Servant

How Nave’s arranged it

• Distinguish a bondservant (Greek: doulos), who was a slave, from a hired servant (Greek: diakonos), who was not a slave
• BOND
• Laws of Moses concerningExodus 21:1–11Exodus 21:20Exodus 21:21Exodus 21:26Exodus 21:27Exodus 21:32Leviticus 19:20–22Leviticus 25:6Leviticus 25:10Leviticus 25:35–55Deuteronomy 15:12Deuteronomy 15:14Deuteronomy 15:18Deuteronomy 24:7
• Kidnapping forbiddenDeuteronomy 21:10–14Deuteronomy 24:71 Timothy 1:10Revelation 18:13
• Fugitive, not to be returned to his masterDeuteronomy 23:15Deuteronomy 23:16
• David erroneously supposed to be a fugitive slave1 Samuel 25:10
• Instances of fugitive
• Hagar, commanded by an angel to return to Sarah (Sarai), her ownerGenesis 16:9
• Sought by Shimei1 Kings 2:39–41
• Onesimus interceded for, by PaulPhilemon 1:21
• Rights of those born to a masterGenesis 14:14Genesis 17:13Genesis 17:27Exodus 21:4Proverbs 29:21Ecclesiastes 2:7Jeremiah 2:14
• Bought and soldGenesis 17:13Genesis 17:27Genesis 37:28Genesis 37:36Genesis 39:17Deuteronomy 28:68Esther 7:4Ezekiel 27:13Joel 3:6Amos 8:6Revelation 18:13

The passages, in Bible order (235)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 13:7

   And there was discord between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also living in the land.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 13:72 voices

   “It is a very wicked thing for servants to do ill offices between relations and neighbours, and to sow discord; those that do so are the devil's agents and their masters' worst enemies. The aggravation of the quarrel was that the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land; this made the quarrel, 1.

   “Very scandalous: No doubt the eyes of all the neighbours were upon them, because of the singularity of their religion, and the extraordinary sanctity they professed; and notice would soon be taken of this quarrel, and improvement made of it to their reproach by the Canaanites and Perizzites.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 13:7→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Genesis 14:14

   And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 14:142 voices

   “And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants--domestic slaves, such as are common in Eastern countries still and are considered and treated as members of the family.

   "When Abraham learned of this, he counted his servants born in the house" and with 318 men won a victory and liberated his nephew. This shows that the separation had taken place in friendship, since Abraham's love for his nephew was so great that he was willing to confront even the dangers of war on his behalf. What does it mean "he counted"? It means he "chose." So too what Jesus said in the Gospel refers not only to the knowledge of God but also to the grace of the just: "Even the hairs on your head are all counted."

   Everything gathered on Genesis 14:14→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Genesis 16:1

   Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 16:11 voice

   “- The Birth of Ishmael 1. הנר hāgār, Hagar, “flight.” Hejrah, the flight of Muhammed. 7. מלאך mal'ak “messenger, angel.” A deputy commissioned to discharge a certain duty for the principal whom he represents. As the most usual task is that of bearing messages, commands, or tidings, he is commonly called a “messenger” ἄγγελος angelos). The word is therefore a term of office, and does not further distinguish the office-bearer than as an intelligent being.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 16:1→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Genesis 16:2

   So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 16:22 voices

   “Herein, though he may be excused, he cannot be justified; for from the beginning it was not so: and when it was so, it seems to have proceeded from an irregular desire to build up their families, for the speedier peopling of the world.

   “Some might still be struck by the fact that Abraham had a relationship with his slave girl when he was already conversing with God, as it is written: "Sarah said to Abraham, 'See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my maid to make children from her.' " And this is exactly what happened. But we should consider first of all that Abraham lived prior to the law of Moses and before the gospel; adultery, it seems, was not yet prohibited at this time.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 16:2→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. Genesis 16:6

   “Here,” said Abram, “your servant is in your hands. Do whatever you want with her.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she fled from her.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 16:62 voices

   “Thy maid is in thy hand - Though she was his wife, he would not countenance her in any thing disrespectful to Sarai. Those who would keep up peace and love, must return first answers to hard accusations; husbands and wives particularly should endeavour not to be both angry together.

   “Sarah dealt hardly with her - תאנה teanneha, she afflicted her; the term implying stripes and hard usage, to bring down the body and humble the mind. If the slave was to blame in this business the mistress is not less liable to censure. She alone had brought her into those circumstances, in which it was natural for her to value herself beyond her mistress.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 16:6→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. Genesis 16:9

   So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.”

   ›Commentary on Genesis 16:91 voice

   “Note, Those that have gone away from their place and duty, when they are convinced of their error, must hasten their return and reformation, how mortifying soever it may be. The Promise Concerning Ishmael.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 16:9→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. Genesis 17:13

   Whether they are born in your household or purchased, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh will be an everlasting covenant.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 17:132 voices

   “He that is born in thy house - The son of a servant; he that is bought with thy money - a slave on his coming into the family. According to the Jewish writers the father was to circumcise his son; and the master, the servant born in his house, or the slave bought with money. If the father or master neglected to do this, then the magistrates were obliged to see it performed; if the neglect of this ordinance was unknown to the magistrates, then the person himself, when he came of age, was obliged to do it.

   God's covenant is "in the flesh" of the person who "does not fight on the terms of the flesh" and who "always carries about in his body the death of Jesus."

   Everything gathered on Genesis 17:13→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. Genesis 17:27

   And all the men of Abraham’s household—both servants born in his household and those purchased from foreigners—were circumcised with him.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 17:271 voice

   “And all the men of his house,.... All the males, whether children or adult: born in the house, or bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him; by their will, and with their consent; not forced to it, as Aben Ezra rightly observes; and these being before trained up by him in religious exercises, were more easily prevailed upon by him to follow his example; this also is repeated, that it might be served, and be an example to follow in after generations.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 17:27→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. Genesis 21:25

   But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,

   ›Commentary on Genesis 21:252 voices

   “And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well--Wells were of great importance to a pastoral chief and on the successful operation of sinking a new one, the owner was solemnly informed in person.

   “Note, If our brother trespass against us, we must, with the meekness of wisdom, tell him his fault, that the matter may be fairly accommodated and an end made of it, Matt. xviii.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 21:25→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. Genesis 24:1

    By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.

    ›Commentary on Genesis 24:12 voices

    “And Abraham was old . . . take a wife--His anxiety to see his son married was natural to his position as a pastoral chief interested in preserving the honor of his tribe, and still more as a patriarch who had regard to the divine promise of a numerous posterity.

    “The old age of Abraham was indeed yet green, as we shall see hereafter; but when he reckoned up his own years he deemed it time to consult for the welfare of his son.

    Everything gathered on Genesis 24:1→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. Genesis 29:15

    Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”

    Verse page →Original language →

12. Genesis 29:24

    And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant.

    ›Commentary on Genesis 29:242 voices

    “And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid, for an handmaid. It was usual to have many given them at this time, as Rebekah seems to have had, Gen 24:59; but Leah had but one, and this was all the portion Jacob had with her. The Targum of Jonathan is,"and Laban gave her Zilpah his daughter, whom his concubine bore unto him:''hence the Jews say (q), that the daughters of a man by his concubines are called maids. (q) Pirke Eliezer, c. 36.

    “And Laban gave - Zilpah his maid - Slaves given in this way to a daughter on her marriage, were the peculiar property of the daughter; and over them the husband had neither right nor power.

    Everything gathered on Genesis 29:24→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. Genesis 29:29

    Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant.

    ›Commentary on Genesis 29:291 voice

    “And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter, Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid. As he had given Leah an handmaid he gave Rachel another; and this in the Targum of Jonathan is said to be a daughter of Laban by a concubine also, as the former.

    Everything gathered on Genesis 29:29→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. Genesis 30:3

    Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.”

    ›Commentary on Genesis 30:31 voice

    “She shall bear upon my knees - The handmaid was the sole property of the mistress, as has already been remarked in the case of Hagar; and therefore not only all her labor, but even the children borne by her, were the property of the mistress. These female slaves, therefore, bore children vicariously for their mistresses; and this appears to be the import of the term, she shall bear upon my knees. That I may also have children by her - ואבנה ממנה veibbaneh mimmennah, and I shall be built up by her.

    Everything gathered on Genesis 30:3→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. Genesis 30:9

    When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.

    Verse page →Original language →

16. Genesis 30:26

    Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.”

    Verse page →Original language →