1855, the Massachusetts legislature became the first in America to ban racially segregated schools, and the 1848-1849 Roberts case is acknowledged as the first legal action against segregated schools in the United States.
- In 1869, charges of treason were dropped against former Conferate President Jefferson Davis.
- In 1898, Black inventor R. Hearness received a patent for the sealing attachment for bottles.
- In 1968, Henry Lewis becomes the first African American to lead a symphony orchestra in the United States.
- In 2011, poet, author, and activist Dr. Maya Angelou was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
- In 2021, Nigerian Ngozi Okonjo-Iwelala became the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization.
- In 2023, Payton Gendron was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to ten counts of first-degree murder and one count of domestic terrorism for his shooting of ten Black people at a Buffalo, New York grocery store.
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