In the biblical context, the term "handmaid" refers to a female servant or maidservant, often in a position of subservience within a household. Handmaids are mentioned throughout the Scriptures, serving various roles and functions, particularly in the patriarchal societies of the Old Testament.

Old Testament References

The concept of handmaids is prominently featured in the narratives of the patriarchs. One of the earliest mentions is found in the account of Abraham and Sarah. Sarah, being barren, gives her Egyptian maidservant Hagar to Abraham as a concubine to bear a child on her behalf. 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, 'Look now, the LORD has prevented me from having children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.'"

Similarly, the account of Jacob includes the use of handmaids. Leah and Rachel, Jacob's wives, each had maidservants, Zilpah and Bilhah, respectively. These handmaids were given to Jacob as concubines to bear children, contributing to the twelve tribes of Israel. Genesis 30:3-4 records Rachel's words: "Then she said, 'Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Go and sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, and through her I too can build a family.' So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her."

Role and Status

Handmaids in biblical times were often considered property of their mistresses, and their primary role was to serve the household. They could be elevated to the status of concubines, as seen in the cases of Hagar, Zilpah, and Bilhah, but they remained under the authority of their mistresses. The children born to handmaids were considered legitimate heirs, though their status could be secondary to those born to the wives.

The status of handmaids reflects the social and legal structures of ancient Near Eastern cultures, where slavery and servitude were common. Despite their lower status, handmaids could play significant roles in the unfolding of God's covenantal promises, as seen in the narratives of Hagar and the sons of Jacob.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "handmaid" is less frequently used but appears in contexts that highlight humility and service. Mary, the mother of Jesus, refers to herself as the "handmaid of the Lord" in Luke 1:38 : "I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May it happen to me according to your word." This usage underscores a voluntary submission to God's will, reflecting a spiritual posture of obedience and faithfulness.

Theological Implications

The presence of handmaids in biblical narratives often serves to illustrate themes of faith, obedience, and the unfolding of divine plans through unexpected means. The accounts of Hagar, Zilpah, and Bilhah demonstrate how God can work through societal norms and personal struggles to fulfill His promises. The humility and service associated with handmaids also find resonance in the New Testament's call to servanthood and submission to God's will.

In summary, handmaids in the Bible are emblematic of the complex social dynamics of ancient times, yet they also serve as instruments in the divine narrative, pointing to God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His purposes through all people, regardless of their social status.519. amah -- a maid, handmaid
... Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a maid, handmaid NASB Word Usage female
(15), female servant (4), female slave (2), handmaid (2), handmaids (1), maid ...
/hebrew/519.htm - 6k

How it was Indicated by a Light from Heaven Where the Bodies of ...
... they desired to be buried and a cemetery to be made, when the same affliction should
fall upon that part of the monastery in which the handmaids of the Lord ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap vii how it was.htm

Letter to a Young Widow.
... able to look out a little through the mist, and to open your ears to those who attempt
to comfort you, I also would second the words of your handmaids by some ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letter to a young widow.htm

But they Think Within Themselves that they Show Very Great ...
... Therefore she herself bears them in her own womb and in the womb of her handmaids,
by virtue of the same sacraments, as though by virtue of the seed of her ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 10 13 but.htm

Of the Life and Death of the Abbess Hilda. [614-680 AD ]
... disease turned inwards, her last day came, and about cockcrow, having received the
voyage provision of Holy Housel, and called together the handmaids of Christ ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxiii of the life.htm

Concerning Jacob's Flight into Mesopotamia, by Reason of the Fear ...
... gone, he took Rachel to wife. 8. Now each of these had handmaids, by their
father's donation. Zilpha was handmaid to Lea, and Bilha ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 19 concerning jacobs flight.htm

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
... ad hl p.5)"viz., that the subsequent words, "Your sons, your daughters, your old
men, your young men, the servants, the handmaids," contain a specification ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/exposition of chap iii ii.htm

Introductory Note to the Epistles of Ignatius
... of a good athlete to be bruised and to prevail.7. Consider the times: look for Him
who is above time.8. Slight not the menservants and the handmaids.9. Let ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the ephesians/introductory note to the epistles.htm

A Free Grace Promise
... When the Spirit was poured out upon the servants and the handmaids, and sons and
daughters began to prophesy, it was clear that the wondrous time had come ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/a free grace promise.htm

The Holy Spirit of Promise
... daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall
see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter iv the holy spirit.htm

No Doubt the Apostle Admonishes the Romans to be Subject to all ...
... is making an appeal in behalf of a good life, under the view also of their being
as it were assistants bestowed upon righteousness, as it were handmaids of the ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter xiv no doubt the.htm

Maids (28 Occurrences)
... Genesis 32:22 He rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two handmaids,
and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford of the Jabbok. ...
/m/maids.htm - 14k

Subjection (40 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 34:11 but afterwards they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids,
whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection ...
/s/subjection.htm - 18k

Leah (30 Occurrences)
... Although Leah was placed between the handmaids in the front, and Rachel with her
son Joseph in the rear, she still cannot have derived much comfort from her ...
/l/leah.htm - 19k

Liberated (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 34:11 But afterwards they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids,
whom they had liberated, to return, and brought them into subjection for ...
/l/liberated.htm - 7k

Enslaved (18 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 34:11 but afterwards they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids,
whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection ...
/e/enslaved.htm - 12k

Distinguished (14 Occurrences)
... daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, "How glorious the king of Israel
was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his ...
/d/distinguished.htm - 11k

Songstresses (5 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:65 apart from their servants and their handmaids; these 'are' seven thousand
three hundred thirty and seven: and of them 'are' singers and songstresses ...
/s/songstresses.htm - 8k

Singers (41 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:65 apart from their servants and their handmaids; these 'are' seven thousand
three hundred thirty and seven: and of them 'are' singers and songstresses ...
/s/singers.htm - 23k

Female (95 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 34:11 but afterwards they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids,
whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection ...
/f/female.htm - 38k

Rachel (42 Occurrences)
... men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two handmaids.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis ...
/r/rachel.htm - 24k

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