Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "maids" refers to female servants or attendants, often in the service of a household or a person of higher social standing. The role and status of maids in biblical times can be gleaned from various passages throughout the Scriptures, where they are depicted in both domestic and social settings.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, maids are frequently mentioned in the context of household service. For example, in
Genesis 16:1, we read about Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarai (later Sarah), who plays a significant role in the narrative of Abraham's family: "Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar." Hagar's account highlights the complex relationships and social dynamics involving maids, as she becomes the mother of Ishmael through Abram.
Another notable mention is found in the account of Rebekah, who was accompanied by her maids when she left her family to marry Isaac.
Genesis 24:61 states, "Then Rebekah and her maids got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left." This passage illustrates the presence and importance of maids in the lives of prominent biblical figures.
In the book of Ruth, the term "maid" is used to describe Ruth herself when she is gleaning in the fields of Boaz.
Ruth 2:5-6 records, "And Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, 'Whose young woman is this?' The foreman replied, 'She is the Moabitess who returned with Naomi from the land of Moab.'" Here, Ruth's status as a maidservant underscores her humility and diligence, qualities that eventually lead to her redemption and inclusion in the lineage of David.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the role of maids is less frequently mentioned, but they still appear in various contexts. In the parable of the ten virgins, found in
Matthew 25:1-13, the term "virgins" can be understood as young maidens or maids. This parable emphasizes the importance of readiness and vigilance in the Christian life, using the imagery of maidens waiting for the bridegroom.
Additionally, in
Acts 12:13, we encounter Rhoda, a maidservant in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. When Peter, miraculously freed from prison, knocks at the door, it is Rhoda who answers: "When he knocked at the outer gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it." Rhoda's role, though minor, is significant in the narrative of Peter's escape and the early Christian community's response to persecution.
Cultural and Social ContextIn biblical times, maids often held a position of servitude within a household, yet their roles could vary widely depending on the social and economic status of their masters. They were responsible for various domestic tasks, including cooking, cleaning, and assisting their mistresses. Despite their lower social standing, maids could wield influence within the household, as seen in the accounts of Hagar and Rebekah's maids.
The treatment of maids, as with all servants, was subject to the moral and ethical teachings of the Scriptures. The Mosaic Law provided guidelines for the fair treatment of servants, emphasizing justice and compassion (
Exodus 21:7-11). These principles reflect the broader biblical theme of caring for the vulnerable and marginalized in society.
Spiritual SignificanceThe presence of maids in biblical narratives often serves to highlight themes of humility, service, and God's providence. Their accounts remind readers of the dignity and worth of all individuals, regardless of social status, and the potential for God's purposes to be fulfilled through seemingly ordinary lives.
Strong's Hebrew
519. amah -- a maid, handmaid... Definition a maid, handmaid NASB Word Usage female (15), female servant (4), female
slave (2), handmaid (2), handmaids (1), maid (8),
maids (5), maidservant (19
...5291. naarah -- a girl, maiden
... of naar Definition a girl, maiden NASB Word Usage each young lady (1), girl (21),
girl's (11), maidens (8),maids (7), young (4), young ladies (1), young lady...
8198. shiphchah -- maid, maidservant
... Origin from an unused word Definition maid, maidservant NASB Word Usage female
(9), female servant (3), female servants (5), maid (20),maids (5), maidservant...
Library
Sing Heigh-Ho!
... There sits a bird on every tree, And courts his love as I do thee; Sing
heigh-ho, and heigh-ho! Youngmaids must marry.... Youngmaids must marry....
Queen Esther's Love for Her People
... pleased him and won his favor, so that he quickly gave her what she needed to make
her more beautiful and her allowance of food and the sevenmaids chosen from...
The Story of Moses, the Child who was Found in the River
... Pharaoh's daughter, with hermaids, came down to the river, and they saw
the ark floating on the water, among the reeds. She sent...
How a Blind Woman, Praying in the Burial-Place of that Monastery...
... Nor did she lose any time in fulfilling that which she had conceived in her mind:
for being conducted by hermaids to the monastery, which was very near, and...
Andromeda
... to see; and by night it swam out to the seaward, Daily returning to feed with the
dawn, and devoured of the fairest, Cattle, and children, andmaids, till the...
On Daniel. vi. On Susannah.
... "With twomaids only." For when the Church desires to take the laver according to
use, she must of necessity have two handmaids to accompany her....
The First Last, and the Last First
... The kitchen is in the palace, and Christ's kitchen-maids aremaids of honor. He
that serveth God, reigneth. To serve him on earth is to be glorified....
The Seventh Book
... so act? Who among them has not been considered by his shamelessmaids,
and with good, reason, as either adulterer or husband? For...
Peter Commits Perjury.
... In the hall were the servantmaids, Sarah and Hagar, who seeing the soldiers standing
outside, went to the door, and said, "You may come in here." It was Hagar...
Gradual Development of Custom, and Its Results. Passionate Appeal...
... somewhat from husbands, [288] not to say such a request as that (forsooth) their
rivals"all the more "free" in that they are the "hand-maids" of Christ alone...
Thesaurus
Maids (28 Occurrences)...Maids (28 Occurrences). Mark 14:66 As Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the
maids of the high priest came, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV).
...Bond-maids (1 Occurrence)
Bond-maids. Bondmaids, Bond-maids. Bondman . Multi-Version Concordance
Bond-maids (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 25:44 Both...
Bond-men (16 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:44 Both thy bond-men, and thy bond-maids, which thou shalt have, shall
be of the heathen that are around you; of them shall ye buy bond-men and...
Singing-men (3 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Ezra 2:65 Besides their servants and theirmaids, of whom there were seven
thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred...
Singing-women (3 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Ezra 2:65 Besides their servants and theirmaids, of whom there were seven
thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred...
Susanna (1 Occurrence)
... In Septuagint (verse 30) it is said that the number of Susanna's relatives, servants
and servant-maids present at the trial was 500; Theodotion is silent on...
Bondmaids (6 Occurrences)
Forgotten (69 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Job 19:15 They that dwell in my house, and
mymaids, count me for a stranger; I am become an alien in their sight....
Fetched (26 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY). Exodus 2:5 And the daughter of Pharaoh went down to bathe
in the river; and hermaids went along by the river's side....
Taber
... given in Nahum 2:7. The queen (perhaps the city personified) is dishonored and led
into ignominious captivity, followed by a mourning retinue of "maids of honor...
Resources
Who was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the book of Susanna? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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