In biblical times, the term "hand-maiden" referred to a female servant or maidservant, often in the service of a household or a specific individual. The role of hand-maidens is mentioned throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their significance in various narratives and cultural contexts.

Old Testament References

The Hebrew word often translated as "hand-maiden" is "amah" or "shiphchah," both of which denote a female servant. One of the earliest mentions of a hand-maiden is found in the account of Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, Abraham's wife. In Genesis 16:1-2 , Sarah, unable to bear children, gives Hagar to Abraham as a wife to bear a child on her behalf: "Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.'"

Another notable hand-maiden is Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant, who bore Jacob two sons, Dan and Naphtali, as recorded in Genesis 30:3-8. Similarly, Zilpah, Leah's maidservant, bore Jacob two sons, Gad and Asher (Genesis 30:9-13).

The role of hand-maidens extended beyond childbearing. They were integral to the daily operations of a household, performing various tasks and serving their mistresses. In 1 Samuel 25:41 , Abigail, upon being asked to become David's wife, humbly refers to herself as a servant: "She arose, bowed facedown, and said, 'Here is your maidservant, ready to serve you and wash the feet of my lord’s servants.'"

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Greek term "doule" is used to describe a female servant. The most prominent mention of a hand-maiden is found in the Magnificat, Mary's song of praise, in Luke 1:46-48 : "Then Mary said: 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.'"

This passage highlights the humility and devotion of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who refers to herself as the Lord's servant, acknowledging her role in God's divine plan.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Hand-maidens in the Bible often symbolize humility, service, and obedience. Their accounts reflect the broader social and familial structures of ancient times, where servitude was a common aspect of life. Despite their lowly status, hand-maidens played crucial roles in the unfolding of biblical history, often being used by God to fulfill His purposes.

Theologically, the concept of servitude as exemplified by hand-maidens is echoed in the Christian call to serve others and submit to God's will. The humility and faithfulness of biblical hand-maidens serve as a model for believers, emphasizing the value of service in the eyes of God.

Chapter xxxiii
... So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two handmaidens. ... And
the handmaidens approached"they and their children" and bowed. ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiii.htm

Epistle xxv. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari ).
... lest, seeing that this house was adjacent to a monastery of hand-maidens of God ... the
religious lady Pompeiana is desirous of taking away the handmaidens of God ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxv to januarius bishop.htm

Whether Sacred Doctrine is Nobler than Other Sciences?
... On the contrary, Other sciences are called the handmaidens of this one:
"Wisdom sent her maids to invite to the tower" (Prov.9:3). ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sacred doctrine is nobler.htm

That when David had Conquered the Philistines who Made War against ...
... she blame him, that so great a king as he was should dance after an unseemly manner,
and in his dancing, uncover himself among the servants and the handmaidens ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 that when david.htm

Acts ii. 14
... "And your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and
on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily v acts ii 14.htm

The Passion of the Holy Martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas.
... And upon my servants and my handmaidens will I pour out of my Spirit; and your young
men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." [8975] And ...
/.../the passion of the holy.htm

The Nuns of the Primitive Church
... True it is that many of the earliest consecrated handmaidens of the Church continued
to reside in their city homes, and, in addition to their prayers, devoted ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/vi the nuns of the.htm

"The Sun of Righteousness"
... in me; I would sing the sweetest of songs, and compose the most melting music, if
I could, and count art, and wit, and music exalted by being handmaidens to him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the sun of righteousness.htm

And There Was, Besides, a Most Beautiful, Blessed...
... They endure terrors and constant threats, but the Lord has given grace to many of
his handmaidens, for even though they are forbidden to do so, still they ...
/.../patrick/the confession of st patrick/section 42 and there was.htm

Conclusion the Resurrection of the Flesh in Its Absolute Identity ...
... God, in His most gracious providence, by "pouring out of His Spirit in these last
days, upon all flesh, upon His servants and on His handmaidens," [7761] has ...
/.../chapter lxiii conclusion the resurrection of.htm

Handmaidens (3 Occurrences)
...Handmaidens (3 Occurrences). Acts 2:18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens
in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. ...
/h/handmaidens.htm - 7k

Hand-maidens (1 Occurrence)
Hand-maidens. Handmaidens, Hand-maidens. Handmaids . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Handmaidens, Hand-maidens. Handmaids . Reference Bible.
/h/hand-maidens.htm - 6k

Girls (27 Occurrences)
... your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken
kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of your handmaidens." (See NIV). ...
/g/girls.htm - 14k

Friendly (17 Occurrences)
... sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly
unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens...
/f/friendly.htm - 11k

Maidservants (28 Occurrences)
... my LORD; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken to the heart
of thy handmaid, though I be not as one of thy handmaidens.' (See NAS RSV). ...
/m/maidservants.htm - 15k

Prophesy (96 Occurrences)
... NIV). Acts 2:18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days,
I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. (WEB ...
/p/prophesy.htm - 38k

Pour (137 Occurrences)
... NIV). Acts 2:18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days,
I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. (WEB ...
/p/pour.htm - 37k

Bondslaves (3 Occurrences)
... Bondslaves (3 Occurrences). Acts 2:18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens
in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. (See NAS). ...
/b/bondslaves.htm - 7k

Comforted (56 Occurrences)
... your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken
kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of your handmaidens." (WEB KJV ...
/c/comforted.htm - 24k

Yea (867 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY). Acts 2:18 Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days
Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. (ASV DBY RSV). ...
/y/yea.htm - 37k

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