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(hand-)bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant)
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Boyd’s Bible Dictionary
:
(server). In a broad
Bible
sense, subject, assistant, person under
tribute
; in special sense, bondman or slave, by right of purchase,
pledge
for indebtedness, or indenture; which relationship was carefully guarded by Mosaic
law
(
Lev. 25:39-55
39
And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:
40
But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubilee:
41
And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return.
42
For they are my servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bondmen.
43
Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor; but shalt fear thy God.
44
Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.
45
Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession.
46
And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigor.
47
And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family:
48
After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:
49
Either his uncle, or his uncle's son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself.
50
And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubilee: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him.
51
If there be yet many years behind, according unto them he shall give again the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for.
52
And if there remain but few years unto the year of jubilee, then he shall count with him, and according unto his years shall he give him again the price of his redemption.
53
And as a yearly hired servant shall he be with him: and the other shall not rule with rigor over him in thy sight.
54
And if he be not redeemed in these years, then he shall go out in the year of jubilee, both he, and his children with him.
55
For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 25:39‑55)
;
Deut. 15:12-18
12
And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.
13
And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
14
Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.
15
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
16
And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;
17
Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
18
It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest. (Deuteronomy 15:12‑18)
). [SLAVE.]
“Servant” From
Concise Bible Dictionary
:
1.
The words
ebed
and
δοῦλος
(those most commonly used for “servant”) convey the idea of bondmen or
slaves
. Some were bought with
money
and some were taken in war (compare
Ex. 22:3
3
If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. (Exodus 22:3)
). Such a servant, if circumcised, might among the Israelites eat of
the Passover
—as bought he belonged to the family; but a
hired servant
might not (
Ex. 12:44-45
44
But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
45
A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. (Exodus 12:44‑45)
; compare
Lev. 22:11
11
But if the priest buy any soul with his money, he shall eat of it, and he that is born in his house: they shall eat of his meat. (Leviticus 22:11)
). (So
Gentiles
, though aliens, bought with the
blood
of Christ, have all the privilege of
grace
.)
Children
born of these would also be the property of the
master
(
Ex. 21:4
4
If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. (Exodus 21:4)
). This form of servitude, though a result of
sin
, was recognized by the Mosaic
law
, and rules were given respecting it, and for the protection of the slaves.
In the
New
Testament
Paul
sent back
Onesimus
, a runaway slave, to his master, who was a
Christian
, and did not demand his liberation; but he beautifully puts before Philemon that he should possess Onesimus no longer as a slave, but as a
brother
beloved. The effects of sin were in
the world
, and
God
did not introduce Christianity in order to set the world right; but, while shedding
light
upon everything, and proclaiming grace to all, God’s purpose was “to take out of the nations a people for His name.” Christianity inculcated equal treatment of slaves, as we see in several of the
epistles
in which masters are addressed: men-stealers are condemned (
1 Tim. 1:10
10
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:10)
).
Christian bondservants are declared to be the
Lord
’s “freemen” (
1 Cor. 7:22
22
For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. (1 Corinthians 7:22)
), and words of encouragement are addressed to them.
Paul, James,
Peter
, and
Jude
all call themselves “bondmen of the Lord,” and Christians generally are thus designated. The Lord Himself said, “I am among you as he that serveth” (
Luke 22:27
27
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. (Luke 22:27)
); and now in
heaven
He serves His own as Intercessor and Advocate. He speaks also of a future
day
when He will gird Himself, make His servants sit down, and will come forth and serve them, thus being a
minister
to servants! (
Luke 12:37
37
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:37)
).
2.
παῖς
, “a child,” irrespective of
age
, and hence used for servant (
Matt. 8:6,8,13
6
And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. (Matthew 8:6)
8
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. (Matthew 8:8)
13
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (Matthew 8:13)
;
Matt. 14:2
2
And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him. (Matthew 14:2)
;
Luke 7:7
7
Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. (Luke 7:7)
;
Luke 12:45
45
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; (Luke 12:45)
;
Luke 15:26
26
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. (Luke 15:26)
;
Acts 4:25
25
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? (Acts 4:25)
).
The word
is applied to Christ (
Matt. 12:18
18
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18)
;
Acts 3:13, 26
13
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. (Acts 3:13)
26
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:26)
—translated “
Son
;”
Acts 4:27, 30
27
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, (Acts 4:27)
30
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. (Acts 4:30)
—translated “child;” and to
Israel
and to
David
in
Luke 1:54,69
54
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; (Luke 1:54)
69
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; (Luke 1:69)
.
3.
οἰκέτης
“
household
servant” (
Luke 16:13
13
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Luke 16:13)
;
Acts 10:7
7
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; (Acts 10:7)
;
Rom. 14:4
4
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (Romans 14:4)
;
1 Pet. 2:18
18
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (1 Peter 2:18)
).
4.
ὑπηάτης
, “one under
authority
,” an official servant (
Matt. 26:58
58
But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. (Matthew 26:58)
;
Mark 14:54,65
54
And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. (Mark 14:54)
65
And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. (Mark 14:65)
;
John 18:36
36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)
). Also translated “minister” and “
officer
.”
5.
θεράπων
, “retainer, servant” (
Heb. 3:5
5
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; (Hebrews 3:5)
).
6.
μισθωτός
,
μίσθιος
, “hired servant” (
Mark 1:20
20
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him. (Mark 1:20)
;
Luke 15:17,19
17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (Luke 15:17)
19
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (Luke 15:19)
; compare Matt. 20). The word is translated “
hireling
” in
John 10:12-13
12
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. (John 10:12‑13)
. See
DEACON
, and SLAVE.
“Handmaid, Handmaiden” From
Concise Bible Dictionary
:
These words often refer in
scripture
to a female slave, as applied to
Hagar
the Egyptian (
Gen. 25:12
12
Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham: (Genesis 25:12)
); but were also used by women themselves as a term of humility, as when
Hannah
spake to
Jehovah
and to
Eli
(
1 Sam. 1:11,16,18
11
And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. (1 Samuel 1:11)
16
Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. (1 Samuel 1:16)
18
And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. (1 Samuel 1:18)
); as
Abigail
to
David
(
1 Sam. 25:24-41
24
And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.
25
Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
26
Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
27
And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord.
28
I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.
29
Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the Lord thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling.
30
And it shall come to pass, when the Lord shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;
31
That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the Lord shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.
32
And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:
33
And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
34
For in very deed, as the Lord God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
35
So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
36
And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
37
But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
38
And it came to pass about ten days after, that the Lord smote Nabal, that he died.
39
And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the Lord, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the Lord hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.
40
And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife.
41
And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. (1 Samuel 25:24‑41)
); and by
Mary
and Elizabeth as handmaids of the
Lord
(
Luke 1:38, 48
38
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38)
48
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. (Luke 1:48)
).
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Number:
519
(
find all occurrences in KJV Bible
)
Transliteration:
’amah
Phonic:
aw-maw’
Meaning:
apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or female slave
KJV Usage:
(hand-)bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant)
Call: 1-630-543-1441
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, … rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
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