Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, maid-servants, or female servants, played a significant role in the household and social structures of ancient Israel and the surrounding cultures. The term "maid-servant" is often used interchangeably with "handmaid" or "female servant" in various translations of the Bible. These women were typically employed to perform domestic duties and assist their mistresses in managing household affairs.
Old Testament ContextMaid-servants are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, reflecting their integral role in the patriarchal society of ancient Israel. In
Genesis 16:1-2 , we encounter Hagar, the Egyptian maid-servant of Sarai (later Sarah), who becomes a pivotal figure in the narrative: "Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Please behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.'"
The account of Hagar illustrates the complex relationships and social dynamics involving maid-servants, who could be elevated to the status of concubines or secondary wives, especially in cases of childlessness. This practice was not uncommon in the ancient Near East, where producing offspring was of paramount importance.
In
Exodus 20:10 , the Ten Commandments include maid-servants in the Sabbath rest: "But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates." This inclusion underscores the recognition of maid-servants as part of the household, deserving rest and respect.
Legal Protections and Social StatusThe Mosaic Law provided certain protections for maid-servants, reflecting a degree of concern for their welfare. In
Exodus 21:7-11 , specific regulations are given regarding the treatment of female servants: "If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do. If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who has designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her."
These laws aimed to prevent the exploitation and mistreatment of maid-servants, ensuring they were treated with dignity and fairness. The provision for redemption and the prohibition against selling to foreigners highlight the protective measures embedded within the legal framework.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, maid-servants are mentioned less frequently, but their presence is still acknowledged. In
Luke 12:45 , Jesus uses the example of a servant's behavior to illustrate readiness for His return: "But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk."
This parable reflects the continued existence of maid-servants in the societal structure of the time and serves as a moral teaching on the responsibilities of those in authority over them.
Cultural and Theological ImplicationsThe role of maid-servants in biblical narratives often serves as a lens through which to view broader themes of servitude, authority, and God's providence. The accounts of maid-servants like Hagar and others reveal the complexities of human relationships and the divine orchestration of events, even through the lives of those considered lowly or marginalized.
Maid-servants, while often occupying a subordinate position, are depicted as individuals with their own accounts and significance within God's unfolding plan. Their inclusion in biblical accounts underscores the value and dignity accorded to all individuals, regardless of social status, within the biblical worldview.
Strong's Hebrew
8198. shiphchah -- maid, maidservant... maid, maidservant NASB Word Usage female (9), female servant (3), female servants
(5), maid (20), maids (5), maidservant (15),
maidservants (1), servants* (6
...Library
Meeting a Brother who had Been Wronged
... Later that night he rose up and took his two wives, his twomaid servants,
and his eleven children, and sent them over the river Jabbok....
When Herod Made Inquiry About Pheroras's Death a Discovery was...
... 2. The king was deeply affected with so many suspicions, and had themaid-servants
and some of the free women also tortured; one of which cried out in her...
Ephesians iv. 31
... overtaken in it. Women, whenever they are angry with theirmaid-servants,
fill the whole house with their own clamor. And oftentimes...
The Seventh Book
... Nay, as far as passive endurance of their lust is concerned, who among them did
not reduce his wife to the status of hismaidservants and degrade the sacrament...
Acts of Paul and Thecla.
... loss of a wife, and Theocleia of a child, and themaidservants of a... But the
maid-servants [2121] and virgins brought the faggots, in order that Thecla might...
Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
... Likewise, he must have domestics, man-servants andmaid-servants, under himself
for the management of the household, so that all whom we call masters are in...
Judging, Therefore, that it Stood Thus with this Matter...
... And I surrounded myself also with many domestics, both man-servants andmaid-servants;
and some of them I procured from abroad, and others I possessed and...
That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both...
... Abimelech was smitten by God: So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech,
and his wife, and hismaid-servants; and they bare children....
Leadership for Service
... But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall
begin to beat the menservants and themaidservants, and to eat and drink...
Abraham, the Man of Prayer
... live." And the conclusion of the incident is thus recorded: "So Abraham prayed unto
God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife, and hismaid servants, and they...
Thesaurus
Maidservants (28 Occurrences)... and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and
maidservants? (KJV RSV
NIV). Ezra 2:65 beside their men-servants and their
maid-
servants, of whom there
...Maid-servants (25 Occurrences)
Maid-servants.Maidservants,Maid-servants. Maidservant's . Multi-Version
Concordance... (YLT).Maidservants,Maid-servants. Maidservant's . Reference Bible
Menservants (19 Occurrences)
... and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, andmaidservants? (KJV RSV
NIV). Ezra 2:65 beside their men-servants and theirmaid-servants, of whom there...
Men-servants (22 Occurrences)
... Genesis 12:16 And he dealt well with Abram for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen,
and he-asses, and men-servants, andmaid-servants, and she-asses, and...
Maids (28 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:45 But if that servant says in his heart,'My lord delays his coming,' and
begins to beat the menservants and themaidservants, and to eat and drink...
Subdue (26 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 28:10 and now, sons of Judah and Jerusalem ye are saying to subdue
for men-servants and formaid-servants to you; but are there not with you...
Asses (68 Occurrences)
... Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen,
and he asses, and menservants, andmaidservants, and she asses, and camels....
Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)
... free, (at their pleasure,) to return, and ye subdue them to be to you for men-servants
and formaid-servants. (YLT). Maidservant, Maid-servant.Maidservants...
Freed (32 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 34:11 and they turn afterwards, and cause the men-servants and the
maid-servants to return, whom they had sent forth free, and they subdue them for...
Resources
What does the Bible say about covetousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be a servant of Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Minas? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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