Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextServitude in the biblical context refers to the condition of being a servant or slave, encompassing various forms of labor and social status. It is a multifaceted concept that appears throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the cultural, economic, and spiritual dimensions of ancient societies. Servitude can be voluntary or involuntary, temporary or permanent, and is often regulated by specific laws and customs.
Old Testament InsightsIn the Old Testament, servitude is a common institution, with laws governing the treatment and rights of servants. The Hebrew term often translated as "servant" or "slave" is
ebed, which can denote a range of servile conditions. The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations for servitude, emphasizing humane treatment and the potential for freedom.
Exodus 21:2-6 outlines the laws for Hebrew servants: "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 sabbatical principle, ensuring that servitude among the Israelites was not perpetual. Additionally,Deuteronomy 15:12-15 reiterates this law, emphasizing the release of servants and the provision of resources to help them start anew.
The treatment of foreign slaves was also addressed, withLeviticus 25:44-46 allowing Israelites to acquire slaves from surrounding nations. However, the Israelites were reminded of their own deliverance from Egypt, which served as a moral compass for their treatment of others (Deuteronomy 24:17-18).
New Testament Perspectives
In the New Testament, servitude is addressed within the context of the Roman Empire, where slavery was a widespread institution. The Greek termdoulos is commonly used, translated as "servant" or "slave." The teachings of Jesus and the apostles do not explicitly call for the abolition of slavery but rather focus on the transformation of relationships within the existing social structures.
Ephesians 6:5-9 instructs servants to obey their earthly masters with respect and sincerity, "as you would obey Christ." Masters, in turn, are reminded to treat their servants well, knowing that both master and servant have the same Master in heaven. This mutual respect and accountability before God is a recurring theme in the apostolic writings.
The Epistle to Philemon provides a personal example of Christian servitude, where Paul appeals to Philemon to receive his runaway slave Onesimus not merely as a servant but as a beloved brother in Christ (Philemon 1:15-16). This appeal underscores the transformative power of the Gospel in redefining social relationships.
Spiritual Dimensions
Beyond the socio-economic aspects, servitude in the Bible also carries profound spiritual implications. Believers are often described as servants of God, called to live in obedience and devotion to Him.Romans 6:22 states, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life."
Jesus Himself exemplified the ultimate servitude, as described inPhilippians 2:7, where He "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness." His life and sacrifice serve as the model for Christian service, emphasizing humility, selflessness, and love.
Conclusion
The biblical concept of servitude is complex, encompassing legal, social, and spiritual dimensions. While the Scriptures provide guidelines for the humane treatment of servants, they also elevate the notion of servitude to a spiritual calling, where believers are invited to serve God and one another in love and humility.Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) Slavery; the state of voluntary or compulsory subjection to a master; the condition of being bound to service; the condition of a slave; slavery; bondage; hence, a state of slavish dependence.2. (n.) Servants, collectively.
3. (n.) A right whereby one thing is subject to another thing or person for use or convenience, contrary to the common right.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SERVITUDEsur'-vi-tud.
SeeSERVANT;SLAVE.
Greek
3623. oikonomos -- the manager of a household... See 3622 (). [3623 ("manager") often functioned as the "steward" of a household,
and was generally a -- ie a from forced, legal
servitude (J. Thayer).].
...2218. zugos -- a yoke
... From the root of zeugnumi (to join, especially by a "yoke"); a coupling, ie
(figuratively)servitude (a law or obligation); also (literally) the beam of the...
2631. katakrima -- penalty
... Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ak'-ree-mah) Short Definition: punishment following
condemnation Definition: punishment following condemnation, penalservitude, penalty...
1463. egkomboomai -- to put on oneself (as a garment)
... Middle voice from en and komboo (to gird); to engirdle oneself (for labor), ie
Figuratively (the apron as being a badge ofservitude) to wear (in token of...
5480. charagma -- a stamp, impress
... stamp, mark. From the same as charax; a scratch or etching, ie Stamp (as a badge
ofservitude), or scupltured figure (statue) -- graven, mark. see GREEK charax....
Strong's Hebrew
5659. abduth --servitude, bondage... abduth. 5660 .
servitude, bondage. Transliteration: abduth Phonetic Spelling:
(ab-dooth') Short Definition: bondage.
... bondage. From abad;
servitude -- bondage.
...5658. Abdon -- four Israelites, also a Levitical city
... Abdon. From abad;servitude; Abdon, the name of a place in Palestine and of four
Israelites -- Abdon. Compare Ebron. see HEBREW abad. see HEBREW Ebron....
5656. abodah -- labor, service
... 2), kind of service (2), labor (9), laborious (12), labors (1), ministry (2), office
(1), rite (3), rural (1), service (79), serving (1),servitude (2), tilled...
Library
Concerning Ignorance andServitude.
... Book III. Chapter XXI."Concerning ignorance andservitude. He assumed, it is
to be noted [2206] , the ignorant and servile nature [2207] ....
Whether the Notion of a State Denotes a Condition of Freedom or...
... STATES OF LIFE (QQ -189)OF MAN'S VARIOUS DUTIES AND STATES IN GENERAL (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether the notion of a state denotes a condition of freedom orservitude...
Of the Liberty Proper to Man's Nature, and theServitude...
... Chapter 15."Of the Liberty Proper to Man's Nature, and theServitude Introduced
by Sin,"AServitude in Which the Man Whose Will is Wicked is the Slave of...
The Connexion Between Steadfastness, Truth, and Freedom. (John...
... Section 196. The Connexion between Steadfastness, Truth, and Freedom. (John, viii.,
30-32.) Freedom andServitude; their typical Meaning (33-38)....
The Liberation of Free Persons Condemned to Labor in the Women's...
... Book II. Chapter XXXIV."The Liberation of Free Persons condemned to labor
in the Women's Apartments, or toServitude. "Lastly, if...
Whether the Difference of States Applies to those who are...
... Objection 2: Further, as stated above [3750](A[1]), state regards a condition of
servitude or freedom, which apparently has no connection with the aforesaid...
Then Returning to the Words of Peter, "God Made Him Lord and...
... For if the Holy Spirit does not lie, when He says by the prophet, All things serve
Thee [792] ,' and the whole creation is inservitude, and the Son is, as you...
Whether Whoever is Perfect is in the State of Perfection?
... Objection 3: Further, a man acquires a state by being freed fromservitude.
But one is freed from theservitude of sin by charity...
Of the Meaning of the Sacrifice Abraham was Commanded to Offer...
... And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a
land not theirs, and they shall reduce them toservitude and shall afflict them...
Having Shown that the Pretexts Usually Alleged for Second...
... It is said: "Ye are bought with a price, be not ye servants of men." [3377]
You see how plainly theservitude of marriage is defined....
Thesaurus
Servitude (21 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SERVITUDE. sur'-vi-tud. See SERVANT; SLAVE.
Multi-Version Concordance
Servitude (21 Occurrences).
...Judges (117 Occurrences)
... " FIRST PERIOD (3:7-ch. 5) " Years " I.Servitude under Chushan-rishathaim of "
Mesopotamia 8 " 1. OTHNIEL delivers Israel, rest 40 " II....
Yoke (79 Occurrences)
... 3:27). In the New Testament the word "yoke" is also used to denoteservitude
(Matthew 11:29, 30; Acts 15:10; Galatians 5:1). (3.) In...
Bitter (203 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Bitterness is symbolical of affliction, misery,
andservitude (Exodus 1:14; Ruth 1:20; Jeremiah 9:15)....
Quickening (7 Occurrences)
... to us an escape, and to give to us a nail in His holy place, by our God's enlightening
our eyes, and by giving us a little quickening in ourservitude; (YLT)....
Nethinim (16 Occurrences)
... the word, but in 1 Chronicles 9:2 renders it by a word meaning "sojourners." The
meaning "given" is suggestive of a state ofservitude, and Josephus seems to...
Lighten (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:4 Thy father made our yoke grievous; and now lighten thou the grievous
servitude of thy father and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will...
Ransom (46 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) To redeem from captivity,servitude, punishment, or forfeit, by paying a
price; to buy out ofservitude or penalty; to rescue; to deliver; as, to...
Ear (670 Occurrences)
... disobedient. To have the ear "bored" through with an awl was a sign of perpetual
servitude (Exodus 21:6). Noah Webster's Dictionary....
Reduce (13 Occurrences)
... nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the time of his land
also come, when many nations and great kings shall reduce him toservitude....
Resources
What is structuralism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a bondservant / bond-servant? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.orgServitude: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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