The law of Moses pointed out the cases in which the servants of the Hebrews were to receive their freedom ( Exodus 21:2-4 Exodus 21:7 Exodus 21:8 ; Leviticus 25:39-42 Leviticus 25:47-55 ; Deuteronomy 15:12-18 ). Under the Roman law the "freeman" (ingenuus) was one born free; the "freedman" (libertinus) was a manumitted slave, and had not equal rights with the freeman ( Acts 22:28 ; Compare Acts 16:37-39 ; 21:39 ; 22:25 ; Acts 25:11 Acts 25:12 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.