Lexical Summary abduth: Servitude, bondage, slavery Original Word: עַבְדוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bondage From abad; servitude -- bondage. see HEBREW abad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom abad Definition servitude, bondage NASB Translation bondage (2), slavery (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עַבְדוֺת] noun feminine servitude, bondage; — suffix עַבְדֻתֵנוּ Ezekiel 9:8,9; עַבְדֻתָם Nehemiah 9:17 (compare Syriac  ). Topical Lexicon Scope and Nuance of the TermThe noun עַבְדוּת (ʿavdût) denotes a state of compulsory service—“bondage” or “servitude”—rather than voluntary work or dignified ministry. It stresses loss of autonomy and the condition of being subject to another power. Within Scripture the word functions less as a legal designation and more as a theological reminder of dependence on God for deliverance. Occurrences in Canonical Context Ezra 9:8 and Ezra 9:9 record the first-person prayer of Ezra upon discovering intermarriage among the returned exiles. Twice he acknowledges that although Judah has been granted “a remnant and a firm place,” the people remain “in bondage” (ʿavdût) to foreign kings. The repetition intensifies the contrast between present subjection and earlier promises of restoration. Nehemiah 9:17 recites Israel’s national story: “You gave them over to be ruled by their enemies,” a narrative summary that labels the resultant status “bondage.” Together the passages tie post-exilic dependence on Persia to Israel’s earlier Egyptian captivity, underscoring a cycle of rebellion–oppression–deliverance. Historical Background The term surfaces during the Persian period (fifth century BC). Although Cyrus had authorized the return and temple reconstruction, Judah remained a client state, paying tribute and lacking a native monarchy. Ezra and Nehemiah’s generation therefore lived with both freedom to worship and lingering political servitude. Their prayers confess that any liberty enjoyed is a concession of grace, not self-secured independence. Theological Significance 1. Reminder of Sin’s Consequences Servitude stands as tangible evidence that covenant infidelity leads to exile and loss of sovereignty (Leviticus 26:14-46; Deuteronomy 28:47-48). The word ʿavdût embodies the prophetic warnings fulfilled. 2. Testimony to Preserving Grace In Ezra 9:8 the petition acknowledges: “But now, for a brief moment, favor has been shown from the LORD our God… to give us a remnant and to set up a peg in His holy place.” Even amid bondage, God leaves a remnant and space for worship, illustrating the balance of justice and mercy. 3. Foreshadowing Ultimate Redemption Post-exilic bondage anticipates the deeper spiritual slavery enslaving humanity (John 8:34; Romans 6:16). By depicting a people simultaneously restored yet still captive, the Old Testament sets the stage for the Messiah who alone can proclaim “liberty to the captives” (Isaiah 61:1; fulfilled Luke 4:18). Ministry Implications • Humble Gratitude: Believers today acknowledge freedoms as divine gifts, not entitlements, mirroring Ezra’s gratitude within servitude. Related Biblical Concepts Bondage in Egypt (Exodus 1-12) • Jubilee release (Leviticus 25) • Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 25:11) • Spiritual slavery to sin (Romans 6:17-18) • Freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1) Through its sparse but strategic occurrences, עַבְדוּת calls every generation to remember that true freedom is the gift of God, granted finally and fully in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations בְּעַבְדֻתֵֽנוּ׃ בעבדתנו׃ וּבְעַבְדֻתֵ֔נוּ ובעבדתנו לְעַבְדֻתָ֖ם לעבדתם bə‘aḇḏuṯênū bə·‘aḇ·ḏu·ṯê·nū beavduTenu lə‘aḇḏuṯām lə·‘aḇ·ḏu·ṯām leavduTam ū·ḇə·‘aḇ·ḏu·ṯê·nū ūḇə‘aḇḏuṯênū uveavduTenuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 9:8 HEB: מִֽחְיָ֥ה מְעַ֖ט בְּעַבְדֻתֵֽנוּ׃ NAS: us a little reviving in our bondage. KJV: us a little reviving in our bondage. INT: reviving A little our bondage Ezra 9:9 Nehemiah 9:17 3 Occurrences |
    |