Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "hand-maiden" referred to a female servant or maidservant, often in the service of a household or a specific individual. The role of hand-maidens is mentioned throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their significance in various narratives and cultural contexts.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Hebrew word often translated as "hand-maiden" is "amah" or "shiphchah," both of which denote a female servant. One of the earliest mentions of a hand-maiden is found in the account of Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. In
Genesis 16:1-2 , Sarah, unable to bear children, gives Hagar to Abraham as a wife to bear a child on her behalf: "Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.'"
Another notable hand-maiden is Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, who bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali, as recorded in
Genesis 30:3-8. Similarly, Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, bore Jacob two sons, Gad and Asher (
Genesis 30:9-13).
The role of hand-maidens extended beyond childbearing. They were integral to the daily operations of a household, performing various tasks and serving their mistresses. In
1 Samuel 25:41 , Abigail, upon being asked to become David's wife, humbly refers to herself as a servant: "She arose, bowed facedown, and said, 'Here is your maidservant, ready to serve you and wash the feet of my lord’s servants.'"
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the Greek term "doule" is used to describe a female servant. The most prominent mention of a hand-maiden is found in the Magnificat, Mary's song of praise, in
Luke 1:46-48 : "Then Mary said: 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.'"
This passage highlights the humility and devotion of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who refers to herself as the Lord's servant, acknowledging her role in God's divine plan.
Cultural and Theological SignificanceHand-maidens in the Bible often symbolize humility, service, and obedience. Their accounts reflect the broader social and familial structures of ancient times, where servitude was a common aspect of life. Despite their lowly status, hand-maidens played crucial roles in the unfolding of biblical history, often being used by God to fulfill His purposes.
Theologically, the concept of servitude as exemplified by hand-maidens is echoed in the Christian call to serve others and submit to God's will. The humility and faithfulness of biblical hand-maidens serve as a model for believers, emphasizing the value of service in the eyes of God.
Library
Chapter xxxiii
... So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the twohandmaidens.... And
thehandmaidens approached"they and their children" and bowed....
Epistle xxv. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari ).
... lest, seeing that this house was adjacent to a monastery ofhand-maidens of God... the
religious lady Pompeiana is desirous of taking away thehandmaidens of God...
Whether Sacred Doctrine is Nobler than Other Sciences?
... On the contrary, Other sciences are called thehandmaidens of this one:
"Wisdom sent her maids to invite to the tower" (Prov.9:3)....
That when David had Conquered the Philistines who Made War against...
... she blame him, that so great a king as he was should dance after an unseemly manner,
and in his dancing, uncover himself among the servants and thehandmaidens...
Acts ii. 14
... "And your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and
on My servants and on Myhandmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit...
The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas.
... And upon my servants and myhandmaidens will I pour out of my Spirit; and your young
men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." [8975] And...
The Nuns of the Primitive Church
... True it is that many of the earliest consecratedhandmaidens of the Church continued
to reside in their city homes, and, in addition to their prayers, devoted...
"The Sun of Righteousness"
... in me; I would sing the sweetest of songs, and compose the most melting music, if
I could, and count art, and wit, and music exalted by beinghandmaidens to him...
And There Was, Besides, a Most Beautiful, Blessed...
... They endure terrors and constant threats, but the Lord has given grace to many of
hishandmaidens, for even though they are forbidden to do so, still they...
Conclusion the Resurrection of the Flesh in Its Absolute Identity...
... God, in His most gracious providence, by "pouring out of His Spirit in these last
days, upon all flesh, upon His servants and on Hishandmaidens," [7761] has...
Thesaurus
Handmaidens (3 Occurrences)...Handmaidens (3 Occurrences). Acts 2:18 Yes, and on my servants and on my
handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
...Hand-maidens (1 Occurrence)
Hand-maidens.Handmaidens,Hand-maidens. Handmaids . Multi-Version Concordance...
Handmaidens,Hand-maidens. Handmaids . Reference Bible.
Girls (27 Occurrences)
... your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken
kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of yourhandmaidens." (See NIV)....
Friendly (17 Occurrences)
... sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly
unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thinehandmaidens...
Maidservants (28 Occurrences)
... my LORD; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken to the heart
of thy handmaid, though I be not as one of thyhandmaidens.' (See NAS RSV)....
Prophesy (96 Occurrences)
... NIV). Acts 2:18 Yes, and on my servants and on myhandmaidens in those days,
I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. (WEB...
Pour (137 Occurrences)
... NIV). Acts 2:18 Yes, and on my servants and on myhandmaidens in those days,
I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. (WEB...
Bondslaves (3 Occurrences)
... Bondslaves (3 Occurrences). Acts 2:18 Yes, and on my servants and on myhandmaidens
in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. (See NAS)....
Comforted (56 Occurrences)
... your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken
kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of yourhandmaidens." (WEB KJV...
Yea (867 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY). Acts 2:18 Yea and on my servants and on myhandmaidens in those days
Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. (ASV DBY RSV)....
Resources
What should we learn from the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31? | GotQuestions.orgIs God evil? Is the Bible evil? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that we should not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3 4)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
