Dictionary of Bible Themes Servants and slaves were an important feature of everyday life in biblical times. The idea of servanthood is used both literally and metaphorically throughout Scripture. Exodus 21:2-6Laws of servanthood See also pp Dt 15:12-18 Genesis 17:13The words "servant" and "slave" are the same in Hebrew, but according to OT law, an Israelite servant was to be accorded more rights than a foreign slave. Exodus 12:44; 20:10Leviticus 25:39-55 Deuteronomy 21:10-14; 29:10-11 pp Dt 5:14 1 Chronicles 2:34-351 Samuel 17:34 Citizens referred to as servants of the king See also 2 Samuel 18:292 Kings 5:6 Ezra 4:11 Proverbs 14:35 Matthew 18:23 2 Kings 16:7 Kings as servants of other kings See also 2 Samuel 10:192 Kings 17:3; 24:1 Isaiah 60:10 pp 1Ch 19:19 2 Samuel 9:2Servant as a self-designated title of respect See also Genesis 19:2; 32:41 Samuel 17:34 2 Samuel 14:6 2 Kings 2:15-16; 4:1; 6:3 Daniel 1:12-13; 2:4 Proverbs 14:35 Servanthood in Proverbs See also Proverbs 11:29; 12:9; 17:2; 29:19; 30:10,21-23Matthew 23:8-12 Servanthood in the NT See also Matthew 6:24Luke 17:7-10 John 15:20 Romans 12:3-8 See also 5220 authority, abuse5258 cloth 5405 medicine 5522 servants, work conditions 5701 heir 7447 slavery, in OT |
    |