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Indeed. Things can be muddied by the fact that the Hebrew word (E'bed) translated "slave" is also translated "Subordinate" or "Servant." It was used for the attendants of prophets, such as Elisha to Elijah, and attendants were basically prophets-in-training who were expected to become prophets...

To prevent loophole abuse via a woman and her five kids marrying a guy two days before he goes free to get them all free, of course. That's why it's so very narrowly defined. The fact that the wife and kids in that narrow situation remain slaves doesn't really interfere with their lives much...

Slavery in the bible was vastly different from chattel slavery. Slaves had an abundance of rights, were set free every seven years, could not be abused freely, and were typically regarded as "part of the family," so much so that the bible includes a specific ritual required if a slave refuses...