Servants and slaves were an important feature of everyday life in biblical times. The idea of servanthood is used both literally and metaphorically throughout Scripture.
Laws of servanthood
Exodus 21:2–6 parallel Deuteronomy 15:12–18 The words “servant” and “slave” are the same in Hebrew, but according to OT law, an Israelite servant was to be accorded more rights than a foreign slave. See also Genesis 17:13; Exodus 12:44, Exodus 20:10 parallel Deuteronomy 5:14; Leviticus 25:39–55; Deuteronomy 21:10–14, Deuteronomy 29:10–11; 1 Chronicles 2:34–35
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. If he arrived alone, he is to leave alone; if he arrived with a wife, she is to leave with him. If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free. But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children; I do not want to go free,’ then his master is to bring him before the judges. And he shall take him to the door or doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he shall serve his master for life.
Citizens referred to as servants of the king
1 Samuel 17:34 See also 2 Samuel 18:29; 2 Kings 5:6; Ezra 4:11; Proverbs 14:35; Matthew 18:23
David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock,
Kings as servants of other kings
2 Kings 16:7 See also 2 Samuel 10:19 parallel 1 Chronicles 19:19; 2 Kings 17:3, 2 Kings 24:1; Isaiah 60:10
So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hands of the kings of Aram and Israel, who are rising up against me.”
Servant as a self-designated title of respect
2 Samuel 9:2 See also Genesis 19:2, Genesis 32:4; 1 Samuel 17:34; 2 Samuel 14:6; 2 Kings 2:15–16, 2 Kings 4:1, 2 Kings 6:3; Daniel 1:12–13, Daniel 2:4
And there was a servant of the house of Saul named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king inquired, “Are you Ziba?” “I am your servant,” he replied.
Servanthood in Proverbs
Proverbs 14:35 See also Proverbs 11:29, Proverbs 12:9, Proverbs 17:2, Proverbs 29:19, Proverbs 30:10, Proverbs 30:21–23
A king delights in a wise servant, but his anger falls on the shameful.
Servanthood in the NT
Matthew 23:8–12 See also Matthew 6:24; Luke 17:7–10; John 15:20; Romans 12:3–8
But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.