17 Bible Verses about Servants

Most Relevant Verses

John 13:5

afterward he putteth water into the basin, and began to wash the feet of his disciples, and to wipe with the towel with which he was being girded.

Philippians 2:1-4

If, then, any exhortation is in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye may mind the same thing -- having the same love -- of one soul -- minding the one thing, nothing in rivalry or vain-glory, but in humility of mind one another counting more excellent than yourselves -- read more.
each not to your own look ye, but each also to the things of others.

From Thematic Bible


Christian ministers » Servants » Soldiers of Christ

Philippians 2:25

And I thought it necessary Epaphroditus -- my brother, and fellow-workman, and fellow-soldier, and your apostle and servant to my need -- to send unto you,

2 Timothy 2:3-4

thou, therefore, suffer evil as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; no one serving as a soldier did entangle himself with the affairs of life, that him who did enlist him he may please;

Christian ministers » Servants » Of jesus Christ

Christian ministers » Servants » Of God

Titus 1:1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of the choice ones of God, and an acknowledging of truth that is according to piety,

Christian ministers » Servants » Stars

Revelation 1:20

the secret of the seven stars that thou hast seen upon my right hand, and the seven golden lamp-stands: the seven stars are messengers of the seven assemblies, and the seven lamp-stands that thou hast seen are seven assemblies.

Revelation 2:1

To the messenger of the Ephesian assembly write: These things saith he who is holding the seven stars in his right hand, who is walking in the midst of the seven lamp-stands -- the golden:

Christian ministers » Servants » Of the grace of God

Christian ministers » Servants » of the Lord

Christian ministers » Servants » Shepherds

Jeremiah 23:4

And I have raised for them shepherds, And they have fed them, And they fear no more, nor are affrighted, Nor are they lacking -- an affirmation of Jehovah.

Christian ministers » Servants » Of the mysteries of God

Christian ministers » Servants » Stewards of God

Christian ministers » Servants » Of the church

Duty » Servants » Faithfulness

Duty » Servants » Respect for masters

1 Timothy 6:1

As many as are servants under a yoke, their own masters worthy of all honour let them reckon, that the name of God and the teaching may not be evil spoken of;

Duty » Servants » Obedience

Duty » Servants » Patience in hard places

Duty » Servants » Desire to please

Titus 2:9

Servants -- to their own masters are to be subject, in all things to be well-pleasing, not gainsaying,

Faithful » Servants

Exodus 21:5

And if the servant really say: I have loved my lord, my wife, and my sons -- I do not go out free;

Psalm 123:2

Lo, as eyes of men-servants Are unto the hand of their masters, As eyes of a maid-servant Are unto the hand of her mistress, So are our eyes unto Jehovah our God, Till that He doth favour us.

Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.

Proverbs 27:18

The keeper of a fig-tree eateth its fruit, And the preserver of his master is honoured.

More verses: Matthew 24:45

Injustice » Specially to be avoided towards » Servants

Job 31:13-14

If I despise the cause of my man-servant, And of my handmaid, In their contending with me, Then what do I do when God ariseth? And when He doth inspect, What do I answer Him?

Intercessory prayer » Should be offered up for » Servants

Luke 7:2-3

and a certain centurion's servant being ill, was about to die, who was much valued by him, and having heard about Jesus, he sent unto him elders of the Jews, beseeching him, that having come he might thoroughly save his servant.

Presents » Things given as » Servants

Genesis 29:29

and Laban giveth to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his maid-servant, for a maid-servant to her.

Genesis 29:24

and Laban giveth to her Zilpah, his maid-servant, to Leah his daughter, a maid-servant.

Genesis 20:14

And Abimelech taketh sheep and oxen, and servants and handmaids, and giveth to Abraham, and sendeth back to him Sarah his wife;

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of david

2 Samuel 15:21

And Ittai answereth the king and saith, 'Jehovah liveth, and my lord the king liveth, surely in the place where my lord the king is -- if for death, if for life, surely there is thy servant.'

2 Samuel 12:18

and it cometh to pass on the seventh day, that the lad dieth, and the servants of David fear to declare to him that the lad is dead, for they said, 'Lo, in the lad being alive we spake unto him, and he did not hearken to our voice; and how do we say unto him, The lad is dead? -- then he hath done evil.'

2 Samuel 15:15

And the servants of the king say unto the king, 'According to all that my lord the king chooseth -- lo, thy servants do.'

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of abigail

1 Samuel 25:14-17

And to Abigail wife of Nabal hath one young man of the youths declared, saying, 'Lo, David hath sent messengers out of the wilderness to bless our lord, and he flieth upon them; and the men are very good to us, and have not put us to shame, and we have not looked after anything all the days we have gone up and down with them, in our being in the field; a wall they have been unto us both by night and by day, all the days of our being with them, feeding the flock. read more.
And, now, know and consider what thou dost; for evil hath been determined against our lord, and against all his house, and he is too much a son of worthlessness to be spoken to.'

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of naaman

2 Kings 5:2-3

And the Aramaeans have gone out by troops, and they take captive out of the land of Israel a little damsel, and she is before the wife of Naaman, and she saith unto her mistress, 'O that my lord were before the prophet who is in Samaria; then he doth recover him from his leprosy.'

2 Kings 5:13

And his servants come nigh, and speak unto him, and say, 'My father, a great thing had the prophet spoken unto thee -- dost thou not do it? and surely, when he hath said unto thee, Wash, and be clean.'

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of nehemiah

Nehemiah 4:16

yea, it cometh to pass, from that day, half of my servants are working in the business, and half of them are keeping hold of both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the heads are behind all the house of Judah.

Nehemiah 4:23

and there are none -- I and my brethren and my servants, the men of the guard who are after me -- there are none of us putting off our garments, each hath his vessel of water.

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of jonathan

1 Samuel 14:7

And the bearer of his weapons saith to him, 'Do all that is in thy heart; turn for thee; lo, I am with thee, as thine own heart.'

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Onesimus

Philemon 1:11

who once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of cornelius

Acts 10:7

And when the messenger who is speaking to Cornelius went away, having called two of his domestics, and a pious soldier of those waiting on him continually,

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of the roman centurion

Matthew 8:9

for I also am a man under authority, having under myself soldiers, and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Be coming, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doth it.'

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of boaz

Ruth 2:4

And lo, Boaz hath come from Beth-Lehem, and saith to the reapers, 'Jehovah is with you;' and they say to him, 'Jehovah doth bless thee.'

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of ziba

Servant » Instances of good » Servants » Of abraham

Servants » God's

1 Chronicles 6:49

And Aaron and his sons are making perfume on the altar of the burnt-offering, and on the altar of the perfume, for all the work of the holy of holies, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses servant of God commanded.

Servants » Servants not being able to serve two masters

2 Corinthians 6:14-16

Become not yoked with others -- unbelievers, for what partaking is there to righteousness and lawlessness? and what fellowship to light with darkness? and what concord to Christ with Belial? or what part to a believer with an unbeliever? and what agreement to the sanctuary of God with idols? for ye are a sanctuary of the living God, according as God said -- 'I will dwell in them, and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people,

Luke 16:13

'No domestic is able to serve two lords, for either the one he will hate, and the other he will love; or one he will hold to, and of the other he will be heedless; ye are not able to serve God and mammon.'

1 Corinthians 10:20-22

no, but that the things that the nations sacrifice -- they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not wish you to come into the fellowship of the demons. Ye are not able the cup of the Lord to drink, and the cup of demons; ye are not able of the table of the Lord to partake, and of the table of demons; do we arouse the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than He?

James 3:9-12

with it we do bless the God and Father, and with it we do curse the men made according to the similitude of God; out of the same mouth doth come forth blessing and cursing; it doth not need, my brethren, these things so to happen; doth the fountain out of the same opening pour forth the sweet and the bitter? read more.
is a fig-tree able, my brethren, olives to make? or a vine figs? so no fountain salt and sweet water is able to make.

Servants » When good » Are partakers of gospel privileges

Servants » What servants should do

Titus 2:9

Servants -- to their own masters are to be subject, in all things to be well-pleasing, not gainsaying,

Ephesians 6:5-8

The servants! obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to the Christ; not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as servants of the Christ, doing the will of God out of soul, with good-will serving, as to the Lord, and not to men, read more.
having known that whatever good thing each one may do, this he shall receive from the Lord, whether servant or freeman.

1 Timothy 6:1-2

As many as are servants under a yoke, their own masters worthy of all honour let them reckon, that the name of God and the teaching may not be evil spoken of; and those having believing masters, let them not slight them, because they are brethren, but rather let them serve, because they are stedfast and beloved, who of the benefit are partaking. These things be teaching and exhorting;

Colossians 3:22-23

The servants! obey in all things those who are masters according to the flesh, not in eye-service as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God; and all, whatever ye may do -- out of soul work -- as to the Lord, and not to men,

Servants » The term often used to express humility

Genesis 33:5

and he lifteth up his eyes, and seeth the women and the children, and saith, 'What are these to thee?' And he saith, 'The children with whom God hath favoured thy servant.'

Genesis 18:3

And he saith, 'My Lord, if, I pray thee, I have found grace in thine eyes, do not, I pray thee, pass on from thy servant;

1 Samuel 20:7

If thus he say: Good; peace is for thy servant; and if it be very displeasing to him -- know that the evil hath been determined by him;

1 Kings 20:32

And they gird sackcloth on their loins, and ropes are on their heads, and they come in unto the king of Israel, and say, 'Thy servant Ben-Hadad hath said, Let me live, I pray thee;' and he saith, 'Is he yet alive? he is my brother.'

Servants » Slaves or bond » To participate in all national rejoicings

Deuteronomy 12:18

but before Jehovah thy God thou dost eat it, in the place which Jehovah thy God doth fix on, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy handmaid, and the Levite who is within thy gates, and thou hast rejoiced before Jehovah thy God in every putting forth of thy hand;

Deuteronomy 16:11

And thou hast rejoiced before Jehovah thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy handmaid, and the Levite who is within thy gates, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, who are in thy midst, in the place which Jehovah thy God doth choose to cause His name to tabernacle there,

Deuteronomy 16:14

and thou hast rejoiced in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy handmaid, and the Levite, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, who are within thy gates.

Servants » Christ condescended to the office of

John 13:5

afterward he putteth water into the basin, and began to wash the feet of his disciples, and to wipe with the towel with which he was being girded.

Luke 22:27

for who is greater? he who is reclining (at meat), or he who is ministering? is it not he who is reclining (at meat)? and I -- I am in your midst as he who is ministering.

Servants » Slaves or bond » All israelites sold as, to be free at the jubilee

Leviticus 25:10

and ye have hallowed the year, the fiftieth year; and ye have proclaimed liberty in the land to all its inhabitants; a jubilee it is to you; and ye have turned back each unto his possession; yea, each unto his family ye do turn back.

Leviticus 25:40-41

as an hireling, as a settler, he is with thee, till the year of the jubilee he doth serve with thee, -- then he hath gone out from thee, he and his sons with him, and hath turned back unto his family; even unto the possession of his fathers he doth turn back.

Leviticus 25:54

And if he is not redeemed in these years, then he hath gone out in the year of jubilee, he and his sons with him.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Seizing and stealing of men for, condemned and punished by the law

Deuteronomy 24:7

'When a man is found stealing a person, of his brethren, of the sons of Israel, and hath tyrannized over him, and sold him, then hath that thief died, and thou hast put away the evil thing out of thy midst.

1 Timothy 1:10

whoremongers, sodomites, men-stealers, liars, perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that to sound doctrine is adverse,

Exodus 21:16

'And he who stealeth a man, and hath sold him, and he hath been found in his hand, is certainly put to death.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be faithful to them

Titus 2:10

not purloining, but showing all good stedfastness, that the teaching of God our Saviour they may adorn in all things.

Luke 16:10-12

He who is faithful in the least, is also faithful in much; and he who in the least is unrighteous, is also unrighteous in much; if, then, in the unrighteous mammon ye became not faithful -- the true who will entrust to you? and if in the other's ye became not faithful -- your own, who shall give to you?

Servants » Bond, illustrative » Of Christ

Psalm 40:6

Sacrifice and present Thou hast not desired, Ears Thou hast prepared for me, Burnt and sin-offering Thou hast not asked.

Philippians 2:7-8

but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made, and in fashion having been found as a man, he humbled himself, having become obedient unto death -- death even of a cross,

Hebrews 10:5

Wherefore, coming into the world, he saith, 'Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not will, and a body Thou didst prepare for me,

Servants » Slaves or bond » By birth

Genesis 14:14

And Abram heareth that his brother hath been taken captive, and he draweth out his trained domestics, three hundred and eighteen, and pursueth unto Dan.

Psalm 116:16

Cause it to come, O Jehovah, for I am Thy servant. I am Thy servant, son of Thy handmaid, Thou hast opened my bonds.

Jeremiah 2:14

A servant is Israel? Is he a child of the house? Wherefore hath he been for a prey?

Servants » When good » Have God with them

Genesis 39:21

And Jehovah is with Joseph, and stretcheth out kindness unto him, and putteth his grace in the eyes of the chief of the round-house;

Genesis 31:42

unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had been for me, surely now empty thou hadst sent me away; mine affliction and the labour of my hands hath God seen, and reproveth yesternight.'

Acts 7:9-10

and the patriarchs, having been moved with jealousy, sold Joseph to Egypt, and God was with him, and did deliver him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he did set him -- governor over Egypt and all his house.

Servants » The servant of the lord

Isaiah 53:1-12

Who hath given credence to that which we heard? And the arm of Jehovah, On whom hath it been revealed? Yea, he cometh up as a tender plant before Him, And as a root out of a dry land, He hath no form, nor honour, when we observe him, Nor appearance, when we desire him. He is despised, and left of men, A man of pains, and acquainted with sickness, And as one hiding the face from us, He is despised, and we esteemed him not. read more.
Surely our sicknesses he hath borne, And our pains -- he hath carried them, And we -- we have esteemed him plagued, Smitten of God, and afflicted. And he is pierced for our transgressions, Bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement of our peace is on him, And by his bruise there is healing to us. All of us like sheep have wandered, Each to his own way we have turned, And Jehovah hath caused to meet on him, The punishment of us all. It hath been exacted, and he hath answered, And he openeth not his mouth, As a lamb to the slaughter he is brought, And as a sheep before its shearers is dumb, And he openeth not his mouth. By restraint and by judgment he hath been taken, And of his generation who doth meditate, That he hath been cut off from the land of the living? By the transgression of My people he is plagued, And it appointeth with the wicked his grave, And with the rich are his high places, Because he hath done no violence, Nor is deceit in his mouth. And Jehovah hath delighted to bruise him, He hath made him sick, If his soul doth make an offering for guilt, He seeth seed -- he prolongeth days, And the pleasure of Jehovah in his hand doth prosper. Of the labour of his soul he seeth -- he is satisfied, Through his knowledge give righteousness Doth the righteous one, My servant, to many, And their iniquities he doth bear. Therefore I give a portion to him among the many, And with the mighty he apportioneth spoil, Because that he exposed to death his soul, And with transgressors he was numbered, And he the sin of many hath borne, And for transgressors he intercedeth.

Isaiah 42:1-7

Lo, My servant, I take hold on him, My chosen one -- My soul hath accepted, I have put My Spirit upon him, Judgment to nations he bringeth forth. He doth not cry, nor lift up, Nor cause his voice to be heard, in the street. A bruised reed he breaketh not, And dim flax he quencheth not, To truth he bringeth forth judgment. read more.
He doth not become weak nor bruised, Till he setteth judgment in the earth, And for his law isles wait with hope. Thus said God, Jehovah, preparing The heavens, and stretching them out, Spreading out the earth and its productions, Giving breath to the people on it, And spirit to those walking in it. I, Jehovah, did call thee in righteousness, And I lay hold on thy hand, and keep thee, And I give thee for a covenant of a people, And a light of nations. To open the eyes of the blind, To bring forth from prison the bound one, From the house of restraint those sitting in darkness.

Isaiah 50:4-10

The Lord Jehovah hath given to me The tongue of taught ones, To know to aid the weary by a word, He waketh morning by morning, He waketh for me an ear to hear as taught ones. The Lord Jehovah opened for me the ear, And I rebelled not -- backward I moved not. My back I have given to those smiting, And my cheeks to those plucking out, My face I hid not from shame and spitting. read more.
And the Lord Jehovah giveth help to me, Therefore I have not been ashamed, Therefore I have set my face as a flint, And I know that I am not ashamed. Near is He who is justifying me, Who doth contend with me? We stand together, who is mine opponent? Let him come nigh unto me. Lo, the Lord Jehovah giveth help to me, Who is he that declareth me wicked? Lo, all of them as a garment wear out, A moth doth eat them. Who is among you, fearing Jehovah, Hearkening to the voice of His servant, That hath walked in dark places, And there is no brightness for him? Let him trust in the name of Jehovah, And lean upon his God.

Isaiah 52:12-15

For not in haste do ye go out, Yea, with flight ye go not on, For going before you is Jehovah, And gathering you is the God of Israel! Lo, My servant doth act wisely, He is high, and hath been lifted up, And hath been very high. As astonished at thee have been many, (So marred by man his appearance, And his form by sons of men.) read more.
So doth he sprinkle many nations. Concerning him kings shut their mouth, For that which was not recounted to them they have seen, And that which they had not heard they have understood!

Servants » Faithful servants

Luke 12:35-40

'Let your loins be girded, and the lamps burning, and ye like to men waiting for their lord, when he shall return out of the wedding feasts, that he having come and knocked, immediately they may open to him. 'Happy those servants, whom the lord, having come, shall find watching; verily I say to you, that he will gird himself, and will cause them to recline (at meat), and having come near, will minister to them; read more.
and if he may come in the second watch, and in the third watch he may come, and may find it so, happy are those servants. 'And this know, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief doth come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through; and ye, then, become ye ready, because at the hour ye think not, the Son of Man doth come.'

Luke 19:12-19

He said therefore, 'A certain man of birth went on to a far country, to take to himself a kingdom, and to return, and having called ten servants of his own, he gave to them ten pounds, and said unto them, Do business -- till I come; and his citizens were hating him, and did send an embassy after him, saying, We do not wish this one to reign over us. read more.
'And it came to pass, on his coming back, having taken the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he gave the money, that he might know what any one had done in business. 'And the first came near, saying, Sir, thy pound did gain ten pounds; and he said to him, Well done, good servant, because in a very little thou didst become faithful, be having authority over ten cities. 'And the second came, saying, Sir, thy pound made five pounds; and he said also to this one, And thou, become thou over five cities.

Matthew 24:42-47

'Watch ye therefore, because ye have not known in what hour your Lord doth come; and this know, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief doth come, he had watched, and not suffered his house to be broken through; because of this also ye, become ye ready, because in what hour ye do not think, the Son of Man doth come. read more.
'Who, then, is the servant, faithful and wise, whom his lord did set over his household, to give them the nourishment in season? Happy that servant, whom his lord, having come, shall find doing so; verily I say to you, that over all his substance he will set him.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be submissive even to the froward

Genesis 16:6

And Abram saith unto Sarai, 'Lo, thine handmaid is in thine hand, do to her that which is good in thine eyes;' and Sarai afflicted her, and she fleeth from her presence.

Genesis 16:9

And the messenger of Jehovah saith to her, 'Turn back unto thy mistress, and humble thyself under her hands;'

Servants » When good » Deserve the confidence of their masters

Genesis 24:2

and Abraham saith unto his servant, the eldest of his house, who is ruling over all that he hath, 'Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh,

Genesis 24:4

but unto my land and unto my kindred dost thou go, and hast taken a wife for my son, for Isaac.'

Genesis 39:4

and Joseph findeth grace in his eyes and serveth him, and he appointeth him over his house, and all that he hath he hath given into his hand.

Servants » Bond, illustrative » Of the wicked

Romans 6:16

have ye not known that to whom ye present yourselves servants for obedience, servants ye are to him to whom ye obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?

Romans 6:19

In the manner of men I speak, because of the weakness of your flesh, for even as ye did present your members servants to the uncleanness and to the lawlessness -- to the lawlessness, so now present your members servants to the righteousness -- to sanctification,

Servants » Bond, illustrative » Of saints

Servants » Persons devoted to God so called

Isaiah 56:6

And sons of the stranger, who are joined to Jehovah, To serve Him, and to love the name of Jehovah, To be to Him for servants, Every keeper of the sabbath from polluting it, And those keeping hold on My covenant.

Psalm 119:49

Zain. Remember the word to Thy servant, On which Thou hast caused me to hope.

Servants » Who shall be servant of all

Matthew 23:8-11

And ye -- ye may not be called Rabbi, for one is your director -- the Christ, and all ye are brethren; and ye may not call any your father on the earth, for one is your Father, who is in the heavens, nor may ye be called directors, for one is your director -- the Christ. read more.
And the greater of you shall be your ministrant,

Mark 10:42-44

but Jesus having called them near, saith to them, 'Ye have known that they who are considered to rule the nations do exercise lordship over them, and their great ones do exercise authority upon them; but not so shall it be among you; but whoever may will to become great among you, he shall be your minister, and whoever of you may will to become first, he shall be servant of all;

Servants » Slaves or bond » When israelites not to be treated with rigor

Leviticus 25:39-40

'And when thy brother becometh poor with thee, and he hath been sold to thee, thou dost not lay on him servile service; as an hireling, as a settler, he is with thee, till the year of the jubilee he doth serve with thee, --

Leviticus 25:46

and ye have taken them for inheritance to your sons after you, to occupy for a possession; to the age ye lay service upon them, but upon your brethren, the sons of Israel, one with another, thou dost not rule over him with rigour.

Servants » Servants not being greater than their masters

John 15:20

'Remember the word that I said to you, A servant is not greater than his lord; if me they did persecute, you also they will persecute; if my word they did keep, yours also they will keep;

Matthew 10:24-25

'A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his lord; sufficient to the disciple that he may be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord; if the master of the house they did call Beelzeboul, how much more those of his household?

John 13:16

verily, verily, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his lord, nor an apostle greater than he who sent him;

Servants » Hired » To be paid without delay at the expiration of their service

Deuteronomy 24:15

in his day thou dost give his hire, and the sun doth not go in upon it, for he is poor, and unto it he is lifting up his soul, and he doth not cry against thee unto Jehovah, and it hath been in thee -- sin.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be anxious for their welfare

2 Kings 5:2-3

And the Aramaeans have gone out by troops, and they take captive out of the land of Israel a little damsel, and she is before the wife of Naaman, and she saith unto her mistress, 'O that my lord were before the prophet who is in Samaria; then he doth recover him from his leprosy.'

1 Samuel 25:14-17

And to Abigail wife of Nabal hath one young man of the youths declared, saying, 'Lo, David hath sent messengers out of the wilderness to bless our lord, and he flieth upon them; and the men are very good to us, and have not put us to shame, and we have not looked after anything all the days we have gone up and down with them, in our being in the field; a wall they have been unto us both by night and by day, all the days of our being with them, feeding the flock. read more.
And, now, know and consider what thou dost; for evil hath been determined against our lord, and against all his house, and he is too much a son of worthlessness to be spoken to.'

Servants » Hired » Hebrew slaves serving strangers to be treated as

Leviticus 25:47

And when the hand of a sojourner or settler with thee attaineth riches, and thy brother with him hath become poor, and he hath been sold to a sojourner, a settler with thee, or to the root of the family of a sojourner,

Leviticus 25:53

as an hireling, year by year, he is with him, and he doth not rule him with rigour before thine eyes.

Servants » Jesus Christ taking the form of a servant

Luke 22:22-27

and indeed the Son of Man doth go according to what hath been determined; but woe to that man through whom he is being delivered up.' And they began to reason among themselves, who then of them it may be, who is about to do this thing. And there happened also a strife among them -- who of them is accounted to be greater. read more.
And he said to them, 'The kings of the nations do exercise lordship over them, and those exercising authority upon them are called benefactors; but ye are not so, but he who is greater among you -- let him be as the younger; and he who is leading, as he who is ministering; for who is greater? he who is reclining (at meat), or he who is ministering? is it not he who is reclining (at meat)? and I -- I am in your midst as he who is ministering.

Philippians 2:5-8

For, let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal to God, but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made, read more.
and in fashion having been found as a man, he humbled himself, having become obedient unto death -- death even of a cross,

Servants » Slaves or bond » Persons of distinction had many

Genesis 14:14

And Abram heareth that his brother hath been taken captive, and he draweth out his trained domestics, three hundred and eighteen, and pursueth unto Dan.

Ecclesiastes 2:7

I got men-servants, and maid-servants, and sons of the house were to me; also, I had much substance -- herd and flock -- above all who had been before me in Jerusalem.

Servants » Unfaithful servants

Luke 19:12-27

He said therefore, 'A certain man of birth went on to a far country, to take to himself a kingdom, and to return, and having called ten servants of his own, he gave to them ten pounds, and said unto them, Do business -- till I come; and his citizens were hating him, and did send an embassy after him, saying, We do not wish this one to reign over us. read more.
'And it came to pass, on his coming back, having taken the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he gave the money, that he might know what any one had done in business. 'And the first came near, saying, Sir, thy pound did gain ten pounds; and he said to him, Well done, good servant, because in a very little thou didst become faithful, be having authority over ten cities. 'And the second came, saying, Sir, thy pound made five pounds; and he said also to this one, And thou, become thou over five cities. 'And another came, saying, Sir, lo, thy pound, that I had lying away in a napkin; for I was afraid of thee, because thou art an austere man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. 'And he saith to him, Out of thy mouth I will judge thee, evil servant: thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow! and wherefore didst thou not give my money to the bank, and I, having come, with interest might have received it? And to those standing by he said, Take from him the pound, and give to him having the ten pounds -- (and they said to him, Sir, he hath ten pounds) -- for I say to you, that to every one having shall be given, and from him not having, also what he hath shall be taken from him, but those my enemies, who did not wish me to reign over them, bring hither and slay before me.'

Matthew 24:42-51

'Watch ye therefore, because ye have not known in what hour your Lord doth come; and this know, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief doth come, he had watched, and not suffered his house to be broken through; because of this also ye, become ye ready, because in what hour ye do not think, the Son of Man doth come. read more.
'Who, then, is the servant, faithful and wise, whom his lord did set over his household, to give them the nourishment in season? Happy that servant, whom his lord, having come, shall find doing so; verily I say to you, that over all his substance he will set him. 'And, if that evil servant may say in his heart, My Lord doth delay to come, and may begin to beat the fellow-servants, and to eat and to drink with the drunken, the lord of that servant will arrive in a day when he doth not expect, and in an hour of which he doth not know, and will cut him off, and his portion with the hypocrites will appoint; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Eye-servants

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Men-pleasers

Servants » Duties of, to masters » Not to serve them with eye-service, as men-pleasers

Servants » Slaves or bond » When israelites to have their liberty after six years service

Deuteronomy 15:12

When thy brother is sold to thee, a Hebrew or a Hebrewess, and he hath served thee six years -- then in the seventh year thou dost send him away free from thee.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Of others not to be coveted or enticed away

Deuteronomy 5:21

Thou dost not desire thy neighbour's wife; nor dost thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, and his man-servant, and his handmaid, his ox, and his ass, and anything which is thy neighbour's.

Exodus 20:17

Thou dost not desire the house of thy neighbour, thou dost not desire the wife of thy neighbour, or his man-servant, or his handmaid, or his ox, or his ass, or anything which is thy neighbour's.'

Servants » Slaves or bond » Captives taken in war often kept as

2 Kings 5:2

And the Aramaeans have gone out by troops, and they take captive out of the land of Israel a little damsel, and she is before the wife of Naaman,

Deuteronomy 20:14

Only, the women, and the infants, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, all its spoil, thou dost seize for thyself, and thou hast eaten the spoil of thine enemies which Jehovah thy God hath given to thee.

Servants » Should serve » Heartily, as to the lord, and not unto men

Servants » Should serve » In singleness of heart

Servants » Should serve » In the fear of God

Servants » Divided into » Bond

Genesis 43:18

and the men are afraid because they have been brought into the house of Joseph, and they say, 'For the matter of the money which was put back in our bags at the commencement are we brought in -- to roll himself upon us, and to throw himself on us, and to take us for servants -- our asses also.'

Leviticus 25:46

and ye have taken them for inheritance to your sons after you, to occupy for a possession; to the age ye lay service upon them, but upon your brethren, the sons of Israel, one with another, thou dost not rule over him with rigour.

Servants » When good » Shall be rewarded

Servants » Bad--exemplified

2 Samuel 14:30

And he saith unto his servants, 'See, the portion of Joab is by the side of mine, and he hath barley there; go, and burn it with fire;' and the servants of Absalom burn the portion with fire.

Genesis 13:7

and there is a strife between those feeding Abram's cattle and those feeding Lot's cattle; and the Canaanite and the Perizzite are then dwelling in the land.

2 Samuel 13:28

And Absalom commandeth his young men, saying, 'See, I pray thee, when the heart of Amnon is glad with wine, and I have said unto you, Smite Amnon, that ye have put him to death; fear not; is it not because I have commanded you? be strong, yea, become sons of valour.'

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Deceit

Psalm 101:6-7

Mine eyes are on the faithful of the land, To dwell with me, Whoso is walking in a perfect way, he serveth me. He dwelleth not in my house who is working deceit, Whoso is speaking lies Is not established before mine eyes.

2 Samuel 19:26

And he saith, 'My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for thy servant said, I saddle for me the ass, and ride on it, and go with the king, for thy servant is lame;

Servants » When good » To be honored

Proverbs 27:18

The keeper of a fig-tree eateth its fruit, And the preserver of his master is honoured.

Genesis 24:31

And he saith, 'Come in, O blessed one of Jehovah, why standest thou without, and I -- I have prepared the house and place for the camels!'

Servants » Hired » If foreigners not allowed to partake of the passover or holy things

Exodus 12:45

a settler or hired servant doth not eat of it;

Leviticus 22:10

'And no stranger doth eat of the holy thing; a settler of a priest and an hireling doth not eat of the holy thing;

Servants » Hired » Engaged by the year

Leviticus 25:53

as an hireling, year by year, he is with him, and he doth not rule him with rigour before thine eyes.

Isaiah 16:14

And now hath Jehovah spoken, saying, 'In three years, as years of an hireling, Lightly esteemed is the honour of Moab, With all the great multitude, And the remnant is little, small, not mighty!'

Servants » Who is not a mere servant

Galatians 4:6-7

and because ye are sons, God did send forth the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father!' so that thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, also an heir of God through Christ.

John 15:1-15

'I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman; every branch in me not bearing fruit, He doth take it away, and every one bearing fruit, He doth cleanse by pruning it, that it may bear more fruit; already ye are clean, because of the word that I have spoken to you; read more.
remain in me, and I in you, as the branch is not able to bear fruit of itself, if it may not remain in the vine, so neither ye, if ye may not remain in me. 'I am the vine, ye the branches; he who is remaining in me, and I in him, this one doth bear much fruit, because apart from me ye are not able to do anything; if any one may not remain in me, he was cast forth without as the branch, and was withered, and they gather them, and cast to fire, and they are burned; if ye may remain in me, and my sayings in you may remain, whatever ye may wish ye shall ask, and it shall be done to you. 'In this was my Father glorified, that ye may bear much fruit, and ye shall become my disciples. According as the Father did love me, I also loved you, remain in my love; if my commandments ye may keep, ye shall remain in my love, according as I the commands of my Father have kept, and do remain in His love; these things I have spoken to you, that my joy in you may remain, and your joy may be full. 'This is my command, that ye love one another, according as I did love you; greater love than this hath no one, that any one his life may lay down for his friends; ye are my friends, if ye may do whatever I command you; no more do I call you servants, because the servant hath not known what his lord doth, and you I have called friends, because all things that I heard from my Father, I did make known to you.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To bless God for mercies shown to them

Genesis 24:48

and I bow, and do obeisance before Jehovah, and I bless Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, who hath led me in the true way to receive the daughter of my lord's brother for his son.

Genesis 24:27

and saith, 'Blessed is Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, who hath not left off His kindness and His truth with my lord; -- I being in the way, Jehovah hath led me to the house of my lord's brethren.'

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be industrious in laboring for them

Nehemiah 4:16

yea, it cometh to pass, from that day, half of my servants are working in the business, and half of them are keeping hold of both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the heads are behind all the house of Judah.

Nehemiah 4:23

and there are none -- I and my brethren and my servants, the men of the guard who are after me -- there are none of us putting off our garments, each hath his vessel of water.

Servants » Slaves or bond » When foreigners to be circumcised

Genesis 17:13

he is certainly circumcised who is born in thine house, or bought with thy money; and My covenant hath become in your flesh a covenant age-during;

Genesis 17:27

and all the men of his house -- born in the house, and bought with money from the son of a stranger -- have been circumcised with him.

Servants » Slaves or bond » By purchase

Genesis 37:36

And the Medanites have sold him unto Egypt, to Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh, head of the executioners.

Genesis 17:27

and all the men of his house -- born in the house, and bought with money from the son of a stranger -- have been circumcised with him.

Servants » When good » Often exalted

Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.

Genesis 41:40

thou -- thou art over my house, and at thy mouth do all my people kiss; only in the throne I am greater than thou.'

Servants » Who is the servant of sin

John 8:34-35

Jesus answered them, 'Verily, verily, I say to you -- Every one who is committing sin, is a servant of the sin, and the servant doth not remain in the house -- to the age, the son doth remain -- to the age;

Romans 6:15-20

What then? shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? let it not be! have ye not known that to whom ye present yourselves servants for obedience, servants ye are to him to whom ye obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? and thanks to God, that ye were servants of the sin, and -- were obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which ye were delivered up; read more.
and having been freed from the sin, ye became servants to the righteousness. In the manner of men I speak, because of the weakness of your flesh, for even as ye did present your members servants to the uncleanness and to the lawlessness -- to the lawlessness, so now present your members servants to the righteousness -- to sanctification, for when ye were servants of the sin, ye were free from the righteousness,

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Quarrelsomeness

Genesis 26:20

and shepherds of Gerar strive with shepherds of Isaac, saying, 'The water is ours;' and he calleth the name of the well 'Strife,' because they have striven habitually with him;

Genesis 13:7

and there is a strife between those feeding Abram's cattle and those feeding Lot's cattle; and the Canaanite and the Perizzite are then dwelling in the land.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Persons unable to pay their debts liable to be sold as

2 Kings 4:1

And a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets hath cried unto Elisha, saying, 'Thy servant, my husband, is dead, and thou hast known that thy servant was fearing Jehovah, and the lender hath come to take my two children to him for servants.'

Nehemiah 5:4-5

And there are who are saying, 'We have borrowed money for the tribute of the king, on our fields, and our vineyards; and now, as the flesh of our brethren is our flesh, as their sons are our sons, and lo, we are subduing our sons and our daughters for servants, and there are of our daughters subdued, and our hand hath no might, and our fields and our vineyards are to others.'

Servants » Slaves or bond » Engaged in the most menial offices

John 13:4-5

doth rise from the supper, and doth lay down his garments, and having taken a towel, he girded himself; afterward he putteth water into the basin, and began to wash the feet of his disciples, and to wipe with the towel with which he was being girded.

1 Samuel 25:41

And she riseth and boweth herself -- face to the earth -- and saith, 'Lo, thy handmaid is for a maid-servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.'

Servants » Slaves or bond » Called bondmen

Genesis 43:18

and the men are afraid because they have been brought into the house of Joseph, and they say, 'For the matter of the money which was put back in our bags at the commencement are we brought in -- to roll himself upon us, and to throw himself on us, and to take us for servants -- our asses also.'

Genesis 44:9

with whomsoever of thy servants it is found, he hath died, and we also are to my lord for servants.'

Servants » Divided into » Male

Genesis 32:5

and I have ox, and ass, flock, and man-servant, and maid-servant, and I send to declare to my lord, to find grace in his eyes.'

Genesis 24:34

And he saith, 'I am Abraham's servant;

Servants » When good » Bring God's blessing upon their masters

Genesis 30:27

And Laban saith unto him, 'If, I pray thee, I have found grace in thine eyes -- I have observed diligently that Jehovah doth bless me for thy sake.'

Genesis 39:3

and his lord seeth that Jehovah is with him, and all that he is doing Jehovah is causing to prosper in his hand,

Servants » When good » Are guided by God

Genesis 24:7

Jehovah, God of the heavens, who hath taken me from the house of my father, and from the land of my birth, and who hath spoken to me, and who hath sworn to me, saying, To thy seed I give this land, He doth send His messenger before thee, and thou hast taken a wife for my son from thence;

Genesis 24:27

and saith, 'Blessed is Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, who hath not left off His kindness and His truth with my lord; -- I being in the way, Jehovah hath led me to the house of my lord's brethren.'

Servants » Persons devoted to the service of another so called

1 Kings 19:21

And he turneth back from after him, and taketh the yoke of oxen, and sacrificeth it, and with instruments of the oxen he hath boiled their flesh, and giveth to the people, and they eat, and he riseth, and goeth after Elijah, and serveth him.

Exodus 24:13

And Moses riseth -- Joshua his minister also -- and Moses goeth up unto the mount of God;

Servants » Good--exemplified

Genesis 35:8

And Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, dieth, and she is buried at the lower part of Bethel, under the oak, and he calleth its name 'Oak of weeping.'

Genesis 24:59

And they send away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men;

Acts 7:10

and did deliver him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he did set him -- governor over Egypt and all his house.

Genesis 39:3

and his lord seeth that Jehovah is with him, and all that he is doing Jehovah is causing to prosper in his hand,

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Lying

2 Kings 5:22

And he saith, 'Peace; my lord hath sent me, saying, Lo, now, this, come unto me have two young men from the hill-country of Ephraim, of the sons of the prophets; give, I pray thee, to them, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.'

2 Kings 5:25

And he hath come in, and doth stand by his lord, and Elisha saith unto him, 'Whence -- Gehazi?' and he saith, 'Thy servant went not hither or thither.'

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To honor them

1 Timothy 6:1

As many as are servants under a yoke, their own masters worthy of all honour let them reckon, that the name of God and the teaching may not be evil spoken of;

Malachi 1:6

A son honoureth a father, and a servant his master. And if I am a father, where is Mine honour? And if I am a master, where is My fear? Said Jehovah of Hosts to you, O priests, despising My name! And ye have said: 'In what have we despised Thy name?'

Servants » Divided into » Female

Genesis 32:5

and I have ox, and ass, flock, and man-servant, and maid-servant, and I send to declare to my lord, to find grace in his eyes.'

Genesis 16:6

And Abram saith unto Sarai, 'Lo, thine handmaid is in thine hand, do to her that which is good in thine eyes;' and Sarai afflicted her, and she fleeth from her presence.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be profitable to them

Luke 19:15-16

'And it came to pass, on his coming back, having taken the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he gave the money, that he might know what any one had done in business. 'And the first came near, saying, Sir, thy pound did gain ten pounds;

Luke 19:18

'And the second came, saying, Sir, thy pound made five pounds;

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To obey them

Titus 2:9

Servants -- to their own masters are to be subject, in all things to be well-pleasing, not gainsaying,

Servants » The subjects of a prince or king so called

Exodus 11:8

and all these thy servants have come down unto me, and bowed themselves to me, saying, Go out, thou and all the people who are at thy feet; and afterwards I do go out;' -- and he goeth out from Pharaoh in the heat of anger.

Exodus 9:20

He who is fearing the word of Jehovah among the servants of Pharaoh hath caused his servants and his cattle to flee unto the houses;

Servants » Hired » Often oppressed and their wages kept back

Servants » Hired » Called hirelings

John 10:12-13

and the hireling, and not being a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, doth behold the wolf coming, and doth leave the sheep, and doth flee; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep; and the hireling doth flee because he is an hireling, and is not caring for the sheep.

Servants » Divided into » Hired

Mark 1:20

and immediately he called them, and, having left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, they went away after him.

Luke 15:17

'And having come to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father have a superabundance of bread, and I here with hunger am perishing!

Servants » Who not to be the servant of

1 Corinthians 7:23-24

with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men; each, in that in which he was called, brethren, in this let him remain with God.

Servants » Should be contented in their situation

1 Corinthians 7:20-21

Each in the calling in which he was called -- in this let him remain; a servant -- wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free -- use it rather;

Servants » Slaves or bond » To be furnished liberally, when their servitude expired

Deuteronomy 15:13-14

And when thou dost send him away free from thee, thou dost not send him away empty; thou dost certainly encircle him out of thy flock, and out of thy threshing-floor, and out of thy wine-vat; of that which Jehovah thy God hath blessed thee thou dost give to him,

Servants » Slaves or bond » Sometimes intermarried with their master's family

1 Chronicles 2:34-35

And Sheshan had no sons, but daughters, and Sheshan hath a servant, an Egyptian, and his name is Jarha, and Sheshan giveth his daughter to Jarha his servant for a wife, and she beareth to him Attai;

Servants » Wise servants

Proverbs 17:2

A wise servant ruleth over a son causing shame, And in the midst of brethren He apportioneth an inheritance.

Proverbs 14:35

The favour of a king is to a wise servant, And an object of his wrath is one causing shame!

Servants » Slaves or bond » Israelites sold to strangers as, might be redeemed by their nearest of kin

Leviticus 25:47-55

And when the hand of a sojourner or settler with thee attaineth riches, and thy brother with him hath become poor, and he hath been sold to a sojourner, a settler with thee, or to the root of the family of a sojourner, after he hath been sold, there is a right of redemption to him; one of his brethren doth redeem him, or his uncle, or a son of his uncle, doth redeem him, or any of the relations of his flesh, of his family, doth redeem him, or -- his own hand hath attained -- then he hath been redeemed. read more.
'And he hath reckoned with his buyer from the year of his being sold to him till the year of jubilee, and the money of his sale hath been by the number of years; as the days of an hireling it is with him. If yet many years, according to them he giveth back his redemption money, from the money of his purchase. And if few are left of the years till the year of jubilee, then he hath reckoned with him, according to his years he doth give back his redemption money; as an hireling, year by year, he is with him, and he doth not rule him with rigour before thine eyes. And if he is not redeemed in these years, then he hath gone out in the year of jubilee, he and his sons with him. For to Me are the sons of Israel servants; My servants they are, whom I have brought out of the land of Egypt; I, Jehovah, am your God.

Servants » When good » Are the lord's freemen

1 Corinthians 7:22

for he who is in the Lord -- having been called a servant -- is the Lord's freedman: in like manner also he the freeman, having been called, is servant of Christ:

Servants » Hired » Hebrew slaves serving their brethren to be treated as

Leviticus 25:39-40

'And when thy brother becometh poor with thee, and he hath been sold to thee, thou dost not lay on him servile service; as an hireling, as a settler, he is with thee, till the year of the jubilee he doth serve with thee, --

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Do not bear to be exalted

Proverbs 30:21-22

For three things hath earth been troubled, And for four -- it is not able to bear: For a servant when he reigneth, And a fool when he is satisfied with bread,

Servants » Slaves or bond » Seeking protection not to be delivered up to masters

Deuteronomy 23:15

'Thou dost not shut up a servant unto his lord, who is delivered unto thee from his lord;

Servants » Slaves or bond » Sometimes rose to rank and station

Ecclesiastes 10:7

I have seen servants on horses, And princes walking as servants on the earth.

Servants » Slaves or bond » More valuable than hired servants

Deuteronomy 15:18

'It is not hard in thine eyes, in thy sending him away free from thee; for the double of the hire of an hireling he hath served thee six years, and Jehovah thy God hath blessed thee in all that thou dost.

Servants » Hired » Not to be oppressed

Servants » Persons of low condition so called

Ecclesiastes 10:7

I have seen servants on horses, And princes walking as servants on the earth.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be prudent in the management of their affairs

Genesis 24:34-49

And he saith, 'I am Abraham's servant; and Jehovah hath blessed my lord exceedingly, and he is great; and He giveth to him flock, and herd, and silver, and gold, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and camels, and asses; and Sarah, my lord's wife, beareth a son to my lord, after she hath been aged, and he giveth to him all that he hath. read more.
'And my lord causeth me to swear, saying, Thou dost not take a wife to my son from the daughters of the Canaanite, in whose land I am dwelling. If not -- unto the house of my father thou dost go, and unto my family, and thou hast taken a wife for my son. 'And I say unto my lord, It may be the woman doth not come after me; and he saith unto me, Jehovah, before whom I have walked habitually, doth send His messenger with thee, and hath prospered thy way, and thou hast taken a wife for my son from my family, and from the house of my father; then art thou acquitted from my oath, when thou comest unto my family, and if they give not one to thee; then thou hast been acquitted from my oath. And I come to-day unto the fountain, and I say, Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, if Thou art, I pray Thee, making prosperous my way in which I am going -- (lo, I am standing by the fountain of water), then the virgin who is coming out to draw, and I have said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher, and she hath said unto me, Both drink thou, and also for thy camels I draw -- she is the woman whom Jehovah hath decided for my lord's son. 'Before I finish speaking unto my heart, then lo, Rebekah is coming out, and her pitcher on her shoulder, and she goeth down to the fountain, and draweth; and I say unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee, and she hasteth and letteth down her pitcher from off her and saith, Drink, and thy camels also I water; and I drink, and the camels also she hath watered. And I ask her, and say, Whose daughter art thou? and she saith, Daughter of Bethuel, son of Nahor, whom Milcah hath borne to him, and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands, and I bow, and do obeisance before Jehovah, and I bless Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, who hath led me in the true way to receive the daughter of my lord's brother for his son. 'And now, if ye are dealing kindly and truly with my lord, declare to me; and if not, declare to me; and I turn unto the right or unto the left.'

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be earnest in transacting their business

Genesis 24:54-56

And they eat and drink, he and the men who are with him, and lodge all night; and they rise in the morning, and he saith, 'Send me to my lord;' and her brother saith -- her mother also -- 'Let the young person abide with us a week or ten days, afterwards doth she go.' And he saith unto them, 'Do not delay me, seeing Jehovah hath prospered my way; send me away, and I go to my lord;'

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be kind and attentive to their guests

Genesis 43:23-24

And he saith, 'Peace to you, fear not: your God and the God of your father hath given to you hidden treasure in your bags, your money came unto me;' and he bringeth out Simeon unto them. And the man bringeth in the men into Joseph's house, and giveth water, and they wash their feet; and he giveth provender for their asses,

Servants » Good--exemplified » jacob

Genesis 31:36-40

And it is displeasing to Jacob, and he striveth with Laban; and Jacob answereth and saith to Laban, 'What is my transgression? what my sin, that thou hast burned after me? for thou hast felt all my vessels: what hast thou found of all the vessels of thy house? set here before my brethren, and thy brethren, and they decide between us both. These twenty years I am with thee: thy ewes and thy she-goats have not miscarried, and the rams of thy flock I have not eaten; read more.
the torn I have not brought in unto thee -- I, I repay it -- from my hand thou dost seek it; I have been deceived by day, and I have been deceived by night; I have been thus: in the day consumed me hath drought, and frost by night, and wander doth my sleep from mine eyes.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Laws respecting, often violated

Jeremiah 34:8-16

The word that hath been unto Jeremiah from Jehovah, after the making by the king Zedekiah of a covenant with all the people who are in Jerusalem, to proclaim to them liberty, to send out each his man-servant, and each his maid-servant -- the Hebrew and the Hebrewess -- free, so as not to lay service on them, any on a Jew his brother; and hearken do all the heads, and all the people who have come in to the covenant to send forth each his man-servant and each his maid-servant free, so as not to lay service on them any more, yea, they hearken, and send them away; read more.
and they turn afterwards, and cause the men-servants and the maid-servants to return, whom they had sent forth free, and they subdue them for men-servants and for maid-servants. And there is a word of Jehovah unto Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying: Thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, I -- I made a covenant with your fathers in the day of My bringing them forth from the land of Egypt, from a house of servants, saying, At the end of seven years ye do send forth each his brother, the Hebrew, who is sold to thee, and hath served thee six years, yea, thou hast sent him forth free from thee: and your fathers hearkened not unto Me, nor inclined their ear. 'And ye turn back, ye to-day, and ye do that which is right in Mine eyes, to proclaim liberty each to his neighbour, and ye make a covenant before Me in the house over which My name is called. And -- ye turn back, and pollute My name, and ye cause each his man-servant and each his maid-servant, whom he had sent forth free, (at their pleasure,) to return, and ye subdue them to be to you for men-servants and for maid-servants.

Servants » Who is not the servant of Christ

Galatians 1:6-10

I wonder that ye are so quickly removed from Him who did call you in the grace of Christ to another good news; that is not another, except there be certain who are troubling you, and wishing to pervert the good news of the Christ; but even if we or a messenger out of heaven may proclaim good news to you different from what we did proclaim to you -- anathema let him be! read more.
as we have said before, and now say again, If any one to you may proclaim good news different from what ye did receive -- anathema let him be! for now men do I persuade, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if yet men I did please -- Christ's servant I should not be.

Servants » The property of masters increased by faithful

Genesis 30:29-30

And he saith unto him, 'Thou -- thou hast known that which I have served thee in, and that which thy substance was with me; for it is little which thou hast had at my appearance, and it breaketh forth into a multitude, and Jehovah blesseth thee at my coming; and now, when do I make, I also, for mine own house?'

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Ziba

2 Samuel 16:1-4

And David hath passed on a little from the top, and lo, Ziba, servant of Mephibosheth -- to meet him, and a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves, and a hundred bunches of raisins, and a hundred of summer-fruit, and a bottle of wine. And the king saith unto Ziba, 'What -- these to thee?' and Ziba saith, 'The asses for the household of the king to ride on, and the bread and the summer-fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for the wearied to drink in the wilderness.' And the king saith, 'And where is the son of thy lord?' and Ziba saith unto the king, 'Lo, he is abiding in Jerusalem, for he said, To-day do the house of Israel give back to me the kingdom of my father.' read more.
And the king saith to Ziba, 'Lo, thine are all that Mephibosheth hath;' and Ziba saith, 'I have bowed myself -- I find grace in thine eyes, my lord, O king.'

Servants » Slaves or bond » Persons belonging to other nations might be purchased as

Leviticus 25:44

And thy man-servant and thy handmaid whom thou hast are of the nations who are round about you; of them ye buy man-servant and handmaid,

Servants » Slaves or bond » Strangers sojourning in israel might be purchased as

Leviticus 25:45

and also of the sons of the settlers who are sojourning with you, of them ye buy, and of their families who are with you, which they have begotten in your land, and they have been to you for a possession;

Servants » Slaves or bond » Maimed or injured by masters, to have their freedom

Exodus 21:26-27

'And when a man smiteth the eye of his man-servant, or the eye of his handmaid, and hath destroyed it, as a freeman he doth send him away for his eye; and if a tooth of his man-servant or a tooth of his handmaid he knock out, as a freeman he doth send him away for his tooth.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Laws respecting the killing of

Exodus 21:20-21

And when a man smiteth his man-servant or his handmaid, with a rod, and he hath died under his hand -- he is certainly avenged; only if he remain a day, or two days, he is not avenged, for he is his money.

Servants » Should serve » As the servants of Christ

Ephesians 6:5-6

The servants! obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to the Christ; not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as servants of the Christ, doing the will of God out of soul,

Servants » When good » Are the servants of Christ

Servants » When patient under injury are acceptable to God

1 Peter 2:19-20

for this is gracious, if because of conscience toward God any one doth endure sorrows, suffering unrighteously; for what renown is it, if sinning and being buffeted, ye do endure it? but if, doing good and suffering for it, ye do endure, this is gracious with God,

Servants » Early mention of

Genesis 9:25-26

and saith: 'Cursed is Canaan, Servant of servants he is to his brethren.' And he saith: 'Blessed of Jehovah my God is Shem, And Canaan is servant to him.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Will not submit to correction

Proverbs 29:19

By words a servant is not instructed though he understand, And there is nothing answering.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To sympathize with them

2 Samuel 12:18

and it cometh to pass on the seventh day, that the lad dieth, and the servants of David fear to declare to him that the lad is dead, for they said, 'Lo, in the lad being alive we spake unto him, and he did not hearken to our voice; and how do we say unto him, The lad is dead? -- then he hath done evil.'

Servants » Good--exemplified » David's servants

2 Samuel 12:18

and it cometh to pass on the seventh day, that the lad dieth, and the servants of David fear to declare to him that the lad is dead, for they said, 'Lo, in the lad being alive we spake unto him, and he did not hearken to our voice; and how do we say unto him, The lad is dead? -- then he hath done evil.'

Servants » Slaves or bond » Laws respecting marriage with female

Exodus 21:7-11

'And when a man selleth his daughter for a handmaid, she doth not go out according to the going out of the men-servants; if evil in the eyes of her lord, so that he hath not betrothed her, then he hath let her be ransomed; to a strange people he hath not power to sell her, in his dealing treacherously with her. 'And if to his son he betroth her, according to the right of daughters he doth to her. read more.
If another woman he take for him, her food, her covering, and her habitation, he doth not withdraw; and if these three he do not to her, then she hath gone out for nought, without money.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Custom of branding, alluded to

Servants » When good » Often advanced by master

Genesis 39:4-5

and Joseph findeth grace in his eyes and serveth him, and he appointeth him over his house, and all that he hath he hath given into his hand. And it cometh to pass from the time that he hath appointed him over his house, and over all that he hath, that Jehovah blesseth the house of the Egyptian for Joseph's sake, and the blessing of Jehovah is on all that he hath, in the house, and in the field;

Servants » Hired » To partake of the produce of the land the sabbatical year

Leviticus 25:6

'And the sabbath of the land hath been to you for food, to thee, and to thy man-servant, and to thy handmaid, and to thy hireling, and to thy settler, who are sojourning with thee;

Servants » Hired » Often stood in the market place waiting for employment

Matthew 20:1-3

'For the reign of the heavens is like to a man, a householder, who went forth with the morning to hire workmen for his vineyard, and having agreed with the workmen for a denary a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 'And having gone forth about the third hour, he saw others standing in the market-place idle,

Servants » Who shall be servant to the wise of heart

Proverbs 11:29

Whoso is troubling his own house inheriteth wind, And a servant is the fool to the wise of heart.

Servants » Whose servants are wicked

Proverbs 29:12

A ruler who is attending to lying words, All his ministers are wicked.

Servants » Who are the servants of corruption

2 Peter 2:1-19

And there did come also false prophets among the people, as also among you there shall be false teachers, who shall bring in besides destructive sects, and the Master who bought them denying, bringing to themselves quick destruction, and many shall follow out their destructive ways, because of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of, and in covetousness, with moulded words, of you they shall make merchandise, whose judgment of old is not idle, and their destruction doth not slumber. read more.
For if God messengers who sinned did not spare, but with chains of thick gloom, having cast them down to Tartarus, did deliver them to judgment, having been reserved, and the old world did not spare, but the eighth person, Noah, of righteousness a preacher, did keep, a flood on the world of the impious having brought, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah having turned to ashes, with an overthrow did condemn, an example to those about to be impious having set them; and righteous Lot, worn down by the conduct in lasciviousness of the impious, He did rescue, for in seeing and hearing, the righteous man, dwelling among them, day by day the righteous soul with unlawful works was harassing. The Lord hath known to rescue pious ones out of temptation, and unrighteous ones to a day of judgment, being punished, to keep, and chiefly those going behind the flesh in desire of uncleanness, and lordship despising; presumptuous, self-complacent, dignities they are not afraid to speak evil of, whereas messengers, in strength and power being greater, do not bear against them before the Lord an evil speaking judgment; and these, as irrational natural beasts, made to be caught and destroyed -- in what things they are ignorant of, speaking evil -- in their destruction shall be destroyed, about to receive a reward of unrighteousness, pleasures counting the luxury in the day, spots and blemishes, luxuriating in their deceits, feasting with you, having eyes full of adultery, and unable to cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having an heart exercised in covetousnesses, children of a curse, having forsaken a right way, they did go astray, having followed in the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who a reward of unrighteousness did love, and had a rebuke of his own iniquity -- a dumb ass, in man's voice having spoken, did forbid the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, and clouds by a tempest driven, to whom the thick gloom of the darkness to the age hath been kept; for overswellings of vanity speaking, they do entice in desires of the flesh -- lasciviousnesses, those who had truly escaped from those conducting themselves in error, liberty to them promising, themselves being servants of the corruption, for by whom any one hath been overcome, to this one also he hath been brought to servitude,

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Unmerciful to their fellows

Matthew 18:30

and he would not, but having gone away, he cast him into prison, till he might pay that which was owing.

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Gluttony, &c

Matthew 24:49

and may begin to beat the fellow-servants, and to eat and to drink with the drunken,

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Shall be punished

Matthew 24:50

the lord of that servant will arrive in a day when he doth not expect, and in an hour of which he doth not know,

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To prefer their business to their own necessary food

Genesis 24:33

and setteth before him to eat; but he saith, 'I do not eat till I have spoken my word;' and he saith, 'Speak.'

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To revere them the more, when they are believers

1 Timothy 6:2

and those having believing masters, let them not slight them, because they are brethren, but rather let them serve, because they are stedfast and beloved, who of the benefit are partaking. These things be teaching and exhorting;

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To pray for them

Genesis 24:12

And he saith, 'Jehovah, God of my lord Abraham, cause to meet, I pray Thee, before me this day -- (and do kindness with my lord Abraham;

Servants » Good--exemplified » Onesimus after his conversion

Philemon 1:11

who once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,

Servants » Good--exemplified » Captive maid

2 Kings 5:2-4

And the Aramaeans have gone out by troops, and they take captive out of the land of Israel a little damsel, and she is before the wife of Naaman, and she saith unto her mistress, 'O that my lord were before the prophet who is in Samaria; then he doth recover him from his leprosy.' And one goeth in and declareth to his lord, saying, 'Thus and thus she hath spoken, the damsel who is from the land of Israel.'

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Onesimus before his conversion

Philemon 1:11

who once was to thee unprofitable, and now is profitable to me and to thee,

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Servants of abimelech

Genesis 21:25

And Abraham reasoned with Abimelech concerning the matter of a well of water which Abimelech's servants have taken violently away,

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Servants of amon

2 Kings 21:23

And the servants of Amon conspire against him, and put the king to death in his own house,

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Jeroboam

1 Kings 11:26

And Jeroboam son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda -- the name of whose mother is Zeruah, a widow woman -- servant to Solomon, he also lifteth up a hand against the king;

Servants » Slaves or bond » Israelites sold as, refusing their liberty, to have their ears bored to the door

Exodus 21:5-6

And if the servant really say: I have loved my lord, my wife, and my sons -- I do not go out free; then hath his lord brought him nigh unto God, and hath brought him nigh unto the door, or unto the side-post, and his lord hath bored his ear with an awl, and he hath served him -- to the age.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Could not when set free demand wives or children procured during servitude

Exodus 21:3-4

if by himself he cometh in, by himself he goeth out; if he is owner of a wife, then his wife hath gone out with him; if his lord give to him a wife, and she hath borne to him sons or daughters -- the wife and her children are her lord's, and he goeth out by himself.

Servants » Should serve » As doing the will of God from the heart

Servants » Should serve » With good will

Servants » When good » Are brethren beloved in the lord

Philemon 1:16

no more as a servant, but above a servant -- a brother beloved, especially to me, and how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord!

Servants » When good » Are blessed by God

Servants » Should be compassionate to their fellows

Matthew 18:33

did it not behove also thee to have dealt kindly with thy fellow-servant, as I also dealt kindly with thee?

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Covetousness

2 Kings 5:20

And Gehazi, servant of Elisha the man of God, saith, 'Lo, my lord hath spared Naaman this Aramaean, not to receive from his hand that which he brought; Jehovah liveth; surely if I have run after him, then I have taken from him something.'

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To be subject to them

Servants » Good--exemplified » Servants of naaman

2 Kings 5:13

And his servants come nigh, and speak unto him, and say, 'My father, a great thing had the prophet spoken unto thee -- dost thou not do it? and surely, when he hath said unto thee, Wash, and be clean.'

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Servants of shimei

1 Kings 2:39

And it cometh to pass, at the end of three years, that flee do two of the servants of Shimei unto Achish son of Maachah, king of Gath, and they declare to Shimei, saying, 'Lo, thy servants are in Gath;'

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Gehazi

2 Kings 5:20

And Gehazi, servant of Elisha the man of God, saith, 'Lo, my lord hath spared Naaman this Aramaean, not to receive from his hand that which he brought; Jehovah liveth; surely if I have run after him, then I have taken from him something.'

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Zimri

1 Kings 16:9

and conspire against him doth his servant Zimri (head of the half of the chariots) and he is in Tirzah drinking -- a drunkard in the house of Arza, who is over the house in Tirzah.

Servants » Slaves or bond » Masters to be recompensed for injury done to

Exodus 21:32

'If the ox gore a man-servant or a handmaid, thirty silver shekels he doth give to their lord, and the ox is stoned.

Servants » Slaves or bond » To be allowed to rest on the sabbath

Exodus 20:10

and the seventh day is a Sabbath to Jehovah thy God; thou dost not do any work, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, thy man-servant, and thy handmaid, and thy cattle, and thy sojourner who is within thy gates, --

Servants » Should serve » For conscience towards God

1 Peter 2:19

for this is gracious, if because of conscience toward God any one doth endure sorrows, suffering unrighteously;

Servants » When good » Are mourned over after death

Genesis 35:8

And Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, dieth, and she is buried at the lower part of Bethel, under the oak, and he calleth its name 'Oak of weeping.'

Servants » When good » Are protected by God

Genesis 31:7

and your father hath played upon me, and hath changed my hire ten times; and God hath not suffered him to do evil with me.

Servants » When good » Are prospered by God

Genesis 39:3

and his lord seeth that Jehovah is with him, and all that he is doing Jehovah is causing to prosper in his hand,

Servants » Hired » Engaged by the day

Matthew 20:2

and having agreed with the workmen for a denary a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Servants » Should follow Christ's example

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To attend to their call

Psalm 123:2

Lo, as eyes of men-servants Are unto the hand of their masters, As eyes of a maid-servant Are unto the hand of her mistress, So are our eyes unto Jehovah our God, Till that He doth favour us.

Servants » Good--exemplified » Servants of centurion

Matthew 8:9

for I also am a man under authority, having under myself soldiers, and I say to this one, Go, and he goeth, and to another, Be coming, and he cometh, and to my servant, Do this, and he doth it.'

Servants » Slaves or bond » Thieves unable to make restitution were sold as

Exodus 22:3

if the sun hath risen upon him, blood is for him, he doth certainly repay; if he have nothing, then he hath been sold for his theft;

Servants » Characteristics of wicked servants: » Stealing

Titus 2:10

not purloining, but showing all good stedfastness, that the teaching of God our Saviour they may adorn in all things.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » Not to defraud them

Titus 2:10

not purloining, but showing all good stedfastness, that the teaching of God our Saviour they may adorn in all things.

Servants » When good » Adorn the doctrine of God their saviour in all things

Titus 2:10

not purloining, but showing all good stedfastness, that the teaching of God our Saviour they may adorn in all things.

Servants » Hired » Often will fed and taken care of

Luke 15:17

'And having come to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father have a superabundance of bread, and I here with hunger am perishing!

Servants » Are inferior to their masters

Luke 22:27

for who is greater? he who is reclining (at meat), or he who is ministering? is it not he who is reclining (at meat)? and I -- I am in your midst as he who is ministering.

Servants » Duties of, to masters » To please them well in all things

Titus 2:9

Servants -- to their own masters are to be subject, in all things to be well-pleasing, not gainsaying,

Servants » Duties of, to masters » Not to answer them rudely

Titus 2:9

Servants -- to their own masters are to be subject, in all things to be well-pleasing, not gainsaying,

Servants » Good--exemplified » Servants of cornelius

Acts 10:7

And when the messenger who is speaking to Cornelius went away, having called two of his domestics, and a pious soldier of those waiting on him continually,

Servants » Bad--exemplified » Job's servants

Job 19:16

To my servant I have called, And he doth not answer, With my mouth I make supplication to him.

Servants » Hired » To be esteemed worthy of their hire

Servants » Good--exemplified » Servants of boaz

Ruth 2:4

And lo, Boaz hath come from Beth-Lehem, and saith to the reapers, 'Jehovah is with you;' and they say to him, 'Jehovah doth bless thee.'

Servants » Hired » Anxiety of, for the end of their daily toil, alluded to

Job 7:2

As a servant desireth the shadow, And as a hireling expecteth his wage,

Topics on Servants

Examples Of Bad Servants

2 Samuel 16:1-4

And David hath passed on a little from the top, and lo, Ziba, servant of Mephibosheth -- to meet him, and a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves, and a hundred bunches of raisins, and a hundred of summer-fruit, and a bottle of wine.

Fire From God's Servants

Genesis 3:24

yea, he casteth out the man, and causeth to dwell at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubs and the flame of the sword which is turning itself round to guard the way of the tree of life.

Servants Of People

Psalm 123:2

Lo, as eyes of men-servants Are unto the hand of their masters, As eyes of a maid-servant Are unto the hand of her mistress, So are our eyes unto Jehovah our God, Till that He doth favour us.

Servants, Good

1 Kings 11:28

and the man Jeroboam is mighty in valour, and Solomon seeth the young man that he is doing business, and appointeth him over all the burden of the house of Joseph.

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Theasaurus: Servants