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servant, slave, slavery

Definition:

The word for "servant" can also mean "slave" and refers to a person who works for another person, either by choice or by force. The surrounding text usually makes it clear whether a servant or a slave is being referred to.

  • In Bible times, there was less of a difference between a servant and a slave than there is today. Both servants and slaves were an important part of their master's household and many were treated almost like members of the family. Sometimes a servant would choose to become a lifetime servant to his master.
  • A slave is a kind of servant who is the property of the person he works for. The person who buys a slave is called his "owner" or "master." Some masters treat their slaves very cruelly, while other masters treat their slaves very well, like a servant who is a valued member of the household.
  • In ancient times, some people willingly became slaves to a person they owed money to in order to pay off their debt to that person.
  • In the Bible, the phrase "I am your servant" was used as a sign of respect and service to a person of higher rank, such as a king. It does not mean that the person speaking was an actual servant.
  • In the Old Testament, God's prophets and other people who worshiped God are often referred to as his "servants."
  • In the New Testament, people who obey God through faith in Christ are often called his "servants."
  • Christians are also called "slaves to righteousness," which is a metaphor that compares the commitment to obey God to a slave's commitment to obeying his master. (See: Metaphor)

(See also: commit · enslave · household · lord · obey: · righteous · serve)

Bible References:

Examples from the Bible stories:

*06-01 When Abraham was very old and his son, Isaac, had grown to be a man, Abraham sent one of his servants back to the land where his relatives lived to find a wife for his son, Isaac. *08-04 The slave traders sold Joseph as a slave to a wealthy government official. *09-13 "I (God) will send you (Moses) to Pharaoh so that you can bring the Israelites out of their slavery in Egypt." *19-10 Then Elijah prayed, "O Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, show us today that you are the God of Israel and that I am your servant." *29-03 "Since the servant could not pay the debt, the king said, 'Sell this man and his family as slaves to make payment on his debt.'" *35-06 "All my father's servants have plenty to eat, and yet here I am starving." *47-04 The slave girl kept yelling as they walked, "These men are servants of the Most High God. *50-04 Jesus also said, "A servant is not greater than his master."