1. English: "Slave" vs. "Servant"
#Slave:
Refers to a person who is owned by another and has no freedom. A slave is completely controlled by their master, often deprived of personal freedom, and is considered property.
- Legal Status: Slaves are seen as property, with no autonomy or right to leave their masters.
- Example: In ancient Rome and during slavery in the U.S., slaves were people completely under the control of their owners, with no personal liberty.
#Servant:
A servant is a person employed to perform tasks or duties for another, usually under a contract. They retain some degree of freedom and are not considered property.
- Legal Status: Servants are employed for compensation and can leave when the contract ends.
- Example: Household servants or butlers, maids, and other service employees who perform duties voluntarily under a contract.
In short, a "slave" is completely dependent and owned, whereas a "servant" has certain freedoms and works voluntarily under a contract.
2. Greek: "Slave" (δοῦλος) vs. "Servant" (θεράπων)
#δοῦλος (doulos):
This Greek term corresponds to "slave" and refers to someone who is completely under their master's control, with no freedom. It emphasizes total subjugation and ownership.
In the New Testament, this term is often used metaphorically to describe those who serve God, showing the relationship of obedience to God's will.
- Example: In Matthew 25:21, the faithful servant is referred to as "doulos," highlighting obedience to the master.
#θεράπων (therapon):
This term means "servant" or "attendant," and refers to someone who willingly serves, often with a relational aspect. It highlights voluntary service and assistance.
- Example: In Hebrews 3:5, Moses is described as "faithful in God's house" using "therapon," which suggests a loyal servant or assistant.
Thus, doulos stresses subjugation and total obedience, while therapon emphasizes voluntary service and relational loyalty.
3. Hebrew: "Eved" (עֶבֶד) and its Variations
#Eved (עֶבֶד):
This term generally means "slave" or "servant" in Hebrew and can refer to someone who serves another person, either voluntarily or involuntarily.
The concept of eved can range from a temporary servant (e.g., to repay a debt) to a permanent slave, depending on the context.
In the Bible, eved is used for people who serve under a contract (e.g., the Hebrew servant in Exodus 21) or for slaves of other nations.
Eved is also used to describe God's servants (e.g., Moses, Isaiah), indicating those who follow God's commands and act according to His will.
#Ama (אֲמָה):
This term refers to a female servant or slave and is distinct from eved, which generally refers to male servants. Ama is often used in a context where a woman serves in a domestic capacity.
- Example: In Genesis 21:10, Hagar is referred to as ama, emphasizing her status as a slave.
#Shiphah (שִׁפְחָה):
Shiphah refers to a female servant or handmaiden, often working in a household to perform domestic tasks. It is sometimes used in the context of concubines, as in the case of Sarah's handmaiden, Hagar (Genesis 16:1).
In Hebrew, eved often implies a forced laborer or a servant bound by a contract, and it can describe someone who serves God or people. Ama and shiphah specifically describe female servants in different social and domestic contexts.
4. Comparison: "Eved" vs. "Doulos"
Eved in Hebrew can refer to both a servant or a slave, and it often involves a contractual relationship that could end with the servant gaining freedom. It can also describe people who serve God, as in the case of prophets or leaders.
Doulos in Greek is a more rigid concept, emphasizing total submission to one's master or to God. While doulos can describe voluntary service in a spiritual sense (e.g., followers of Christ), it generally refers to a person who is in a state of complete dependence, without freedom.
In conclusion, the term eved in Hebrew is broader and can encompass both voluntary and involuntary service, while doulos in Greek tends to emphasize total subjugation and the physical or spiritual ownership of the master.