A bond-maid, also referred to as a female servant or handmaid, is a woman who serves in a position of servitude, often within a household. The concept of a bond-maid is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern social and legal systems, which are reflected in the biblical texts. The role and treatment of bond-maids are addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, providing insight into their status and the ethical considerations surrounding their lives.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, bond-maids are frequently mentioned in the context of household service and familial relationships. One of the earliest references is found in Genesis 16, where Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant of Sarai (later Sarah), becomes a central figure. Sarai, unable to bear children, gives Hagar to her husband Abram (later Abraham) as a wife to bear a child on her behalf. This practice, though culturally accepted at the time, highlights the complex dynamics and potential for conflict within households involving bond-maids. Genesis 16:1-2 states, "Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Please now, the LORD has prevented me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.'"

The Mosaic Law provides specific regulations regarding the treatment of bond-maids. In Exodus 21:7-11, the law outlines the rights of a female servant who is sold by her father. It emphasizes her protection and fair treatment, ensuring she is not treated as a mere commodity. If a master takes her as a wife or gives her to his son, she is to be treated with the rights of a daughter. If these conditions are not met, she is to be set free without payment.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of servitude, including that of bond-maids, is addressed within the broader context of Christian conduct and relationships. While the New Testament does not focus specifically on bond-maids, it emphasizes the principles of love, equality, and mutual respect among all believers, regardless of social status. Galatians 3:28 declares, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the transformative nature of the Gospel, which transcends social divisions and calls for a new understanding of human relationships.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The presence of bond-maids in biblical narratives reflects the historical and cultural realities of the ancient world. While the Bible acknowledges the existence of servitude, it also provides a framework for the ethical treatment of servants, emphasizing justice and compassion. The biblical texts challenge readers to consider the dignity and worth of every individual, created in the image of God.

Theologically, the role of bond-maids in Scripture can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual truths. For instance, the account of Hagar and Sarah is used allegorically by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 4:21-31 to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living in the freedom of God's promise. This allegory highlights the transition from bondage to freedom, a central theme in the Christian faith.

In summary, the concept of a bond-maid in the Bible serves as a lens through which to explore themes of servitude, justice, and redemption. The biblical narrative calls for a recognition of the inherent value of every person and the pursuit of relationships characterized by love and respect.1399. doule -- female slave, bondmaid.
... 1398, 1399. doule. 1400 . female slave, bondmaid. ... Word Origin fem. of doulos
Definition female slave, bondmaid. female slave, bondwoman ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1399.htm - 6k

3814. paidiske -- a young girl, maidservant
... bondmaid, damsel, maiden. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, ie (specially), a
female slave or servant -- bondmaid(-woman), damsel, maid(-en). see GREEK pais. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3814.htm - 6k

519. amah -- a maid, handmaid
... handmaid, bondwoman, maidservant. Apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or
female slave -- (hand-)bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant). 518, 519. ...
/hebrew/519.htm - 6k

Another Instance of Marcion's Tampering with St. Paul's Text the ...
... [5350] "For (it is written) that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond maid, the
other by a free woman; but he who was of the bond maid was born after the ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter iv another instance of marcions.htm

For that Both History of the Old Testament...
... For the same Paul says to the Galatians, "For it is written, that Abraham
had two sons, one of a bond-maid, and one of a free woman. ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 8 for that both.htm

But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the ...
... For though it be written, "Cast out the bondmaid and her son, for the son of the
bondmaid shall not be heir with my son Isaac:" [2701] and though God said to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /23 but if moreover any.htm

The Two Covenants: their Relation
... Chapter II. The Two Covenants: Their Relation. "It is written, that Abraham
had two sons, one by the bondmaid, and one by the freewoman. ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter ii the two covenants .htm

Of the Three-Fold Meaning of the Prophecies, which are to be ...
... Therefore they pertain partly to the bond maid who gendereth to bondage, that is,
the earthly Jerusalem, which is in bondage with her children; but partly to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 3 of the three-fold meaning.htm

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the
other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondmaid was ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

After Eutropius Having Been Found Outside the Church had Been ...
... sometimes a bride, sometimes a daughter, sometimes a virgin, sometimes a bondmaid,
sometimes a ... maid is not the bride: the queen is not the bond-maid: yet the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii after eutropius having.htm

The Content of Prayer: Its Four Moods
... unto the Lord, and wept exceedingly, and vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of Hosts,
if you will indeed have regard unto the humiliation of your bondmaid,'" and so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter ix the content of.htm

The Patriarchs.
... One son, Ishmael, had by this time been born to him of the bondmaid Hagar; but the
child of promise, Isaac, the son of his wife Sarah, was not given till he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ii the patriarchs.htm

Authorship of the Pentateuch.
... For it is written, that Abraham had two sons; the one by a bond-maid, the other
by a free woman," etc., Gal.4:21, seq., where the reference is to the narrative ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter ix authorship of the.htm

Bondmaid (18 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BONDMAID. ...Bondmaid (18 Occurrences). Luke 1:38 And Mary
said, Behold the bondmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to thy word. ...
/b/bondmaid.htm - 13k

Bond-maid (2 Occurrences)
Bond-maid. Bondmaid, Bond-maid. Bondmaids . Multi-Version Concordance
Bond-maid (2 Occurrences). ... (WBS). Bondmaid, Bond-maid. Bondmaids . Reference
/b/bond-maid.htm - 7k

Bondmaids (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Jeremiah 34:16 but ye have turned and profaned my name, and caused every
man his bondman, and every man his bondmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their ...
/b/bondmaids.htm - 8k

Exact (31 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 34:9 that every man should let his bondman, and every man his bondmaid,
the Hebrew and the Hebrewess, go free, that none should exact service of them ...
/e/exact.htm - 18k

Handmaid (77 Occurrences)
... hand'-mad: Which appears often in the Old Testament, but seldom in the New Testament,
like bondmaid, is used to translate two Hebrew words (shiphchah, and 'amah ...
/h/handmaid.htm - 34k

Inquisition (5 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid,
betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; they ...
/i/inquisition.htm - 9k

Inquiry (15 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid,
designated for a man, and not at all redeemed, nor was freedom given her; there ...
/i/inquiry.htm - 11k

Free-woman (4 Occurrences)
... Free-woman (4 Occurrences). Galatians 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two
sons; the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman. (WBS YLT). ...
/f/free-woman.htm - 7k

Freewoman (4 Occurrences)
... Freewoman (4 Occurrences). Galatians 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two
sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. (KJV ASV). ...
/f/freewoman.htm - 8k

Redeemed (78 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid,
betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she ...
/r/redeemed.htm - 31k

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