Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the term "servant girl" refers to a young female servant who typically worked in a household setting. These individuals often held low social status and were tasked with various domestic duties. Despite their humble position, servant girls occasionally played significant roles in biblical narratives, offering insights into the social and spiritual dynamics of their time.Old Testament References While the Old Testament does not frequently mention servant girls explicitly, the concept of servitude is prevalent. Servant girls would have been part of the broader category of servants or slaves, who were integral to the household economy in ancient Israel. The Mosaic Law provided certain protections for servants, including the Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:10) and the Year of Jubilee, which allowed for the release of Hebrew servants (Leviticus 25:39-41). New Testament References The New Testament provides more specific instances involving servant girls, highlighting their roles in key events: 1. Peter's Denial: One of the most notable mentions of a servant girl occurs during the trial of Jesus. In the courtyard of the high priest, a servant girl recognized Peter as a follower of Jesus. Her questioning led to Peter's first denial of Christ: "Then a servant girl came to him and said, 'You also were with Jesus the Galilean.' But he denied it before them all, saying, 'I do not know what you are talking about'" (Matthew 26:69-70). This encounter underscores the servant girl's role in the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy regarding Peter's denial. 2. Rhoda: Another significant mention is Rhoda, a servant girl in the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. When Peter was miraculously released from prison, he went to Mary's house, where Rhoda answered the door. In her excitement, she forgot to open the gate and ran to announce Peter's presence: "When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, 'Peter is at the gate!'" (Acts 12:14). Rhoda's actions reflect the joy and surprise of the early Christian community at Peter's deliverance. Cultural and Theological Insights Servant girls in biblical times were often young and vulnerable, yet their interactions with key figures in Scripture reveal the profound impact they could have on unfolding events. Their presence in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the unexpected ways He can use individuals, regardless of their social standing, to fulfill His purposes. The accounts of servant girls also highlight themes of recognition and testimony. In Peter's denial, the servant girl's recognition of him as a disciple of Jesus serves as a catalyst for a pivotal moment in Peter's spiritual journey. Similarly, Rhoda's testimony of Peter's release, despite initial disbelief from others, underscores the importance of faith and the power of God to intervene in miraculous ways. In summary, while servant girls may appear as minor characters within the biblical text, their roles are integral to the narrative and theological fabric of Scripture, offering valuable lessons on faith, recognition, and the workings of divine providence. Topical Bible Verses Acts 12:13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to listen, named Rhoda. Topicalbible.org Luke 22:56 Matthew 26:69 Greek 4498. Rhode -- Rhoda, a servant girl ... Rhoda, a servant girl. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Rhode Phonetic Spelling: (hrod'-ay) Short Definition: Rhoda Definition: Rhoda, a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4498.htm - 6k 3814. paidiske -- a young girl, maidservant 3816. pais -- a child, boy, youth Strong's Hebrew 5288. naar -- a boy, lad, youth, retainer... Of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age) -- babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man). see HEBREW na'ar. 5287, 5288. ... /hebrew/5288.htm - 6k 8198. shiphchah -- maid, maidservant Library A Slave Girl who Helped Her Master Strong Christians. Rhoda Sanctified Commonplaces Theater-Going. Despised and Rejected of Men. March the Twenty-Fifth the Fear of Man Home and the Home-Maker. The Glory of Penitents and Pious People. The Ideal Man Resources What does it mean to be a servant of Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is servant evangelism? | GotQuestions.org What is a bondservant / bond-servant? | GotQuestions.org Servant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Servant: Bond by the Roman Centurion Servant: Bond used As Soldiers by Abraham Servant: Bond: An Abandoned Sick Man Servant: Bond: Bond Service Threatened, As a National Punishment, for the Disobedience of Israel Servant: Bond: Bought and Sold Servant: Bond: Captive Bondservants Shared by Priests and Levites Servant: Bond: Captives of War Became Slaves Servant: Bond: Children of Defaulting Debtors Sold As Servant: Bond: David Erroneously Supposed to be a Fugitive Slave Servant: Bond: Defaulting Debtors Made Servant: Bond: Degrading Influences of Bondage Exemplified by Cowardice Servant: Bond: Emancipation of Servant: Bond: Equal Status of, With Other Disciples of Jesus Servant: Bond: Freedmen Called "Libertines" Servant: Bond: Fugitive, not to be Returned to his Master Servant: Bond: Hagar, Commanded by an Angel to Return to Sarah (Sarai), Her Owner Servant: Bond: Kidnapping Forbidden Servant: Bond: Kindness To, Commanded Servant: Bond: Laws of Moses Concerning Servant: Bond: Must be Circumcised Servant: Bond: Must Enjoy Religious Privileges With the Master's Household Servant: Bond: Must Have Rest on the Sabbath Servant: Bond: Onesimus Interceded For, by Paul Servant: Bond: Owned by Priests Servant: Bond: Rights of Those Born to a Master Servant: Bond: Slaves Owned Slaves Servant: Bond: Sought by Shimei Servant: Bond: Taken in Concubinage Servant: Bond: The Master Could Marry, or Give in Marriage Servant: Bond: Thieves Punished by Being Made Servant: Bond: Voluntary Servitude of Servant: Good of the Roman Centurion Servant: Good: Servants in the Parable of the Pounds and the Parable of the Talents Servant: Hired: Await Employment in the Marketplace Servant: Hired: The Father of the Prodigal Son Servant: Hired: The Laborers of a Vineyard Servant: Hired: The Rebellious Son Servant: Hired: Treatment of, More Considerate than That of Slaves Servant: Hired: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Servant: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Pounds Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful in the Parable of the Vineyard Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Abimelech Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Abraham and Lot Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Absalom Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Amon Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Joash Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Job Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Shimei Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful of Ziba Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Gehazi Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Jeroboam Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Onesimus Servant: Wicked and Unfaithful: Zimri Related Terms Woman-servant (12 Occurrences) Servant-girls (12 Occurrences) Fellow-servant (6 Occurrences) Brother-servant (2 Occurrences) |
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