In the biblical context, the term "slave-girl" refers to a female servant or bondwoman who is in a position of servitude within a household or community. The concept of slavery in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing various forms of servitude, including debt slavery, chattel slavery, and indentured servitude. The role and treatment of slave-girls are addressed in several passages throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the cultural and legal norms of ancient Near Eastern societies.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, slave-girls are often mentioned in the context of household service. For example, Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, is a prominent figure in Genesis. Sarah, unable to bear children, gives Hagar to her husband Abraham as a concubine to bear a child on her behalf (Genesis 16:1-4). This narrative highlights the complex social dynamics and personal relationships involving slave-girls in biblical times.

The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations concerning the treatment of female slaves. Exodus 21:7-11 outlines the rights of a Hebrew slave-girl, emphasizing her protection and the obligations of her master. If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to be released as male servants are. If her master is displeased with her, he must allow her to be redeemed. These laws reflect a concern for the welfare and dignity of female servants within the covenant community.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the presence of slave-girls is also noted, often in the context of the Roman Empire's widespread practice of slavery. One notable account is found in Acts 16:16-18 , where a slave-girl possessed by a spirit of divination brings profit to her owners through fortune-telling. The Apostle Paul, troubled by her condition, commands the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ, resulting in her deliverance. This incident underscores the transformative power of the Gospel and the inherent value of every individual, regardless of social status.

The New Testament teachings, particularly those of the Apostle Paul, emphasize the spiritual equality of all believers in Christ. In Galatians 3:28 , Paul declares, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This theological perspective challenges the societal norms of the time and affirms the dignity and worth of every person, including slave-girls.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The biblical references to slave-girls must be understood within the broader cultural and historical context of the ancient world. While the Bible records the existence of slavery, it also provides a framework for justice and compassion. The laws given to Israel sought to mitigate the harshness of slavery and protect the vulnerable, including female servants.

Theologically, the Bible's message of redemption and liberation resonates with the plight of slave-girls. The deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage serves as a powerful symbol of God's desire for freedom and justice. In the New Testament, the life and teachings of Jesus Christ further illuminate God's heart for the oppressed and marginalized, offering hope and restoration to all, including those in servitude.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of slave-girls reflects the complex realities of ancient societies while pointing towards a higher moral and spiritual vision of equality and freedom in Christ.3814. paidiske -- a young girl, maidservant
... of pais Definition a young girl, maidservant NASB Word Usage bondwoman (5),
servant-girl (4), servant-girls (1), slave-girl (2), slaves* (1), women (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3814.htm - 6k8198. shiphchah -- maid, maidservant
... female (9), female servant (3), female servants (5), maid (20), maids (5), maidservant
(15), maidservants (1), servants* (6), slave (1), slave girl (1), slaves ...
/hebrew/8198.htm - 6k

Buying a Slave Girl
... BUYING A SLAVE GIRL. It is impossible to understand accurately the early
history of Plymouth Church, and realise the position it ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/buying a slave girl.htm

A Slave Girl who Helped Her Master
... THE OLD TESTAMENT A SLAVE GIRL WHO HELPED HER MASTER. Naaman, the commander
of the army of the king of Aram, was a man who was beloved ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a slave girl who helped.htm

God's Care for the Boy Ishmael
... And she said to Abraham, "Drive out this slave girl and her son, for the son of
this slave girl shall not be heir with my son Isaac." This request was very ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/gods care for the boy.htm

Arria and Her Brother were Far from the Shores of Hellas and Near ...
... He could not forget.". Cyran, the pretty slave-girl, came soon with their evening
repast. ... The slave-girl covered her face and her body shook with emotion. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 21 arria and her.htm

Rhoda
... a house large enough to take in the members of the Church in great numbers, and
to keep up a considerable establishment, had brought this slave-girl from the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/rhoda.htm

The Child Moses.
... Running with bare feet upon the hot sand, Miriam, clad in the rough red and blue
of a Hebrew slave girl, drew near to the princess, and kneeling down at a ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the child moses.htm

That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian ...
... A sound hushed them. It was the slave-girl, singing as she came near: ... Antipater
hurried away. The slave-girl went close to the barred arena. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 4 that evening vergilius.htm

It was the Day Before the Nones of November in Rome. ...
... Now there had been no changes of moment in the palace of the Lady Lucia, save one.
The slave-girl, Cyran, had brought to Arria the inspiration of a new faith. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 18 it was the.htm

The Family of a Saint
... One day a slave-girl, who went with her to the cellar, began to grumble. Monnica
gave her a sharp answer. Upon this the girl called Monnica a drunkard.... ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the family of a.htm

The Children's Bible
... THE MANTLE OF ELIJAH. ELISHA HEALING THE SICK BOY. A SLAVE GIRL WHO HELPED HER MASTER.
ELISHA'S WAY OF TREATING ENEMIES. THE END OF AHAB'S SELFISH FAMILY. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

Slave-girl (6 Occurrences)
Slave-girl. Slave-dealers, Slave-girl. Slave-girl's . Multi-Version
Concordance Slave-girl (6 Occurrences). John 18:17 ...
/s/slave-girl.htm - 8k

Slave-girl's (1 Occurrence)
Slave-girl's. Slave-girl, Slave-girl's. Slavery . Multi-Version
Concordance Slave-girl's (1 Occurrence). Galatians 4 ...
/s/slave-girl's.htm - 6k

Bondmaid (18 Occurrences)
... The New Testament instance (Galatians 4:22) refers to Hagar, Abraham's Egyptian
slavegirl. ... It means a slavegirl. See SLAVERY. William Joseph McGlothlin. ...
/b/bondmaid.htm - 13k

Inheritance (263 Occurrences)
... "Send away the slave-girl and her son, for never shall the slave-girl's son share
the inheritance with the son of the free woman." (WEY NIV). ...
/i/inheritance.htm - 45k

Share (138 Occurrences)
... "Send away the slave-girl and her son, for never shall the slave-girl's son share
the inheritance with the son of the free woman." (WEY NIV). ...
/s/share.htm - 37k

Slave (148 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:16 One day, as we were on our way to the place of prayer, a slavegirl met
us who claimed to be inspired and was accustomed to bring her owners large ...
/s/slave.htm - 54k

Zilpah (7 Occurrences)
... zil'-pa (zilpah, meaning uncertain; Zelpha): The ancestress of Gad and Asher (Genesis
30:10, 12; Genesis 35:26; Genesis 46:18), a slavegirl of Leah's, given ...
/z/zilpah.htm - 9k

Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... He was afflicted with leprosy; and when the little Hebrew slave-girl that waited
on his wife told her of a prophet in Samaria who could cure her master, he ...
/n/naaman.htm - 15k

Owners (19 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:16 One day, as we were on our way to the place of prayer, a slavegirl met
us who claimed to be inspired and was accustomed to bring her owners large ...
/o/owners.htm - 12k

Leg (24 Occurrences)
... uncover the leg," the idea being that the gentle maid, who has been brought up in
affluence and luxury, will have to don the attire of a slavegirl and do ...
/l/leg.htm - 19k

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