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Bible Dictionaries
Master
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
or Throughout the countries of the region of the Bible story, many households were very large and included slaves and hired workers. The head of the household was commonly referred to as the master, and he exercised considerable authority (Genesis 14:14; Genesis 24:2; Genesis 24:9; 1 Samuel 25:14; 1 Samuel 25:17).
In recognition of the dangers that accompanied such authority, Israelite law laid down that a master did not have the right to treat his servants as he wished. He had to recognize their rights, and be fair and honest in all his dealings with them (Exodus 21:8-11; Exodus 21:20; Exodus 21:26-27; see SLAVE).
The New Testament further emphasizes the responsibility of masters towards their servants. Christian masters in particular are to be careful the way they treat their servants, because they themselves are answerable to a master, Jesus the Lord (Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1; see WORK).
All Christians are servants of this divine Master and must give him their total allegiance (Matthew 6:24; see JESUS CHRIST, sub-heading ‘Jesus as Lord’). One day their Master will assess their faithfulness in service and reward them accordingly (Matthew 25:14-30; Mark 13:33-37; Romans 14:4; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; see also STEWARD).
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Fleming, Don. Entry for 'Master'. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/bbd/m/master.html. 2004.
