519. amah

Lexicon

amah: Maidservant, female servant, handmaid

Original Word: אָמָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: amah
Pronunciation: ah-MAH
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-maw')
Definition: Maidservant, female servant, handmaid
Meaning: a maidservant, female slave

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

handmaid, bondwoman, maidservant

Apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or female slave -- (hand-)bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a maid, handmaid
NASB Translation
female (15), female servant (4), female slave (2), handmaid (2), handmaids (1), maid (8), maids (5), maidservant (19), servant* (1), servants* (6), slave* (4), slaves* (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

אָמָה noun feminine maid, handmaid (Phoenician אמת, Arabic , Sabean אמת in proper name SabDenkm²⁰, Aramaic , Assyrian amtu Zim^{BP 67}) — ׳א absolute Genesis 21:10 +; suffix אֲמָתִי Genesis 30:3 +, etc.; plural absolute אֲמָהֹת Genesis 31:33; 2 Samuel 6:22; construct אַמְהוֺת 2 Samuel 6:20; אַמְהֹתַי Job 19:5 etc. — maid, handmaid.

1 literally maidservant (= שִׁפְחָה q. v., where however sometimes more servile; rarely P in Hexateuch) Genesis 30:3; Genesis 31:33 ("" שִׁפְחָה Genesis 29:24,29; P Genesis 30:4f. J etc.) Exodus 2:5 (all E); 2 Samuel 6:20,22; Job 19:15; Nahum 2:8 (suffix refers to mistress, except Job 19:15 compare 2 Samuel 6:20,22); in legisl. ("" עֶבֶד) Exodus 20:10,17; Exodus 21:20,26,27,32 (all E) Leviticus 25:6,44 (twice in verse) (H) Deuteronomy 5:14 (twice in verse); Deuteronomy 5:18; Deuteronomy 12:12,18; Deuteronomy 15:17 (compare see 12) Deuteronomy 16:11,14; compare also Job 31:13; Ezra 2:65; Nehemiah 7:67; applied to concubine (suffix of master) Genesis 20:17; Genesis 21:12; Exodus 23:12 (all E) Judges 9:18; Judges 19:19; also Genesis 21:10 (twice in verse); Genesis 21:13 (Genesis 16:1f. P שִׁפְחָה q. v.) Exodus 21:7 (all E), see on this Sta^{Gesch i: p. 380.}

2 figurative in address, אֲמָֽתְךָ etc., referring to speaker, in token of humility; Ruth 3:9 (twice in verse) ("" שׁפחה Ruth 2:13) 1 Samuel 1:16 ("" id. 1 Samuel 1:18) 1 Samuel 25:24 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 25:25,28,31,41 ("" id. 1 Samuel 25:27) 2 Samuel 14:15,16 ("" id. 2 Samuel 14:6; 2 Samuel 14:7; 2 Samuel 14:12; 2 Samuel 14:15; 2 Samuel 14:17; 2 Samuel 14:19); 2 Samuel 20:17; 1 Kings 1:13,17; 1 Kings 3:20; in addressing God (never שׁפחה) 1 Samuel 1:11 (3 t. in verse), compare ׳בֶּןאֿ Psalm 86:16; Psalm 116:16.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to be a mother.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G851 (δουλεία • douleia): This Greek term is often translated as "slavery" or "bondage" and is used in the New Testament to describe a state of servitude or subjection, both literal and metaphorical.

• G3814 (παιδίσκη • paidiskē): This term refers to a young female slave or servant girl. It is used in the New Testament to describe a maidservant, similar to the Hebrew אָמָה, and appears in contexts such as the story of Peter's denial of Jesus, where a servant girl recognizes him (Mark 14:66-69).

These Greek terms reflect similar concepts of servitude and service as the Hebrew אָמָה, illustrating the continuity of these social roles across the biblical narrative.

Usage: The term אָמָה is used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to a female servant or slave. It denotes a woman who is in a position of servitude, often within a household, and can imply both voluntary and involuntary service.

Context: The Hebrew term אָמָה (amah) appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, signifying a female servant or slave. This term is often used to describe women who serve in domestic roles, either by choice or through circumstances such as debt or captivity. The role of an אָמָה could vary significantly, from performing household duties to serving as a concubine or secondary wife.

In the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, the status of an אָמָה was distinct from that of a free woman. However, the Mosaic Law provided certain protections and rights for maidservants, reflecting a degree of social responsibility towards them. For instance, Exodus 21:7-11 outlines specific regulations regarding the treatment and rights of female servants, ensuring they were not mistreated or neglected.

The term is used in several notable biblical narratives. In Genesis 21:10, Sarah refers to Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant, as an אָמָה when she demands that Abraham send her away. This highlights the complex social dynamics and personal relationships involving maidservants in biblical times.

Additionally, the term is used metaphorically in some passages to describe the relationship between God and His people, emphasizing themes of service and devotion. For example, in 1 Samuel 1:11, Hannah refers to herself as an אָמָה in her prayer to the Lord, expressing humility and dedication.

Forms and Transliterations

אֲמָ֣תְךָ֔ אֲמָֽתְךָ֙ אֲמָת֖וֹ אֲמָתְךָ֖ אֲמָתִ֥י אֲמָתֶ֑ךָ אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ אֲמָתֶ֗ךָ אֲמָתֶֽךָ׃ אֲמָתָ֖הּ אֲמָתֽוֹ׃ אֲמָתוֹ֙ אַמְה֣וֹת אָמָ֑ה אמה אמהות אמתה אמתו אמתו׃ אמתי אמתך אמתך׃ הָֽאֲמָהוֹת֙ הָאֲמָהֹ֖ת הָאָמָ֖ה הָאָמָ֣ה הָאָמָ֥ה האמה האמהות האמהת וְ֭אַמְהֹתַי וְאַמְהֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ וְאַמְהֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וְאַמְהֹתֶ֗יהָ וְאַמְהֹתָ֖יו וְאָמָֽה׃ וְלַֽאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וְלַאֲמָתֶ֑ךָ וַ֠אֲמָתֶךָ וַאֲמָֽתְךָ֙ וַאֲמָֽתְךָ֜֙ וַאֲמָתְךָ֖ וַאֲמָתִ֑י וַאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וַאֲמָתֶךָ֒ וַאֲמָתוֹ֙ ואמה׃ ואמהתי ואמהתיה ואמהתיהם ואמהתיו ואמהתיכם ואמתו ואמתי ואמתך ולאמתך לְאָמָ֑ה לַֽאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ לַאֲמָֽתְךָ֙ לַאֲמָתְךָ֖ לאמה לאמתך ’ă·mā·ṯāh ’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā ’ă·mā·ṯə·ḵā ’ă·mā·ṯî ’ă·mā·ṯōw ’ā·māh ’am·hō·wṯ ’āmāh ’ămāṯāh ’ămāṯeḵā ’ămāṯəḵā ’ămāṯî ’ămāṯōw ’amhōwṯ aMah amaTah amaTecha amaTi amaTo amHot hā’āmāh hā’ămāhōṯ hā’ămāhōwṯ hā·’ă·mā·hō·wṯ hā·’ă·mā·hōṯ hā·’ā·māh haaMah haamaHot la’ămāṯeḵā la’ămāṯəḵā la·’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā la·’ă·mā·ṯə·ḵā laamateCha lə’āmāh lə·’ā·māh leaMah vaamateCha vaamaTi vaamaTo veaMah Veamhotai veamhoTav veamhoteiChem veamhoTeiha veamhoteiHem velaamaTecha wa’ămāṯeḵā wa’ămāṯəḵā wa’ămāṯî wa’ămāṯōw wa·’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā wa·’ă·mā·ṯə·ḵā wa·’ă·mā·ṯî wa·’ă·mā·ṯōw wə’āmāh wə’amhōṯāw wə’amhōṯay wə’amhōṯehā wə’amhōṯêhem wə’amhōṯêḵem wə·’ā·māh wə·’am·hō·ṯāw wə·’am·hō·ṯay wə·’am·hō·ṯe·hā wə·’am·hō·ṯê·hem wə·’am·hō·ṯê·ḵem wə·la·’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā wəla’ămāṯeḵā

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 20:17
HEB: וְאֶת־ אִשְׁתּ֛וֹ וְאַמְהֹתָ֖יו וַיֵּלֵֽדוּ׃
NAS: and his wife and his maids, so that they bore
KJV: and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare
INT: Abimelech and his wife and his maids bore

Genesis 21:10
HEB: לְאַבְרָהָ֔ם גָּרֵ֛שׁ הָאָמָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את וְאֶת־
NAS: out this maid and her son,
KJV: Cast out this bondwoman and her son:
INT: to Abraham Drive maid likewise son

Genesis 21:10
HEB: יִירַשׁ֙ בֶּן־ הָאָמָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את עִם־
NAS: of this maid shall not be an heir
KJV: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir
INT: shall not be an heir the son maid likewise with

Genesis 21:12
HEB: הַנַּ֣עַר וְעַל־ אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ כֹּל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר
NAS: of the lad and your maid; whatever
KJV: because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah
INT: of the lad because and your maid all manner after

Genesis 21:13
HEB: אֶת־ בֶּן־ הָאָמָ֖ה לְג֣וֹי אֲשִׂימֶ֑נּוּ
NAS: And of the son of the maid I will make
KJV: And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make
INT: also the son of the maid A nation will make

Genesis 30:3
HEB: וַתֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּ֛ה אֲמָתִ֥י בִלְהָ֖ה בֹּ֣א
NAS: She said, Here is my maid Bilhah, go
KJV: And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah,
INT: said Here is my maid Bilhah go

Genesis 31:33
HEB: וּבְאֹ֛הֶל שְׁתֵּ֥י הָאֲמָהֹ֖ת וְלֹ֣א מָצָ֑א
NAS: of the two maids, but he did not find
KJV: and into the two maidservants' tents;
INT: the tent of the two maids did not find

Exodus 2:5
HEB: וַתִּשְׁלַ֥ח אֶת־ אֲמָתָ֖הּ וַתִּקָּחֶֽהָ
NAS: and sent her maid, and she brought
KJV: she sent her maid to fetch
INT: the reeds and sent her maid brought

Exodus 20:10
HEB: וּ֠בִתֶּ֗ךָ עַבְדְּךָ֤֨ וַאֲמָֽתְךָ֜֙ וּבְהֶמְתֶּ֔֗ךָ וְגֵרְךָ֖֙
NAS: your male or your female servant
KJV: thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle,
INT: your daughter your male your female your cattle your sojourner

Exodus 20:17
HEB: רֵעֶ֗ךָ וְעַבְדּ֤וֹ וַאֲמָתוֹ֙ וְשׁוֹר֣וֹ וַחֲמֹר֔וֹ
NAS: or his male servant or his female servant or his ox
KJV: nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox,
INT: your neighbor's his male his female his ox his donkey

Exodus 21:7
HEB: אֶת־ בִּתּ֖וֹ לְאָמָ֑ה לֹ֥א תֵצֵ֖א
NAS: his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go
KJV: his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out
INT: A man his daughter A female is not to go

Exodus 21:20
HEB: א֤וֹ אֶת־ אֲמָתוֹ֙ בַּשֵּׁ֔בֶט וּמֵ֖ת
NAS: or female slave with a rod
KJV: his servant, or his maid, with a rod,
INT: his male or female A rod dies

Exodus 21:26
HEB: אֶת־ עֵ֥ין אֲמָת֖וֹ וְשִֽׁחֲתָ֑הּ לַֽחָפְשִׁ֥י
NAS: or female slave, and destroys
KJV: or the eye of his maid, that it perish;
INT: or of his eye female and destroys free

Exodus 21:27
HEB: אֽוֹ־ שֵׁ֥ן אֲמָת֖וֹ יַפִּ֑יל לַֽחָפְשִׁ֥י
NAS: or female slave, he shall let him go
KJV: tooth, or his maidservant's tooth;
INT: or of his tooth female knocks free

Exodus 21:32
HEB: הַשּׁ֖וֹר א֣וֹ אָמָ֑ה כֶּ֣סֶף ׀ שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים
NAS: or female slave, the owner shall give
KJV: a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give
INT: the ox or female of silver thirty

Exodus 23:12
HEB: וְיִנָּפֵ֥שׁ בֶּן־ אֲמָתְךָ֖ וְהַגֵּֽר׃
NAS: and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger,
KJV: and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger,
INT: may refresh and the son of your female your stranger

Leviticus 25:6
HEB: לְךָ֖ וּלְעַבְדְּךָ֣ וְלַאֲמָתֶ֑ךָ וְלִשְׂכִֽירְךָ֙ וּלְתוֹשָׁ֣בְךָ֔
NAS: yourself, and your male and female slaves, and your hired man
KJV: for you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant,
INT: food and your male and female and your hired and your foreign

Leviticus 25:44
HEB: וְעַבְדְּךָ֥ וַאֲמָתְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִהְיוּ־
NAS: As for your male and female slaves
KJV: Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, [shall be] of the heathen
INT: your male and female whom may have

Leviticus 25:44
HEB: תִּקְנ֖וּ עֶ֥בֶד וְאָמָֽה׃
NAS: and female slaves whom
KJV: bondmen and bondmaids.
INT: buy male and female

Deuteronomy 5:14
HEB: וּבִתֶּ֣ךָ וְעַבְדְּךָֽ־ וַ֠אֲמָתֶךָ וְשׁוֹרְךָ֨ וַחֲמֹֽרְךָ֜
NAS: servant or your female servant
KJV: nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox,
INT: your daughter your male your female your ox your donkey

Deuteronomy 5:14
HEB: יָנ֛וּחַ עַבְדְּךָ֥ וַאֲמָתְךָ֖ כָּמֽ֑וֹךָ׃
NAS: or your female servant or your ox
KJV: that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest
INT: may rest servant servant You

Deuteronomy 5:21
HEB: שָׂדֵ֜הוּ וְעַבְדּ֤וֹ וַאֲמָתוֹ֙ שׁוֹר֣וֹ וַחֲמֹר֔וֹ
NAS: or his male servant or his female servant, his ox
KJV: or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox,
INT: his field his male his female his ox his donkey

Deuteronomy 12:12
HEB: וּבְנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וְעַבְדֵיכֶ֖ם וְאַמְהֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וְהַלֵּוִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר
NAS: your male and female servants,
KJV: and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite
INT: and daughters your male and female and the Levite who

Deuteronomy 12:18
HEB: וּבִתֶּ֙ךָ֙ וְעַבְדְּךָ֣ וַאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וְהַלֵּוִ֖י אֲשֶׁ֣ר
NAS: and your male and female servants,
KJV: and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite
INT: and daughter and your male and female and the Levite who

Deuteronomy 15:17
HEB: עוֹלָ֑ם וְאַ֥ף לַאֲמָתְךָ֖ תַּעֲשֶׂה־ כֵּֽן׃
NAS: likewise to your maidservant.
KJV: for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do
INT: forever Also to your maidservant shall do likewise

56 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 519
56 Occurrences

’ā·māh — 1 Occ.
’ă·mā·ṯāh — 1 Occ.
’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā — 16 Occ.
’ă·mā·ṯî — 1 Occ.
’ă·mā·ṯōw — 6 Occ.
’am·hō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
hā·’ā·māh — 3 Occ.
hā·’ă·mā·hōṯ — 2 Occ.
la·’ă·mā·ṯə·ḵā — 4 Occ.
lə·’ā·māh — 1 Occ.
wa·’ă·mā·ṯə·ḵā — 8 Occ.
wa·’ă·mā·ṯî — 1 Occ.
wa·’ă·mā·ṯōw — 2 Occ.
wə·’ā·māh — 1 Occ.
wə·’am·hō·ṯay — 1 Occ.
wə·’am·hō·ṯāw — 1 Occ.
wə·’am·hō·ṯê·ḵem — 1 Occ.
wə·’am·hō·ṯe·hā — 1 Occ.
wə·’am·hō·ṯê·hem — 2 Occ.
wə·la·’ă·mā·ṯe·ḵā — 2 Occ.