Meaning
A female servant, especially a woman employed or kept to perform household or personal service.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses maidservant for women serving within households or under the authority of another person. Maidservants could have responsibilities involving domestic work, personal service, or the household of a master or mistress.
The term is also used when women describe themselves in relation to another person’s authority. In some passages, maidservants appear alongside servants, menservants, children, or other members of a household.
Key References
- Genesis 12:16 — Pharaoh gives maidservants among the possessions given to Abram.
- Genesis 30:9 — Leah gives her maidservant Zilpah to Jacob.
- Exodus 20:10 — Maidservants are included among those who are to rest on the sabbath.
- Deuteronomy 5:14 — Maidservants are again included in the sabbath commandment.
- Ruth 2:13 — Ruth speaks of herself in relation to Boaz’s maidservants.
- 1 Samuel 25:24 — Abigail refers to herself as David’s handmaid.
- Psalm 86:16 — The psalmist refers to himself as the servant of the LORD’s handmaid.
- Luke 12:45 — Maidservants are mentioned among household servants.
Related Terms
- Handmaid
- Servant
- Maid
- Household
- Bondwoman