Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "bondservant" referred to an individual who was bound to serve a master for a specified period, often as a result of debt or poverty. The concept of a bondservant is deeply rooted in the socio-economic and cultural contexts of the ancient Near East and is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "servant" or "slave" is "ebed." The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations regarding the treatment and rights of bondservants. For instance,
Exodus 21:2-6 outlines the conditions under which a Hebrew servant might serve for six years and be released in the seventh year. If the servant chose to remain with his master, a ritual involving the piercing of the ear was performed, signifying a lifelong commitment (
Exodus 21:5-6).
Leviticus 25:39-43 further emphasizes the humane treatment of bondservants, instructing that they should not be treated harshly and should be released during the Year of Jubilee. This reflects the underlying principle that the Israelites themselves were once slaves in Egypt and should therefore treat their servants with compassion and justice.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "doulos" is commonly translated as "servant" or "bondservant." The term is used both literally and metaphorically to describe a person's relationship to Christ. The Apostle Paul frequently refers to himself as a "bondservant of Christ" (
Romans 1:1), indicating total devotion and submission to the will of God.
The New Testament also addresses the relationship between masters and bondservants.
Ephesians 6:5-9 and
Colossians 3:22-4:1 instruct bondservants to obey their earthly masters with sincerity, as they would obey Christ. Masters, in turn, are reminded to treat their servants with fairness and respect, recognizing that they too have a Master in heaven.
Theological SignificanceThe concept of a bondservant in the Bible carries profound theological implications. It serves as a metaphor for the believer's relationship with God, characterized by obedience, humility, and service. Jesus Himself is described as taking "the very nature of a servant" (
Philippians 2:7), exemplifying the ultimate act of servitude through His life and sacrificial death.
The notion of being a bondservant to Christ underscores the Christian calling to live a life of selfless devotion and service, reflecting the love and grace of God in all aspects of life. This spiritual servitude is not one of compulsion but of willing submission to the Lordship of Christ, motivated by love and gratitude for His redemptive work.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BONDSERVANTbond'-sur-vant: Appears only once in the King James Version (Leviticus 25:39) where it translates `ebhedh, "a slave": "Thou shalt not cause him to render the service of a bondservant" or slave. the Revised Version (British and American) frequently uses bondservant (doulos) instead of the word "servant" of the King James Version (John 8:34, 351 Corinthians 7:21Galatians 4:7).
SeeSLAVERY.
Strong's Hebrew
5656. abodah -- labor, service... 1), work (18), workers (1). act, bondage,
bondservant, effect, labor,
ministering, office, service, tillage,. Or mabowdah {ab-o-daw
...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
Are You Willing to be a Servant?
... He was in the form of God, He counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God,
but emptied Himself and took upon Him the form of abondservant" (Phil.2:6,7...
Jesus Rejected in Jerusalem.
... Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth
sin is thebondservant of sin. And thebondservant...
The Freedom of the Soul.
... Jesus answered them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth
sin is thebondservant of sin. And thebondservant...
Book xii. At Length, with the Holy Ghost Speeding Our Way...
... But since He is subjected not of His own will, He must needs be also abondservant;
moreover since He is abondservant He must needs also be dwelling in a...
Messianic Claims Met by Attempt to Stone Jesus.
... 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that
committeth sin is thebondservant of sin. [Jesus here shows...
Abba, Father!
... I-7. 'But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a
bondservant, though he is lord of all; but is under guardians and stewards...
Secret Study of the Holy Scriptures.
... was the sequel of His own action of will in that eternal state [ii.7.]. It was a
novel and voluntary assumption of the condition of theBondservant, the [Greek...
Post-Nicene Mothers
... The rigor of slavery was somewhat softened; yet if a man beat hisbondservant to
death, he was considered to be acting within his right, providing that he...
Freedom.
... authorized version gives, 'Whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin; 'the
revised version gives, 'Every one that committeth sin is thebondservant of sin...
Worthy-Not Worthy
... He does not use the rough word which implies abondservant, and which is employed
throughout the whole of the rest of the narrative, but a much gentler one...
Thesaurus
Bondservant (34 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BONDSERVANT. bond'-sur-vant
... SLAVERY.
Multi-Version Concordance
Bondservant (34 Occurrences). Matthew 6
...Bond-servant (14 Occurrences)
Bond-servant.Bondservant, Bond-servant. Bondservants .... Or am I seeking to please
men? If I were still a man-pleaser, I should not be Christ'sbondservant....
Oh (164 Occurrences)
... But he exclaimed, "Oh, do not do that. I am a fellowbondservant of yours and a
fellowbondservant of your brethren who have borne testimony to Jesus....
Wishes (37 Occurrences)
... be your servant. (See NAS). Matthew 20:27 Whoever desires to be first among
you shall be yourbondservant, (See NAS). Mark 8:34 He...
Christ's (64 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he who was called in the Lord being abondservant is the
Lord's free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ'sbondservant....
Underlies (1 Occurrence)
... But he exclaimed, "Oh, do not do that. I am a fellowbondservant of yours and a
fellowbondservant of your brethren who have borne testimony to Jesus....
Freedman (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Corinthians 7:22 For he that was called in the Lord being abondservant, is the
Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's...
Teachings (34 Occurrences)
... I am a fellowbondservant of yours, and a fellowbondservant of your brethren the
Prophets and of those who are mindful of the teachings of this book....
Desires (151 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY). Matthew 20:27 Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your
bondservant, (WEB WEY). Matthew 27:43 He trusts in God....
Mindful (39 Occurrences)
... I am a fellowbondservant of yours, and a fellowbondservant of your brethren the
Prophets and of those who are mindful of the teachings of this book....
Resources
What is a bondservant / bond-servant? | GotQuestions.orgMiscellaneous Bible Questions (All) | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be a servant of Christ? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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