Topical Encyclopedia
The term "bond-man" in the Bible refers to a male slave or servant who is bound to serve his master. This concept is deeply rooted in the socio-economic and cultural contexts of ancient Near Eastern societies, including those depicted in the biblical narrative. The Hebrew word often translated as "bond-man" is עֶבֶד (eved), while the Greek equivalent in the New Testament is δοῦλος (doulos).
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the institution of servitude is addressed within the legal and ethical framework of Israelite society. The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations concerning the treatment of bond-men. For instance,
Exodus 21:2-6 outlines the conditions under which a Hebrew man might become a bond-man and the terms of his release: "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall go free, without paying anything" . This passage highlights the temporary nature of servitude among the Israelites, reflecting a system designed to prevent perpetual slavery among the covenant community.
Leviticus 25:39-43 further emphasizes the humane treatment of bond-men, instructing that they should not be treated harshly: "If your brother among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, you must not force him into slave labor. Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee" . This provision underscores the principle of redemption and restoration inherent in the Jubilee year, where liberty is proclaimed throughout the land.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of a bond-man is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual realities. The Apostle Paul frequently employs the term to illustrate the believer's relationship to Christ. In
Romans 6:22, Paul writes, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life" . Here, the imagery of a bond-man is transformed to convey the idea of willing and joyful servitude to God, contrasting the bondage of sin with the freedom found in Christ.
The Epistle to Philemon provides a personal glimpse into the dynamics of servitude in the early Christian community. Paul appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway bond-man, urging Philemon to receive him "no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother" (
Philemon 1:16). This appeal reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which redefines relationships and elevates the dignity of every individual.
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical portrayal of bond-men carries significant theological implications. It serves as a reminder of the fallen human condition and the need for redemption. The laws concerning bond-men in the Old Testament reveal God's concern for justice and compassion, while the New Testament reinterprets the concept to express the believer's new identity in Christ. The metaphor of servitude to God underscores the call to live a life of obedience and devotion, recognizing Christ as the ultimate Master.
Throughout Scripture, the treatment and status of bond-men reflect broader themes of freedom, redemption, and the inherent worth of every person created in the image of God.
Greek
1401. doulos -- a slave...bondman, servant, slave.
... figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore
in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency) --
bond(-
man), servant.
...Strong's Hebrew
615. asir -- abondman, prisoner... 614, 615. asir. 616 . a
bondman, prisoner. Transliteration: asir Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-sere') Short Definition: prisoners. Word
...5650. ebed -- slave, servant
... bondage,bondman, bondservant, manservant. From abad; a servant -- X bondage,bondman,
(bond-)servant, (man-)servant. see HEBREW abad. 5649, 5650. ebed. 5651...
Library
Blessed be He that Blots Out in Water Misdeeds that are Without...
... 6. For it is the leaven of the Lord, that can glide into thebondman,"and raise
him to freedom; it has joined thebondman to the lineage,"of Him the Lord...
Epistle xxxvi. To Peter the Subdeacon.
... But we have ascertained that what the greater part complain of is the loss of their
slaves, saying that, if any man'sbondman, peradventure running away from...
Colossians iii. 7-May
... Ver.11. "Where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian,bondman, freeman: but Christ is all, and in all.". Lo!...
Galatians Chapter iv.
... fashioned Him. Not so in the case of thebondman; He came by virtue of the laws
of nature, and after the manner of marriage. Nevertheless...
Various Precepts.
... Thou shalt not enjoin aught in thy bitterness upon thybondman or maidservant, who
hope in the same God, lest ever they shall fear not God who is over both...
The Sixth Seal.
... And the kings of the earth, and the nobles, and the rich, and the commanders, and
the strong men, and everybond-man, and every freeman, hid themselves in the...
When God for Judgment Sets his Throne,
... Shall wake the earth and sea; And from the hidden depths shall rise. Thebondman
and the free,". Where, then, my soul, wilt thou abide,....
O, Death, be not Thou Boastful, Over the Just
... and by Thy Resurrection has been humbled to low estate!"3. Death., Herein am I
exceeding great, according to thy saying: that though I bebond-man I trample...
O what Amazement Befel the Evil One, of a Sudden, My Brethren...
... Pharaoh cannot set his foot firm, for this is no stammerer: that he should
deceive Him, and nobondman, that he should lie unto Him."28....
My Throne was Set for Me in Sheol: and one Arose that was Dead...
... is. The person of a king have I not accepted. By me is preached equality,
forbondman and his lord in Sheol I make equal. 3. Before...
Thesaurus
Bondman (108 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BONDMAN.
bond'-
man: One of the translations
of the word `ebhedh, very common in the Old Testament.
...Fellow-bondman (6 Occurrences)
Fellow-bondman. Fellow, Fellow-bondman. Fellow-bondmen . Multi-Version
Concordance Fellow-bondman (6 Occurrences). Matthew...
Bond-man (6 Occurrences)
Bond-man.Bondman,Bond-man.Bondman's . Multi-Version ConcordanceBond-man
(6 Occurrences).... (WBS).Bondman,Bond-man.Bondman's . Reference Bible.
Bondman's (3 Occurrences)
...Bondman's (3 Occurrences).... (DBY). Philippians 2:7 but emptied himself, taking a
bondman's form, taking his place in the likeness of men; (DBY)....
Wast (84 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, Well, good and faithfulbondman, thou wast faithful
over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter into the joy...
Bondmaid (18 Occurrences)
... bondmaid: (DBY). Job 31:13 If I have despised the cause of mybondman or of
my bondmaid, when they contended with me, (DBY). Jeremiah 34...
Homage (51 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Matthew 18:26 Thebondman therefore falling down did him homage, saying,
Lord, have patience with me and I will pay thee all. (DBY)....
Insult (25 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:4 And again he sent to them anotherbondman; and at him they threw stones,
and struck him on the head, and sent him away with insult. (DBY)....
Freeman (9 Occurrences)
... Galatians 3:28 There is no Jew nor Greek; there is nobondman nor freeman; there
is no male and female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus: (DBY YLT)....
Fellow-bondmen (4 Occurrences)
Fellow-bondmen. Fellow-bondman, Fellow-bondmen. Fellow-captive . Multi-Version
Concordance... (DBY). Fellow-bondman, Fellow-bondmen. Fellow-captive ....
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