In biblical times, a maid-servant, often referred to as a female servant or handmaid, played a significant role within the household structure. The term "maid-servant" is used to describe a woman who serves in a domestic capacity, often under the authority of her master or mistress. The role and status of maid-servants can be gleaned from various passages throughout the Bible, reflecting the social and cultural norms of ancient Israelite society.

Old Testament Context

Maid-servants are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, where they are depicted as integral members of the household. In Genesis 16:1-2, we encounter Hagar, the Egyptian maid-servant of Sarai (later Sarah), who becomes a surrogate mother at Sarai's behest: "Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, 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.'" This passage highlights the complex relationships and social dynamics involving maid-servants, who could be called upon to fulfill roles beyond their typical duties.

In Exodus 20:10, the maid-servant is included in the commandment to observe the Sabbath rest: "but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates." This inclusion underscores the recognition of maid-servants as part of the household community, deserving of rest and religious observance.

Legal Protections and Social Status

The Mosaic Law provided certain protections for maid-servants, reflecting a measure of concern for their welfare. In Exodus 21:7-11, specific regulations are given regarding the treatment of female servants: "If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do. If she is displeasing to her master who has selected her for himself, he must let her be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her." These laws indicate an awareness of the potential for mistreatment and the need for legal safeguards.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, maid-servants continue to appear, though less frequently. In Luke 1:38, Mary, the mother of Jesus, refers to herself as the "Lord's servant" (or handmaid) in her response to the angel Gabriel: "I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May it happen to me according to your word." This self-identification as a servant reflects humility and submission to God's will, a theme consistent with the broader biblical portrayal of servanthood.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The role of maid-servants in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing domestic duties, familial obligations, and spiritual significance. They are often depicted as vulnerable individuals within the social hierarchy, yet they also possess agency and are sometimes pivotal in the unfolding of God's plans, as seen in the accounts of Hagar and Mary. The biblical narrative acknowledges their humanity and dignity, offering insights into the values and ethics of ancient Israelite society.

Overall, maid-servants in the Bible serve as a testament to the complex interplay of social roles, legal structures, and divine purpose, illustrating the broader biblical themes of service, obedience, and redemption.

John Chapter xviii. 13-27.
... is it thus that one's life is laid down for the Lord, when one is frightened at
a maid-servant's voice, lest it should compel us to the sacrifice? ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxiii john chapter xviii.htm

Peter's First Sermon
... bold champion of Jesus, this undaunted arraigner of a nation's crimes, was the man
who, a few weeks before, had quailed before a maid-servant's saucy tongue! ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters first sermon.htm

The First Blast of Tempest
... The last time that Peter had been in the judgment-hall his courage had oozed out
of him at the prick of a maid-servant's sharp tongue, but now he fronts all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the first blast of tempest.htm

The Sleeping Apostle
... palace"no safe place, and bad company for him by the coal fire"and then his courage
oozing out at his fingers' ends as soon as a maidservant's sharp tongue ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the sleeping apostle.htm

Christ's Look
... What did a maid-servant's flippant tongue matter to Peter then? And how wretchedly
inadequate the reason for his denial looked when Christ's eye fell upon him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/christs look.htm

The Arrest
... How much better if he could have drawn the spiritual sword and cut on the
ear which was to be betrayed by a maid-servant's taunt! ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter i the arrest.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... And if he smite out his man servant's tooth or his maid servant's tooth, he
shall let him go free for his tooth's sake. Exodus 21, 26, 27. ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... downwards. Anna had also come to the Temple with her maidservant, who was
carrying the doves for sacrifice in wicker baskets. She ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

Maidservant's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Maidservant's (1 Occurrence). Exodus 21:27 And
if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's...
/m/maidservant's.htm - 6k

Maid-servant's (2 Occurrences)
Maid-servant's. Maidservant's, Maid-servant's. Mail . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV WBS). Maidservant's, Maid-servant's. Mail . Reference Bible.
/m/maid-servant's.htm - 6k

Mail (11 Occurrences)

/m/mail.htm - 11k

Maid-servants (25 Occurrences)
... 16 And -- ye turn back, and pollute My name, and ye cause each his man-servant and
each his maid-servant, whom he ... Maidservants, Maid-servants. Maidservant's . ...
/m/maid-servants.htm - 14k

Free-woman's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Free-woman's (1 Occurrence). Galatians 4:31 then, brethren,
we are not a maid-servant's children, but the free-woman's. (YLT). ...
/f/free-woman's.htm - 6k

Manservant's (1 Occurrence)
... Manservant's (1 Occurrence). Exodus 21:27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth,
or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake. ...
/m/manservant's.htm - 6k

Manservant (14 Occurrences)
... man'sur-vant (`ebhedh): A male slave; usually coupled with maidservant or female
slave (Genesis 12:16 Exodus 20:10 1 Samuel 8:16 Job 31:13 Luke 12:45). ...
/m/manservant.htm - 12k

Man-servant (18 Occurrences)
... Genesis 32:5 and I have ox, and ass, flock, and man-servant, and maid-servant, and
I send to declare to my lord, to find grace in his eyes.' (YLT). ...
/m/man-servant.htm - 12k

Man-servant's (1 Occurrence)
... Exodus 21:27 And if he smite out his man-servant's tooth, or his maid-servant's
tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake. (ASV WBS). ...
/m/man-servant's.htm - 6k

What are the four Servant Songs in Isaiah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Leah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How many prophecies did Jesus fulfill? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus