A bondmaid, in biblical terms, refers to a female servant or slave who is bound to serve her master. The concept of a bondmaid is rooted in the ancient Near Eastern social and legal systems, where slavery was a recognized institution. The Hebrew term often translated as "bondmaid" is אָמָה (amah), which can also mean "maidservant" or "female slave."

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the role and treatment of bondmaids are addressed within the broader context of servitude and slavery. The Mosaic Law provided specific regulations concerning the treatment of bondmaids, reflecting a concern for their welfare and rights.

Exodus 21:7-11 outlines the laws regarding a Hebrew bondmaid: "If a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do. If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who has designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her. And if he has designated her for his son, he must deal with her as with a daughter. If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the food, clothing, or marital rights of his first wife. If, however, he does not provide her with these three things, she is free to go without payment of money" .

This passage highlights the protective measures in place for bondmaids, ensuring they were not treated merely as property but with a degree of dignity and care. The law required that if a bondmaid was taken as a wife or concubine, she was to be treated with the rights due to a wife, and failure to do so would result in her freedom.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not specifically address bondmaids in the same legalistic manner as the Old Testament, it does speak to the broader Christian ethic regarding slaves and masters. The apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the spiritual equality of all believers, regardless of social status. In Galatians 3:28, Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" . This verse underscores the transformative nature of the Gospel, which transcends social and cultural divisions, including those between bondmaids and their masters.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In ancient Israel, the institution of slavery, including the role of bondmaids, was influenced by economic, social, and legal factors. Bondmaids could be acquired through various means, such as purchase, birth, or as a result of debt. However, the Mosaic Law sought to mitigate the harshness of slavery by instituting regulations that protected the rights and dignity of servants.

The Year of Jubilee, described in Leviticus 25, provided a mechanism for the release of Hebrew slaves, including bondmaids, every fifty years. This practice served as a reminder of God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt and underscored the value of freedom and redemption.

Theological Implications

The concept of a bondmaid, while rooted in ancient societal norms, also carries theological significance. It serves as a metaphor for the believer's relationship with God. In the New Testament, the language of servitude is often used to describe the believer's submission to Christ. Romans 6:22 states, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life" . This imagery reflects the idea of willing servitude to a benevolent Master, contrasting the oppressive nature of human slavery.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of bondmaids is multifaceted, encompassing legal, cultural, and theological dimensions. The Scriptures provide guidelines for their treatment, reflecting a concern for justice and compassion, while also using the concept to illustrate deeper spiritual truths.(n.) A female slave, or one bound to service without wages, as distinguished from a hired servant.BONDMAID

bond'-mad: Occurs but three times in the King James Version (Leviticus 19:20; Leviticus 25:44 Galatians 4:22 (the Revised Version (British and American) "handmaid")). The first instance is that of Hebrew girl who has by birth, purchase or otherwise come into temporary slavery. The word here is shiphchah. It occurs often in the Old Testament, but is elsewhere translated "maid," "handmaid," "woman servant," "maidservant," etc. The other instance (Leviticus 25:44) refers to foreign slave girls and has different word, 'amah, which also occurs number of times, but is elsewhere translated "handmaid," etc. The New Testament instance (Galatians 4:22) refers to Hagar, Abraham's Egyptian slave girl. The original word paidiske, occurs several other times, but in the King James Version is elsewhere translated "maid," "damsel," etc. It means a slave girl.

See SLAVERY.

William Joseph McGlothlin

1399. doule -- female slave, bondmaid.
... 1398, 1399. doule. 1400 . female slave, bondmaid. ... Word Origin fem. of doulos
Definition female slave, bondmaid. female slave, bondwoman ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1399.htm - 6k

3814. paidiske -- a young girl, maidservant
... bondmaid, damsel, maiden. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, ie (specially), a
female slave or servant -- bondmaid(-woman), damsel, maid(-en). see GREEK pais. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3814.htm - 6k

519. amah -- a maid, handmaid
... handmaid, bondwoman, maidservant. Apparently a primitive word; a maid-servant or
female slave -- (hand-)bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant). 518, 519. ...
/hebrew/519.htm - 6k

But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the ...
... For though it be written, "Cast out the bondmaid and her son, for the son of the
bondmaid shall not be heir with my son Isaac:" [2701] and though God said to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /23 but if moreover any.htm

The Two Covenants: their Relation
... Chapter II. The Two Covenants: Their Relation. "It is written, that Abraham
had two sons, one by the bondmaid, and one by the freewoman. ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter ii the two covenants .htm

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the
other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondmaid was ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

The Content of Prayer: Its Four Moods
... unto the Lord, and wept exceedingly, and vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of Hosts,
if you will indeed have regard unto the humiliation of your bondmaid,'" and so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter ix the content of.htm

The Patriarchs.
... One son, Ishmael, had by this time been born to him of the bondmaid Hagar; but the
child of promise, Isaac, the son of his wife Sarah, was not given till he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ii the patriarchs.htm

Of the Term "Enigma," and of Tropical Modes of Speech.
... find it in the words, but in the fact; since he has shown that the two Testaments
are to be understood by the two sons of Abraham, one by a bondmaid, and the ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 9 of the term enigma.htm

Scriptural Confirmation of the Catholic Doctrine.
... "Now we," says he, "are not children of the bondmaid but of the freewoman." [2687]
Therefore they are not children of the freewoman who have accepted the law ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 3 scriptural confirmation of the.htm

The Old Testament is Properly one Thing --The Old Instrument ...
... not heard the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one
by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 12 the old testament is.htm

Why one of the Covenants is Called Old, the Other New.
... But if God is worshipped for the sake of that earthly happiness, the worship is
that of a slave, belonging to the children of the bondmaid; but if for the sake ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 13 why one of the.htm

C. The "Magnificat. " Ch. 1:39-56
... realizing the honor she dwells most upon her unworthiness while recognizing what
it may cost her, she declares her submission as a true "bondmaid" or slave of ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the magnificat ch 1 39-56.htm

Bondmaid (18 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BONDMAID. ...Bondmaid (18 Occurrences). Luke 1:38 And Mary
said, Behold the bondmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to thy word. ...
/b/bondmaid.htm - 13k

Exact (31 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 34:9 that every man should let his bondman, and every man his bondmaid,
the Hebrew and the Hebrewess, go free, that none should exact service of them ...
/e/exact.htm - 18k

Handmaid (77 Occurrences)
... hand'-mad: Which appears often in the Old Testament, but seldom in the New Testament,
like bondmaid, is used to translate two Hebrew words (shiphchah, and 'amah ...
/h/handmaid.htm - 34k

Inquisition (5 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid,
betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; they ...
/i/inquisition.htm - 9k

Inquiry (15 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid,
designated for a man, and not at all redeemed, nor was freedom given her; there ...
/i/inquiry.htm - 11k

Freewoman (4 Occurrences)
... Freewoman (4 Occurrences). Galatians 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two
sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. (KJV ASV). ...
/f/freewoman.htm - 8k

Redeemed (78 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid,
betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she ...
/r/redeemed.htm - 31k

Designated (22 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid,
betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; they ...
/d/designated.htm - 13k

Betrothed (19 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid,
betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she ...
/b/betrothed.htm - 12k

Bond-maid (2 Occurrences)
Bond-maid. Bondmaid, Bond-maid. Bondmaids . Multi-Version Concordance
Bond-maid (2 Occurrences). ... (WBS). Bondmaid, Bond-maid. Bondmaids . Reference
/b/bond-maid.htm - 7k

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