Bible Encyclopedias
Maid; Maiden

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Maiannas

Next Entry
Mail

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

Additional Links

Dictionaries
Holman Bible Dictionary
• Maid, Maiden
Vines' Expository Dictionary
• Maid, Maiden, Maidservant
Encyclopedias
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
• Maid; Maiden
Lexicons
• παιδίσκη
• παῖς
• בְּתולָּה
• נַעֲרָה
• עַלְמָה
•   (only first 3 shown)

mād , mād ´' n : Used in the King James Version in the sense of a girl or young female; of an unmarried woman or virgin, and of a female servant or handmaid. Thus, it translates several Hebrew words: (1) The more generic word is נערה , na‛ărāh , "girl," feminine form of the common נער , na‛ar , "boy" ( 1 Samuel 9:11; 2 Kings 5:2 , 2 Kings 5:4; Esther 2:4 , Esther 2:7 ff; Job 41:5; Amos 2:7 ) In several places masculine form נער , na‛ar , with feminine form of verb rendered "damsel" (Genesis 24:14 , Genesis 24:16 , Genesis 24:28 , Genesis 24:55; Genesis 34:3 , Genesis 34:12; Deuteronomy 22:15 ); compare ἡ πσῖς , hē paı́s (Luke 8:51 , Luke 8:54 ); see also παιδίσκη , paidı́skē , diminutive (Sirach 41:22; Mark 14:66 , Mark 14:69; Luke 12:45; κοράσιον , korásion , Septuagint for nă‛arāh , "maid," in Matthew 9:24 f with Job 6:12 f; Susanna verses 15, 19). (2) The Hebrew עלמה , ‛almāh , also rendered "maid," refers to a woman of marriageable age (Exodus 2:8; Proverbs 30:19 ), whether married or not, whether a virgin or not. The same word is translated "virgin" in several places (Genesis 24:43 the King James Version; Song of Solomon 1:3; Song of Solomon 6:8; Isaiah 7:14 ). (3) The word בּתוּלה , bethūlāh , a common Hebrew word for "virgin," a chaste woman Septuagint παρθένος , parthénos ), is frequently rendered "maid" and "maiden" (Exodus 22:16; Judges 19:24; 2 Chronicles 36:17; Psalm 78:63; Psalm 148:12; Jeremiah 51:22; Lamentations 5:11; Ezekiel 9:6; Ezekiel 44:22; Zechariah 9:17; compare Deuteronomy 22:14 , Deuteronomy 22:17 , having "the marks (tokens) of virginity"); בּתוּלים , bethūlı̄m , rendered "maid." See VIRGIN . (4) Two Hebrew words covering the idea of service, handmaid, handmaiden, and in numerous passages so rendered: (a ) אמה , 'āmāh , translated "maid" (Genesis 30:3; Exodus 2:5; Exodus 21:20 , Exodus 21:26; Leviticus 25:6; Ezra 2:65; Job 19:15; Nahum 2:7 ); (b ) שׁפחה , shiphḥāh , "a family servant," "a handmaid," so rendered in numerous passages ("maid," "maiden," Genesis 16:2 ff; Genesis 29:24 , Genesis 29:29; Genesis 30:7 , Genesis 30:9 , Genesis 30:10 , Genesis 30:12 , Genesis 30:18; Isaiah 24:2; Psalm 123:2; Ecclesiastes 2:7 ). In the King James Version they are variously translated "maid," "handmaid," etc. (5) The rather rare word ἄβρα , hábra , "favorite slave," is rendered "maid" in Judith 10:2, 5; 13:9; 16:23; Additions to Esther 15:2, 7. (6) δούλη , doúlē , "female slave," in the King James Version Judith 12:49 (the Revised Version (British and American) "servant").

Maidservant means simply a female slave in the different positions which such a woman naturally occupies. They were the property of their masters; sometimes held the position of concubines ( Genesis 31:33 ); daughters might be sold by their fathers into this condition (Exodus 21:7 ). It is regrettable that no uniform translation was adopted in the King James Version. And in the Revised Version (British and American) compare Tobit 3:7; Judith 10:10; Sirach 41:22.

"Maidservants" replaces "maidens" of the King James Version in Luke 12:45 . Compare Job 31:13 .