In the biblical context, the term "bondwomen" refers to female slaves or servants who were bound to serve their masters. The concept of bondwomen is woven throughout the narratives of the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the social and legal structures of ancient Near Eastern societies.

Old Testament Context

The presence of bondwomen is evident in the patriarchal narratives of Genesis. One of the most notable examples is Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. When Sarah was unable to conceive, she gave Hagar to Abraham as a concubine to bear a child on her behalf. Genesis 16:1-2 states, "Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Look now, the LORD has prevented me from having children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.'"

The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations concerning bondwomen. Exodus 21:7-11 outlines the rights and protections afforded to female slaves, emphasizing their dignity and the responsibilities of their masters. For instance, if a man sold his daughter as a servant, she was not to be treated as male slaves were, and there were stipulations for her release or marriage.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of bondwomen is used allegorically by the Apostle Paul. In Galatians 4:22-23 , Paul writes, "For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise." Here, Paul contrasts Hagar, the bondwoman, with Sarah, the free woman, to illustrate the difference between living under the law and living under the promise of grace.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The existence of bondwomen in biblical times reflects the broader ancient societal norms where slavery was a common practice. However, the biblical narrative often highlights God's concern for justice and compassion towards all individuals, including bondwomen. The laws given to Israel were designed to protect the vulnerable and ensure fair treatment, as seen in the provisions for the release of Hebrew slaves in the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:39-41).

Theologically, the allegory of Hagar and Sarah in Galatians serves to underscore the transition from the Old Covenant, characterized by the law, to the New Covenant, characterized by grace and freedom in Christ. This allegory emphasizes the spiritual freedom available to all believers, transcending social and cultural distinctions.

Conclusion

The role and treatment of bondwomen in the Bible provide insight into the historical and cultural contexts of the biblical world, while also offering profound theological lessons about freedom, promise, and the transformative power of God's grace.(n.) Plural of Bondwoman.

A Rebuke against Extortion
... Oded He rebuked the cruel design of the victorious army: "Ye purpose to keep under
the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

Whether the Old Law Set Forth Suitable Precepts About the Members ...
... This is shown by the very words of the Law, where we read: "If any man sell his
daughter to be a servant, she shall not go out as bondwomen are wont to go out ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law set.htm

The Oration of Moses at the Rehearsal of the Blessing and the ...
... the way whereof I said unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye
shall sell yourselves unto your enemies for bondmen and for bondwomen: and no ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/i the oration of moses.htm

Esther, the Queen.
... But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen I had held my tongue, although
the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.". ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxiv esther the queen.htm

Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther.
... If we had all been sold as bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, great as
the evil would have been to thee." The king started, as if stung by an adder ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/hebrew captives or mordecai and.htm

Letter ccxi. (AD 423. )
... all these rules, as persons enamoured of spiritual beauty, and diffusing a sweet
savour of Christ by means of a good conversation, not as bondwomen under the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter ccxi a d 423.htm

The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher. Translated from the ...
... Further, if one or other of them have bondmen and bondwomen or children, through
love towards them they persuade them to become Christians, and when they have ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides the.htm

The Doctrine
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

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

Bondmen (117 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 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/bondmen.htm - 35k

Endamaged (1 Occurrence)
... But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my peace, although
the adversary could not have compensated for the king's damage. (See JPS). ...
/e/endamaged.htm - 6k

Bondwoman's (1 Occurrence)

/b/bondwoman's.htm - 6k

Bondwoman (17 Occurrences)
... the way whereof I said unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye
shall sell yourselves unto your enemies for bondmen and for bondwomen, and no ...
/b/bondwoman.htm - 11k

Bond-women (3 Occurrences)
Bond-women. Bondwomen, Bond-women. Bone . Multi-Version Concordance Bond-women
(3 Occurrences). ... (WBS). Bondwomen, Bond-women. Bone . Reference Bible.
/b/bond-women.htm - 7k

Comeliest (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Samuel 8:16 And he will take your bondmen, and your bondwomen, and your comeliest
young men, and your asses, and use them for his work. (DBY). ...
/c/comeliest.htm - 6k

Countervail (1 Occurrence)
... But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although
the enemy could not countervail the king's damage. (KJV WBS). ...
/c/countervail.htm - 7k

Subjugate (2 Occurrences)
... Subjugate (2 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles 28:10 And now ye think to subjugate the
children of Judah and Jerusalem as your bondmen and bondwomen. ...
/s/subjugate.htm - 7k

Subjection (40 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 28:10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem
for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not even with you ...
/s/subjection.htm - 18k

Bondwomen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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