In biblical times, the term "manservant" referred to a male servant or slave who was in the service of a master. The concept of servitude is woven throughout the biblical narrative, reflecting the social and economic structures of ancient Near Eastern cultures. The Hebrew word often translated as "manservant" is "ebed," which can mean servant, slave, or bondman, depending on the context.

Old Testament Context

The role and treatment of manservants are addressed in various Old Testament passages, reflecting the laws and customs of ancient Israel. In Exodus 21:2, the law provides for the release of Hebrew servants after six years of service: "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve you for six years, but in the seventh year he shall go free, without paying anything" . This regulation underscores the temporary nature of servitude among the Israelites and highlights the importance of the Sabbath principle of rest and liberation.

The treatment of manservants was also subject to ethical considerations. Leviticus 25:39-40 instructs, "If your brother among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, you must not force him into slave labor. Let him stay with you as a hired worker or temporary resident; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee" . This passage emphasizes the dignity and fair treatment of servants, distinguishing between fellow Israelites and foreign slaves.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of servitude is addressed within the broader context of Christian conduct and relationships. Ephesians 6:5-8 instructs, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free" . This passage calls for a Christ-centered approach to service, emphasizing integrity and the ultimate accountability to God.

The apostle Paul also addresses the relationship between masters and servants, urging masters to treat their servants with fairness and respect. Colossians 4:1 states, "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven" . This reflects the transformative ethic of the Gospel, which elevates the inherent worth of every individual, regardless of social status.

Cultural and Theological Implications

The biblical treatment of manservants reflects a complex interplay between cultural norms and divine principles. While the institution of servitude was a reality in ancient societies, the biblical narrative consistently points towards justice, mercy, and the ultimate liberation found in God. The Year of Jubilee, for instance, symbolizes a profound reset of social and economic relationships, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ.

In the broader theological context, the concept of servitude serves as a metaphor for the believer's relationship with God. The apostle Paul frequently refers to himself as a "servant of Christ," highlighting the voluntary and devoted nature of Christian discipleship. This spiritual servitude is characterized by love, obedience, and a commitment to the will of God, transcending earthly hierarchies and reflecting the kingdom values of humility and service.(n.) A male servant.MANSERVANT

man'sur-vant (`ebhedh): A male slave; usually coupled with maidservant or female slave (Genesis 12:16 Exodus 20:10 1 Samuel 8:16 Job 31:13 Luke 12:45).

See SERVANT; SLAVE.

5650. ebed -- slave, servant
... bondage, bondman, bondservant, manservant. From abad; a servant -- X bondage, bondman,
(bond-)servant, (man-)servant. see HEBREW abad. 5649, 5650. ebed. 5651 ...
/hebrew/5650.htm - 6k

The Ten Commandments.
... work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/the ten commandments.htm

What is the Law of God?
... work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 92 what is the.htm

Fourth Commandment
... work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/fourth commandment.htm

Tenth Commandment
... Tenth Commandment. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet
thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

The Fourth Commandment
... work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 4 the fourth commandment.htm

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... As, for instance, to explain this somewhat grossly for the common people, that it
may be seen how godly we are: When a manservant or maid-servant does not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not steal.htm

God's Law Immutable
... work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

The Eating of the Peace-Offering
... thou must eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall
choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the eating of the peace-offering.htm

Which is the Fourth Commandment?
... work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster shorter catechism/question 57 0 0 which is the.htm

Which is the Tenth Commandment?
... A79: The Tenth Commandment is, "thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou
shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster shorter catechism/question 79 0 0 which is the.htm

Manservant (14 Occurrences)
... (n.) A male servant. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MANSERVANT. ... See SERVANT;
SLAVE. Multi-Version Concordance Manservant (14 Occurrences). ...
/m/manservant.htm - 12k

Manservant's (1 Occurrence)
...Manservant's (1 Occurrence). Exodus 21:27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth,
or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake. ...
/m/manservant's.htm - 6k

Maidservant (73 Occurrences)
... 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy ...
/m/maidservant.htm - 28k

Ass (95 Occurrences)
... Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ...
/a/ass.htm - 48k

Man-servant (18 Occurrences)
Man-servant. Manservant, Man-servant. Manservants . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE YLT). Manservant, Man-servant. Manservants . Reference Bible.
/m/man-servant.htm - 12k

Man-servants (1 Occurrence)
Man-servants. Manservants, Man-servants. Manservant's . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Manservants, Man-servants. Manservant's . Reference Bible.
/m/man-servants.htm - 6k

Man-servant's (1 Occurrence)
Man-servant's. Manservant's, Man-servant's. Mansion . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(ASV WBS). Manservant's, Man-servant's. Mansion . Reference Bible.
/m/man-servant's.htm - 6k

Maidservant's (1 Occurrence)
... Exodus 21:27 And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's
tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake. (KJV). ...
/m/maidservant's.htm - 6k

Push (23 Occurrences)
... Exodus 21:32 If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto
their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned. ...
/p/push.htm - 14k

What are the Ten Commandments? What is the Decalogue? | GotQuestions.org

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Manservant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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