Reference: Handmaid, Handmaiden
Morish
These words often refer in scripture to a female slave, as applied to Hagar the Egyptian, Ge 25:12; but were also used by women themselves as a term of humility, as when Hannah spake to Jehovah and to Eli, 1Sa 1:11,16,18; as Abigail to David, 1Sa 25:24-41; and by Mary and Elizabeth as handmaids of the Lord. Lu 1:38,48.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
This is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maid, bore to Abraham.
O Jehovah of Hosts: If you will truly notice the sorrow of your servant. Remember me. Do not turn away from me. If you will give me a son, then I will give him to you, Jehovah, all the days of his life. His hair will never be cut.
Do not consider your maidservant a worthless woman. I pray like this because I am miserable and filled with grief.
Let your maidservant find favor in your sight, she replied. Then she went away, ate some food, and was no longer sad (self-concerned).
She fell at his feet and said: Let me be held responsible for this wrong. Please let me speak with you. Please listen to me. You should not take this worthless person Nabal seriously. He is like his name. His name is Nabal (Godless Fool). He is foolish. But I did not see the young men you sent. read more. Jehovah kept you from spilling innocent blood and from getting a victory by your own efforts. As Jehovah lives and you live, may your enemies and those who are trying to harm you end up like Nabal. Please accept this gift from your maidservant. And give it to the young men who accompany my lord. Also please forgive the transgression of your maidservant. Jehovah will certainly give you a lasting dynasty, because my lord is fighting the battles of Jehovah. Evil will not be found in you all your days. Even if someone pursues you to take your life, your life is wrapped securely in the bundle (purse) (bag) of the living from Jehovah your God (God will keep you safe). He will dispose of the lives of your enemies. They will be hurled like stones from a sling. When Jehovah does all the good he promised and makes you ruler of Israel, you should not have a troubled conscience because you spilled blood for no good reason and claimed your own victory. When Jehovah gives you success, remember me. David said to Abigail: Blessed is Jehovah the God of Israel, who sent you today to meet me. Blessed is your good judgment and blessed are you for keeping me from slaughtering people today and from getting a victory by my own efforts. I solemnly promise as Jehovah the God of Israel lives that if you had not come to meet me Nabal would not have had one of his men alive at dawn. Then David accepted what she brought him. He said: Go home in peace. I have listened to what you said and I grant your request. When Abigail came to Nabal, he was holding a banquet in his home. It was like a king's banquet. He was in a good mood and very drunk, so she did not tell him anything until dawn. In the morning after the effects of the wine wore off his wife told him what had happened. Nabal had a stroke. He could not move. Ten days later Jehovah made him sicker and Nabal died. David heard Nabal was dead. He said: Blessed is Jehovah who defended me against the insults of Nabal. He kept me from doing wrong. Jehovah has turned Nabal's own wickedness back on him. David sent men on his behalf to propose marriage to Abigail. David's servants approached Abigail at Carmel. They told her: David sent us to you to take you to him to be his wife. She bowed down with her face touching the ground. I am ready to serve, she said. I am willing to wash the feet of my master's servants.
Mary said: Look, Jehovah's servant. Let it happen to me as you spoke. The angel departed from her. (1 Samuel 1:11)
He has looked on the low position of his servant. All generations from now on will call me blessed.