Definition and Terminology:
The term "bond-men" refers to individuals who are in a state of servitude or slavery, bound to serve a master. In the biblical context, bond-men were often those who were either captured in war, sold into slavery due to debt, or born into servitude. The Hebrew term often translated as "bond-men" is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which can mean servant, slave, or bondman, depending on the context. In the New Testament, the Greek word "δοῦλος" (doulos) is used similarly.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, the concept of bond-men is addressed within the legal and social structures of ancient Israel. The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations regarding the treatment of bond-men. For instance, in Leviticus 25:39-40 , it is stated: "If your brother among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, you must not force him into slave labor. Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee." This passage highlights the temporary nature of servitude among the Israelites, with the Year of Jubilee serving as a time of release and restoration.

Foreigners, however, could be held as bond-men indefinitely, as seen in Leviticus 25:44-46 : "Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may purchase slaves. You may also purchase them from the foreigners residing among you or from their clans living among you, who are born in your land. These may become your property. You may leave them to your sons after you to inherit as property; you can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly."

New Testament Context:
In the New Testament, the concept of bond-men is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual realities. The Apostle Paul frequently refers to himself as a "bond-servant" of Christ, indicating total devotion and submission to the will of God. In Romans 1:1 , Paul introduces himself as "a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God."

The New Testament also addresses the relationship between masters and bond-men, urging a spirit of mutual respect and fairness. Ephesians 6:5-9 instructs: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him."

Theological Implications:
The concept of bond-men in the Bible reflects broader themes of freedom and servitude. While physical bondage is a reality in the biblical narrative, spiritual freedom through Christ is a central message of the New Testament. Galatians 5:1 declares, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery."

Historical and Cultural Context:
In ancient Near Eastern societies, slavery was a common institution, and the biblical laws regarding bond-men were part of a larger cultural context. The regulations provided in the Mosaic Law aimed to ensure humane treatment and to distinguish Israelite practices from those of surrounding nations. The Year of Jubilee, in particular, underscored the importance of redemption and restoration, reflecting God's concern for justice and mercy.

Practical Application:
The biblical teachings on bond-men encourage believers to reflect on the nature of true freedom and servitude. Christians are called to serve one another in love, recognizing that all are equal before God. The metaphor of being bond-servants of Christ challenges believers to live lives of obedience and dedication to God's purposes, while also advocating for justice and compassion in societal structures.5647. abad -- to work, serve
... working (1), worship (7), worshipers (6). keep in bondage, be bondmen,
bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear,. A primitive root; to work ...
/hebrew/5647.htm - 6k

We were Pharaoh's Bondmen. Deut 6:20-23
... HYMNS after Sermons to young people, on new-years evenings, suited to the subjects.
Hymn 25 We were PHARAOH's bondmen. ... 8,6,8,6. We were PHARAOH's bondmen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 25 we were pharaohs.htm

"For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Hath Made Me ...
... He grants something implicitly, and it is this: It is true indeed, Christians are
under a twofold law, captives and bondmen to these,"a law of sin in their ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii for the law.htm

God's Slaves
... 'For they are My servants, which I brought forth out of the land of Egypt;
they shall not be sold as bondmen.' "Leviticus 25:42. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/gods slaves.htm

John Chapter viii. 31-36
... man.". 3. But to the Lord's own answer, let us give better and more earnest
heed, lest we ourselves be also found bondmen. For "Jesus ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xli john chapter viii.htm

Galatians Chapter iv.
... Those therefore, who are born of her are not bondmen. ... What! does all this consolation
consist in showing that freemen are persecuted by bond-men? ...
/.../galatians chapter iv.htm

The Passover: an Expiation and a Feast, a Memorial and a Prophecy
... All this refers only to exemption from outward punishment, and we are not obliged
to attribute to these terrified bondmen any higher thoughts. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the passover an expiation and.htm

God did not Make Evil, nor is He at all in any Way the Author of ...
... a bond and fetters; in order that, according to their view, we who are to live in
the kingdom of light may not be for ever condemned to be bondmen of corruption ...
/.../methodius/from the discourse on the resurrection/part i god did not.htm

God, when one Believes in Him as You and I Do...
... and weak, conquerors and conquered, victors and vanquished, oppressors and oppressed,
masters and slaves, nobles and serfs, of citizens and bondmen or subjects ...
/.../lamartine/atheism among the people/v god when one believes.htm

Various Precepts.
... prepared.11. And ye bondmen shall be subject to your [2420] masters as to
a type of God, in modesty and fear. [2421] 12. Thou shalt ...
/.../various/the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter iv name precepts.htm

The Backslider in Heart.
... God has no slaves. He does not accept the service of bondmen, who serve
him because they must. He accepts none but a love service. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xxi the backslider in.htm

Bondmen (117 Occurrences)
...Bondmen (117 Occurrences). Matthew 13:27 And the bondmen of the householder came
up and said to him, Sir, hast thou not sown good seed in thy field? ...
/b/bondmen.htm - 35k

Bond-men (16 Occurrences)
Bond-men. Bondmen, Bond-men. Bonds . Multi-Version Concordance Bond-men
(16 Occurrences). ... Bondmen, Bond-men. Bonds . Reference Bible.
/b/bond-men.htm - 11k

Fellow-bondmen (4 Occurrences)
Fellow-bondmen. Fellow-bondman, Fellow-bondmen. Fellow-captive .
Multi-Version Concordance Fellow-bondmen (4 Occurrences). ...
/f/fellow-bondmen.htm - 7k

Bondwomen (10 Occurrences)
... Bondwomen (10 Occurrences). Acts 2:18 yea, even upon my bondmen and upon my bondwomen
in those days will I pour out of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. (DBY) ...
/b/bondwomen.htm - 9k

Bondmaids (6 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:44 Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall
be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and ...
/b/bondmaids.htm - 8k

Freed (32 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Romans 6:18 Now, having got your freedom from sin,
ye have become bondmen to righteousness. (Root in DBY YLT NAS). ...
/f/freed.htm - 15k

Dog-flies (6 Occurrences)
... Exodus 8:21 For, if thou do not let my people go, behold, I will send dog-flies
upon thee, and upon thy bondmen, and upon thy people, and into thy houses; and ...
/d/dog-flies.htm - 8k

Bond-women (3 Occurrences)
... again with ships, by the way of which I have said to thee, Thou shalt see it no
more again: and there ye shall be sold to your enemies for bond-men and bond ...
/b/bond-women.htm - 7k

Bondman (108 Occurrences)
... loan. (DBY). Matthew 18:28 But that bondman having gone out, found one
of his fellow-bondmen who owed him a hundred denarii. And ...
/b/bondman.htm - 36k

Favour (171 Occurrences)
... (DBY JPS). Genesis 32:5 and I have oxen, and asses, sheep, and bondmen, and bondwomen;
and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favour in thine eyes. ...
/f/favour.htm - 37k

What is a bondservant / bond-servant? | GotQuestions.org

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