Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5404 masters

5404 masters

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5404 masters

Those who obtain work from others, whether in the capacity of unpaid service or paid employment. Scripture sets out both the obligations and rights of masters in relation to those who work for them.

Masters have obligations to their servants

To deal fairly with them

Job 31:13-14 See also 2 Kings 22:7; Job 31:38-40; Matthew 10:10-11 pp Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18

To be generous

Deuteronomy 15:12-15,18 See also Phm 12-16

To make provision for rest and worship

Deuteronomy 5:12-15 pp Exodus 20:8-11 See also Exodus 12:43-44; Deuteronomy 16:11-16

Not to defraud them

Leviticus 19:13 Day labourers were paid in the evening (see Mt 20:8). Delaying payment could cause great hardship to a poor man. See also Deuteronomy 24:15; Malachi 3:5; James 5:4

Not to exploit them

Deuteronomy 24:14 See also Genesis 31:7,41; Isaiah 58:3; Jeremiah 22:13; Acts 16:16,19

Not to neglect them

Deuteronomy 12:19 See also Deuteronomy 14:27

Not to oppress them

Ephesians 6:9 See also Genesis 16:6; Exodus 1:11-14; Exodus 21:20-21,26-27; Leviticus 25:39-55; 1 Kings 12:4,10-14; Isaiah 30:12-13

God is the heavenly Master over earthly masters

Colossians 4:1 See also Ephesians 6:9; Matthew 25:14-30 pp Luke 19:12-26

Blessings promised to good masters

Proverbs 19:17 See also Deuteronomy 15:10; Proverbs 28:27

Examples of good and bad masters

Good masters

Genesis 18:19 Abraham; Job 31:13-15 Job; Luke 7:2 a Roman centurion

Bad masters

Genesis 16:6 Sarah; Genesis 31:7 Laban; Genesis 39:7-20 Potiphar's wife