Topical Encyclopedia A bond-woman, also referred to as a handmaid or maidservant, is a female servant or slave in biblical times. The term is often used in the context of ancient Near Eastern societies, where slavery was a common practice. In the Bible, bond-women are frequently mentioned in narratives that highlight their roles within households and their interactions with the patriarchs and matriarchs of Israel.One of the most notable bond-women in the Bible is Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. In Genesis 16, Sarah, who was barren at the time, gave Hagar to Abraham as a concubine to bear a child on her behalf. This was a customary practice in ancient cultures when a wife could not conceive. Hagar bore Abraham a son, Ishmael, which led to tension and conflict within the household. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event: "So after Abram had been living in Canaan for ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife" (Genesis 16:3). The account of Hagar and Ishmael continues in Genesis 21, where Sarah, having given birth to Isaac, demands that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. God reassures Abraham, saying, "Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned" (Genesis 21:12). This narrative underscores the complex dynamics between free women and bond-women, as well as the divine purposes that unfold through these relationships. Another significant mention of a bond-woman is found in the account of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. Both Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob, had maidservants, Zilpah and Bilhah, respectively. When Leah and Rachel faced challenges in bearing children, they each gave their maidservants to Jacob as concubines to bear children on their behalf (Genesis 30:3-10). These children became part of the twelve tribes of Israel, illustrating how bond-women played crucial roles in the lineage of God's chosen people. The Apostle Paul references the concept of a bond-woman in his epistle to the Galatians, using the account of Hagar and Sarah as an allegory to contrast the old covenant of the law with the new covenant of grace. Paul writes, "But the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman was born through the promise" (Galatians 4:23). This allegory serves to emphasize the freedom found in Christ as opposed to the bondage of the law. In biblical law, bond-women were afforded certain protections and rights. For instance, Exodus 21:7-11 outlines regulations concerning the treatment of female servants, ensuring they were not to be mistreated or dismissed without provision. These laws reflect a measure of dignity and care for bond-women within the covenant community. Overall, the role of bond-women in the Bible is multifaceted, involving themes of servitude, family dynamics, and divine intervention. Their accounts contribute to the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan and the unfolding of His promises to His people. Greek 3814. paidiske -- a young girl, maidservant ... of pais Definition a young girl, maidservant NASB Word Usage bondwoman (5), servant-girl (4), servant-girls (1), slave-girl (2), slaves* (1), women (1). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3814.htm - 6k 1399. doule -- female slave, bondmaid. Strong's Hebrew 8198. shiphchah -- maid, maidservant... 1), slave girl (1), slaves* (4), women (1). handmaiden, bondwoman, woman-servant. Feminine from an unused root meaning to spread ... /hebrew/8198.htm - 6k 519. amah -- a maid, handmaid Library John Chapter iii. 21-Jun Of the Children of the Flesh and the Children of the Promise. God who Appeared to Moses is Distinguished from God the Father. The Old Testament is Properly one Thing --The Old Instrument ... Of the Disruption of the Kingdom of Israel, by which the Perpetual ... Examination of this Point. The Phrase "Old Testament" Used in Two ... Letter clxvii . To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with ... Scriptural Uses of the General Words for Prayer John Chapter ii. 23-25; iii. 5-Jan The Two Covenants --In Christian Experience Thesaurus Bondwoman (17 Occurrences)...Bondwoman (17 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Galatians 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. (KJV NAS) ... /b/bondwoman.htm - 11k Bond-woman (6 Occurrences) Bondwoman's (1 Occurrence) Freewoman (4 Occurrences) Free-woman (4 Occurrences) Woman's (20 Occurrences) Bondwomen (10 Occurrences) Nevertheless (153 Occurrences) Hagar (15 Occurrences) Share (138 Occurrences) Resources In Leviticus chapter 12, why is a woman unclean longer if she gives birth to a daughter than if she gives birth to a son? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about adultery? | GotQuestions.org What is the definition of marriage? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Bond-woman (6 Occurrences)Galatians 4:23 Galatians 4:30 Galatians 4:31 Genesis 21:10 Genesis 21:12 Genesis 21:13 Subtopics Related Terms |
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