Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the term "maid" referred to a female servant or a young unmarried woman. The role and status of maids varied significantly depending on the cultural and historical context within the biblical narrative. The Hebrew word often translated as "maid" is "שִׁפְחָה" (shiphchah) or "אָמָה" (amah), and in Greek, it is "παῖς" (pais) or "δούλη" (doule).
Old Testament References1.
Hagar: One of the most notable maids in the Old Testament is Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. When Sarah was unable to conceive, she gave Hagar to Abraham as a concubine to bear a child. This led to the birth of Ishmael (
Genesis 16:1-4). Hagar's account highlights the complex social dynamics and personal struggles faced by maids in ancient times.
2.
Leah and Rachel's Maids: Bilhah and Zilpah were the maidservants of Rachel and Leah, respectively. They were given to Jacob as concubines to bear children on behalf of their mistresses, contributing to the twelve tribes of Israel (
Genesis 30:3-13). This practice underscores the importance of lineage and inheritance in biblical society.
3.
Ruth: Although not a maid in the traditional sense, Ruth, a Moabite widow, humbly referred to herself as a maidservant when she approached Boaz, a wealthy relative of her deceased husband, seeking protection and provision (
Ruth 2:13). Her account is a testament to loyalty, faith, and divine providence.
New Testament References1.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus: In the New Testament, Mary refers to herself as the "Lord's servant" or "maidservant" in her response to the angel Gabriel's announcement of the birth of Jesus (
Luke 1:38). This reflects her humility and willingness to submit to God's will.
2.
Peter's Denial: A maidservant played a role in the events leading to Peter's denial of Jesus. As Peter was in the courtyard of the high priest, a maid recognized him as a follower of Jesus, prompting his first denial (
Mark 14:66-68).
Cultural and Social ContextIn biblical times, maids often held a subordinate position within the household. They were responsible for various domestic duties and could be considered part of the extended family, yet they lacked the rights and privileges of free members. The treatment of maids varied, with some experiencing kindness and others facing harsh conditions.
The biblical narrative occasionally highlights the faith and character of maids, demonstrating that their social status did not preclude them from playing significant roles in God's plan. The accounts of Hagar, Bilhah, Zilpah, and others illustrate the complex interplay of power, family, and faith in the ancient world.
Moral and Theological ImplicationsThe presence of maids in the Bible often serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of justice, mercy, and divine intervention. The narratives involving maids frequently challenge the social norms of the time, emphasizing God's concern for all individuals, regardless of their social standing. These accounts encourage believers to reflect on the values of humility, service, and faithfulness in their own lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman; esp., a girl; a virgin; a maiden.
2. (n.) A man who has not had sexual intercourse.
3. (n.) A female servant.
4. (n.) The female of a ray or skate, esp. of the gray skate (Raia batis), and of the thornback (R. clavata).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MAID; MAIDENmad, mad'-'n: Used in the King James Version in the sense of a girl or young female; of an unmarried woman or virgin, and of a female servant or handmaid. Thus, it translates several Hebrew words:
(1) The more generic word is na`arah, "girl," feminine form of the common na`ar, "boy" (1 Samuel 9:11 2 Kings 5:2, 4 Esther 2:4, 7 Job 41:5 Amos 2:7) In several places masculine form na`ar, with feminine form of verb rendered "damsel" (Genesis 24:14, 16, 28, 55; Genesis 34:3, 12 Deuteronomy 22:15); compare he pais (Luke 8:51, 54); see also paidiske, diminutive (Sirach 41:22; Mark 14:66, 69 Luke 12:45; korasion, Septuagint for na`arah, "maid," in Matthew 9:24 with Job 6:12; Susanna verses 15, 19).
(2) The Hebrew `almah, also rendered "maid," refers to a woman of marriageable age (Exodus 2:8 Proverbs 30:19), whether married or not, whether a virgin or not. The same word is translated "virgin" in several places (Genesis 24:43 the King James Version; So 13; 6:08; Isaiah 7:14).
(3) The word bethulah, a common Hebrew word for "virgin," a chaste woman Septuagint parthenos), is frequently rendered "maid" and "maiden" (Exodus 22:16 Judges 19:24 2 Chronicles 36:17 Psalm 78:63; Psalm 148:12 Jeremiah 51:22 Lamentations 5:11 Ezekiel 9:6; Ezekiel 44:22 Zechariah 9:17; compare Deuteronomy 22:14, 17, having "the marks (tokens) of virginity"); bethulim, rendered "maid." See VIRGIN.
(4) Two Hebrew words covering the idea of service, handmaid, handmaiden, and in numerous passages so rendered:
(a) 'amah, translated "maid" (Genesis 30:3 Exodus 2:5; Exodus 21:20, 26 Leviticus 25:6 Ezra 2:65 Job 19:15 Nahum 2:7);
(b) shiphchah, "a family servant," "a handmaid," so rendered in numerous passages ("maid," "maiden," Genesis 16:2;; 29:24, 29; 30:7, 9, 10, 12, 18; Isaiah 24:2 Psalm 123:2 Ecclesiastes 2:7). In the King James Version they are variously translated "maid," "handmaid," etc.
(5) The rather rare word habra, "favorite slave," is rendered "maid" in Judith 10:2, 5; 13:09; 16:23; Additions to Esther 15:2, 7.
(6) doule, "female slave," in the King James Version Judith 12:49 (the Revised Version (British and American) "servant").
Maidservant means simply a female slave in the different positions which such a woman naturally occupies. They were the property of their masters; sometimes held the position of concubines (Genesis 31:33); daughters might be sold by their fathers into this condition (Exodus 21:7). It is regrettable that no uniform translation was adopted in the King James Version. And in the Revised Version (British and American) compare Tobit 3:7; Judith 10:10; Sirach 41:22.
"Maidservants" replaces "maidens" of the King James Version in Luke 12:45. Compare Job 31:13.
Edward Bagby Pollard
Greek
3814. paidiske -- a young girl, maidservant ... maidservant. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paidiske Phonetic Spelling:
(pahee-dis'-kay) Short Definition: a female slave, maidservant,
maid.
... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3814.htm - 6k1399. doule -- female slave, bondmaid.
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: doule Phonetic Spelling: (doo'-lay)
Short Definition: a female slave, bonds-maid Definition: a female slave ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1399.htm - 6k
3816. pais -- a child, boy, youth
... analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a child; specially, a slave or servant
(especially a minister to a king; and by eminence to God) -- child, maid(-en), ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3816.htm - 7k
2877. korasion -- girl
... damsel, girl. Neuter of a presumed derivative of kore (a maiden); a (little) girl --
damsel, maid. (korasion) -- 5 Occurrences. (korasio) -- 3 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2877.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
519. amah -- a maid, handmaid... 518, 519. amah. 520 . a
maid, handmaid. Transliteration: amah Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-maw') Short Definition: maidservant. Word Origin
... /hebrew/519.htm - 6k 8198. shiphchah -- maid, maidservant
... 8197c, 8198. shiphchah. 8199 . maid, maidservant. Transliteration: shiphchah
Phonetic Spelling: (shif-khaw') Short Definition: maid. ...
/hebrew/8198.htm - 6k
1904. Hagar -- Sarah's Eg. maid, the mother of Ishmael
... 1903, 1904. Hagar. 1905 . Sarah's Eg. maid, the mother of Ishmael. Transliteration:
Hagar Phonetic Spelling: (haw-gawr') Short Definition: Hagar. ...
/hebrew/1904.htm - 6k
5959. almah -- a young woman, a virgin
... Word Origin fem. of elem Definition a young woman, a virgin NASB Word Usage girl
(1), maid (1), maiden (1), maidens (3), virgin (1). damsel, maid, virgin. ...
/hebrew/5959.htm - 6k
1330. bethulah -- a virgin
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a virgin NASB Word Usage maidens
(1), virgin (32), virgins (17). maid, virgin. Feminine ...
/hebrew/1330.htm - 6k
1331. bethulim -- virginity
... Word Origin from the same as bethulah Definition virginity NASB Word Usage evidence
of my virginity (1), virgin (5), virginity (4). maid, virginity. ...
/hebrew/1331.htm - 6k
5291. naarah -- a girl, maiden
... damsel, maiden, young woman. Feminine of na'ar; a girl (from infancy to adolescence) --
damsel, maid(-en), young (woman). see HEBREW na'ar. 5290, 5291. ...
/hebrew/5291.htm - 6k
8189. Shaarayim -- two cities in Isr.
... Shaaraim. Word Origin from the same as shaar Definition two cities in Isr.
NASB Word Usage maid (2), Shaaraim (3). Shaaraim. Dual ...
/hebrew/8189.htm - 6k
2153. Zilpah -- one of Jacob's wives
... Zilpah. : from an unused root apparently meaning to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant
dropping; Zilpah, Leah's maid -- Zilpah. 2152, 2153. Zilpah. 2154 . ...
/hebrew/2153.htm - 6k
Library
A Little Maid
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS A LITTLE MAID. ... Of all old stories, I hardly
know a better one than this of Naaman and the little maid from Samaria. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/a little maid.htm
The Little Captive Maid.
... THE LITTLE CAPTIVE MAID. ... And the King was told what the maid had said, and he sent
a letter to the King of Israel commanding him to cure Naaman of his leprosy. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the little captive maid.htm
A Little Jewish Maid.
... A LITTLE JEWISH MAID. Ben-hadad ... her messages. When her mistress washed
her hands, the little maid held the basin on bended knee. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/a little jewish maid.htm
The Maid of France, with visioned Eyes
... No. 104 The Maid of France, with visioned eyes. SAINTS, St. Jeanne d' Arc
The Maid of France, with visioned eyes. Rt. Rev. Msgr. ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 104 the maid of.htm
A Little Maid of Israel.
... THE OLD TESTAMENT CHAPTER XXIX. A LITTLE MAID OF ISRAEL. There was war ... flesh
away. The little maid said to her mistress one day,. "Would ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxix a little maid.htm
To Nanna, Daughter of Benincasa a Little Maid, Her Niece, in ...
... LETTERS TO NANNA, DAUGHTER OF BENINCASA A LITTLE MAID, HER NIECE, IN FLORENCE.
This tender and playful little letter, with its childlike ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to nanna daughter of benincasa.htm
Thou Shalt not Covet Thy Neighbor's House. Thou Shalt not Covet ...
... house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor
his maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not covet thy.htm
Let None of those who are on the Priestly List Possess any Woman ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon V. Let none of those who are on the
priestly list possess any woman or maid? Let none of those ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon v let none of.htm
Sie Ist Mir Lieb, Die Werthe Magd. Dear is to Me the Holy Maid.
... XXX. Sie ist mir lieb, die werthe Magd. Dear is to me the holy Maid. Founded on
the twelfth chapter of the Revelation. Melody, Wittenberg, 1545. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/xxx sie ist mir lieb.htm
And all the Multitude of the Gadarenes Entreated Him to Depart ...
... 23] teacher. [913] But Jesus heard, and said unto the father of the maid,
Fear not: but believe [24] only, and she shall live. [914 ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xii and all the.htm
Thesaurus
Maid (57 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) The female of a ray or skate, esp. of the gray skate (Raia batis), and of
the thornback (R. clavata). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MAID; MAIDEN.
.../m/maid.htm - 27kMaid-servants (25 Occurrences)
Maid-servants. Maidservants, Maid-servants. Maidservant's .
Multi-Version Concordance Maid-servants (25 Occurrences). ...
/m/maid-servants.htm - 14k
Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)
Maid-servant. Maidservant, Maid-servant. Maidservants .
Multi-Version Concordance Maid-servant (49 Occurrences). Luke ...
/m/maid-servant.htm - 22k
Maid's (2 Occurrences)
...Maid's (2 Occurrences). Exodus 21:26 "If a man strikes his servant's eye, or his
maid's eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake. (WEB) ...
/m/maid's.htm - 7k
Maid-child (1 Occurrence)
Maid-child. Maid, Maid-child. Maiden . Multi-Version Concordance
Maid-child (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 12:5 But if she ...
/m/maid-child.htm - 6k
Bond-maid (2 Occurrences)
Bond-maid. Bondmaid, Bond-maid. Bondmaids . Multi-Version
Concordance Bond-maid (2 Occurrences). Galatians 4:22 For ...
/b/bond-maid.htm - 7k
Maid-servant's (2 Occurrences)
Maid-servant's. Maidservant's, Maid-servant's. Mail . Multi-Version
Concordance Maid-servant's (2 Occurrences). Galatians ...
/m/maid-servant's.htm - 6k
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
Men-servants (22 Occurrences)
... Genesis 12:16 And he dealt well with Abram for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen,
and he-asses, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses, and ...
/m/men-servants.htm - 13k
Maidservants (28 Occurrences)
... Acts 2:18 and also upon My men-servants, and upon My maid-servants, in those days,
I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy; (See RSV). ...
/m/maidservants.htm - 15k
Resources
Who was Leah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian have a bachelor/bachelorette party? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the birth order of Jacob's thirteen children? | GotQuestions.orgMaid: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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