In the biblical context, the term "servants" encompasses a wide range of meanings, from those who serve in a household to those who serve God and His purposes. The concept of servanthood is deeply embedded in the Scriptures, reflecting both social structures and spiritual truths.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for servant, "ebed," is frequently used to describe individuals in various roles of service. Servants could be domestic workers, laborers, or those in servitude due to debt or conquest. For example, in Genesis 24:2, Abraham's servant, likely Eliezer, is tasked with finding a wife for Isaac, demonstrating trust and responsibility: "So Abraham said to the senior servant of his household, who was in charge of all that he owned, 'Place your hand under my thigh.'"

The role of servants is also significant in the context of Israel's history. The Israelites themselves were once servants in Egypt, as recounted in Exodus 1:13-14: "They worked the Israelites ruthlessly and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor, the Egyptians used them ruthlessly." This experience of servitude