Topical Bible: Servants: Divided Into: Male

◄ Servants: Divided Into: Male ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "servant" often refers to individuals who are in a position of service or subordination, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. The role and status of male servants in ancient Israelite society, as well as in the broader biblical narrative, are multifaceted and reflect the social, economic, and religious dynamics of the time.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, male servants are frequently mentioned in various capacities. They could be Hebrews or foreigners, and their roles ranged from household duties to more specialized tasks. The Hebrew word often translated as "servant" is "ebed," which can also mean "slave" or "bondservant," depending on the context.

1. Hebrew Servants: According to the Mosaic Law, Hebrew men could become servants due to poverty or debt. However, their servitude was not meant to be permanent. Exodus 21:2 states, "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall go free, without paying anything." This regulation ensured that servitude among Hebrews was limited and provided a means for social and economic restoration.

2. Foreign Servants: Foreigners could also serve as male servants in Israel. Leviticus 25:44-46 provides guidelines for acquiring and treating foreign servants: "Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy from the foreigners residing among you and from their clans born in your land, and they will become your property. You can bequeath them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly."

3. Roles and Duties: Male servants in the Old Testament had various roles, including agricultural work, household management, and even military service. For example, Abraham's servant, likely Eliezer of Damascus, was entrusted with the significant task of finding a wife for Isaac (Genesis 24).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of servanthood is expanded and given a spiritual dimension. While the social institution of servitude continued, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles introduced a new understanding of service and leadership.

1. Servanthood as a Model for Leadership: Jesus Christ exemplified servanthood, teaching that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in serving others. In Mark 10:43-45 , Jesus instructs His disciples, "But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

2. Spiritual Servitude: The apostle Paul often referred to himself as a "servant of Christ" (Romans 1:1), indicating a voluntary and devoted service to God and the Gospel. This spiritual servitude transcended social status and was a calling for all believers, regardless of their earthly position.

3. Instructions for Servants: The New Testament provides specific instructions for servants, emphasizing their conduct and relationship with their masters. Ephesians 6:5-8 advises, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free."

Cultural and Theological Implications

The role of male servants in the Bible reflects the cultural norms of ancient societies, where servitude was a common social institution. However, the biblical narrative also introduces a transformative view of servanthood, particularly through the teachings of Jesus, which elevates service to a noble and spiritual calling. This perspective challenges believers to view servanthood not merely as a social status but as an opportunity to emulate Christ's humility and love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 24:34
And he said, I am Abraham's servant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 32:5
And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in your sight.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Life at Herrnhut.
... laid down the rule that all male adults in ... Some, called servants, had to clean the
wells, to ... early period the whole congregation was divided into ninety unions ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iv life at herrnhut.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... descendants, as well as among the servants and freedmen ... eighty-two female tunics,
sixteen male tunics, thirteen ... They may be divided into three classes: In the ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

Chapter xxxii
... is taken"his entire train is divided into two sections ... for itself, and he said to
his servants: Pass along ... for Jacob committed all the issues into God's hands ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxii.htm

The Meaning
... against the Spirit of Christ, powerfully operating in his servants. ... in travail, and
all faces are turned into paleness? ... 74.v.13, 14, "Thou hast divided the sea ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the meaning 3.htm

The Israelites
... Israel was a house divided against itself, and planted ... was murdered shortly afterwards
by two of his servants. ... on the Gulf of Suez fell into Israelitish hands. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Pentateuch.
... with Jacob's family, now increased to seventy male souls ... his children and grandchildren,
and a great train of servants. ... It is generally divided into three parts ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... time the Turks, though as yet divided into various satrapies ... deities, should be brought
back again into the world ... as he hath declared to his servants the prophets ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

Appendices
... of Kazawadana (Cappadocia), Amun, Ra, Sutekh, and the male and female ... be sent away,
and that one of your servants on whom ... its interior I divided into nine parts ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... away (Sot.10 b). He struck the servants of the ... ministry of the Angels may be divided
into two parts ... Generally, they may be arranged into male and female spirits ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

Meeting a Brother who had Been Wronged
... So he divided the people that were with him and the flocks and the herds and the
camels into two parts and ... by itself, in the care of his servants and said ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/meeting a brother who had.htm