Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "freemen" referred to individuals who were not bound by slavery or servitude. The concept of freedom is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, both in the physical sense of liberation from bondage and in the spiritual sense of freedom from sin through Christ.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament provides numerous accounts of the Israelites' experiences with slavery and freedom. The most significant event is the Exodus, where God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This event is foundational to the Jewish understanding of freedom and is commemorated annually during Passover. The laws given to Moses also include provisions for the treatment of slaves and the eventual release of Hebrew slaves in the Year of Jubilee (
Leviticus 25:10), emphasizing the value of freedom and the dignity of every individual.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of freedom takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate liberator, freeing humanity from the bondage of sin and death. In
John 8:36, Jesus declares, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This freedom is not merely a release from physical chains but a profound spiritual liberation that transforms the believer's life.
The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of freedom in his epistles. In
Galatians 5:1, he exhorts believers, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." Here, Paul warns against returning to the legalistic practices that can enslave the soul, urging believers to embrace the freedom found in Christ.
Social and Spiritual ImplicationsThe early Christian community included both slaves and freemen, reflecting the diverse social fabric of the Roman Empire. In
1 Corinthians 7:22, Paul writes, "For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave." This paradoxical statement highlights the spiritual equality of all believers, regardless of their social status. In Christ, both slaves and freemen are equal, and their ultimate allegiance is to Him.
The Epistle to Philemon provides a practical example of this principle. Paul appeals to Philemon to receive his runaway slave, Onesimus, not merely as a slave but as a beloved brother in Christ (
Philemon 1:16). This appeal underscores the transformative power of the Gospel to transcend social barriers and create a new community of freemen in Christ.
Eschatological FreedomThe Bible also speaks of an eschatological freedom that awaits believers. In
Romans 8:21, Paul speaks of the creation itself being liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. This future hope is a central tenet of Christian eschatology, where ultimate freedom is realized in the new heavens and new earth.
In summary, the concept of freemen in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. It reflects God's desire for His people to live in freedom, both in their earthly lives and in their eternal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Freeman.
Library
But theFreemen Shall be Tried by Penance for Three Years...
... Canon VII. But thefreemen shall be tried by penance for three years?
But thefreemen shall be tried by penance for three years...
But as it was Easily Seen to be Unjust to CompelFreemen against...
... Chapter XXVIII. But as it was easily seen to be unjust to compelfreemen
against their will? But as it was easily seen to be unjust...
Women as Well as Men, Slaves as Well asFreemen, Candidates for...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book IV. Chapter VIII."Women as Well as Men,
Slaves as Well asFreemen, Candidates for the Martyr's Crown....
Concerning Sacrifices and Oblations, and those who Truly Offer...
... people; sacrifices there are, too, in the Church: but the species alone has been
changed, inasmuch as the offering is now made, not by slaves, but byfreemen....
The Battle of Thermopylae.
... They wore it very long. In fact, the length of the hair was, in their
commonwealth, a mark of distinction betweenfreemen and slaves....
Introduction
... and views, they were resisted by the colonists themselves as adopting principles
and pursuing measures incompatible with their rights asfreemen: while most of...
Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the...
... Assistants, and Deputies, supreme governing power, including, together with that
of legislation, the granting of levies, the admission offreemen, the disposal...
Apology
... Chapter XXVIII. But as it was easily seen to be unjust to compelfreemen against
their will? Chapter XXIX. Let it be made clear, then, first of all?...
From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning...
... such free people of color from the United States as might consent to emigrate, and
establish them as a colony, with all the rights and privileges offreemen....
Dwight -- the Sovereignty of God
... men shall be princes or peasants, opulent or poor, learned or ignorant, honorable
or despised; whether they shall be civilized or savage,freemen or slaves...
Thesaurus
Freemen (17 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Freeman. Multi-Version Concordance
Freemen (17 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 12:13 for also
...Prefects (18 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 2:16 And the prefects have not known whither I have gone, and what I am
doing; and to the Jews, and to the priests, and to thefreemen, and to the...
Caesar's (10 Occurrences)
... 1. What Exactly Was Caesar's Household?: "Caesar's household" meant the whole of
the persons, slaves andfreemen alike, composing the establishment of the...
Strive (64 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 5:7 and my heart reigneth over me, and I strive with thefreemen, and with
the prefects, and say to them, 'Usury one upon another ye are exacting...
Household (222 Occurrences)
... 1. What Exactly Was Caesar's Household?: "Caesar's household" meant the whole of
the persons, slaves andfreemen alike, composing the establishment of the...
Jeconi'ah (7 Occurrences)
... Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath not taken, in his removing Jeconiah son of
Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon with all thefreemen of Judah...
Writeth (26 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 21:8 And she writeth letters in the name of Ahab, and sealeth with his seal,
and sendeth the letters unto the elders, and unto thefreemen, who are in...
Free-offerings (2 Occurrences)
Free-offerings.Freemen, Free-offerings. Frees . Multi-Version Concordance...
(WBS).Freemen, Free-offerings. Frees . Reference Bible.
Free-man (2 Occurrences)
Free-man. Freeman, Free-man.Freemen . Multi-Version Concordance Free-man
(2 Occurrences).... Freeman, Free-man.Freemen . Reference Bible.
Freeing (9 Occurrences)
... Egyptians. (BBE). Judges 5:2 For freeingfreemen in Israel, For a people
willingly offering themselves Bless ye Jehovah. (YLT). Judges...
Resources
Freemen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
