παιδίσκη (paidiskē)
paidiskē
maidservant
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 12 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun paidiskē refers to a young female servant or maid, carrying the nuance of youth and lower social status. It is a diminutive form derived from pais, meaning child or servant, which adds a layer of vulnerability or smallness to the role. In the New Testament, this word appears twelve times, primarily in the Gospels and Acts, describing young women who serve in households.
These figures often occupy pivotal narrative moments despite their marginal status. For instance, a paidiskē identifies Peter three times during Jesus’ arrest in Mark 14:66-69, while another serves as the doorkeeper in Acts 12:13 when Peter arrives at Mary’s house. In Luke 12:45, it describes a servant who mistreats others, illustrating how the term applies to any young female slave regardless of moral character.
The word also carries theological weight in Galatians 4, where Paul uses Hagar metaphorically as a paidiskē to represent the old covenant of slavery. This usage highlights the contrast between bondage and freedom, showing how early Christians repurposed everyday terms to explain spiritual realities. The term consistently points to a person defined by service and youth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word paidiskē describes a young female servant, carrying both youth and social vulnerability. In the Gospels, these figures often appear in critical moments, such as the maid who recognized Peter during his arrest or Rhoda who answered Peter’s knock at Mary’s house. Their stories show that God notices those on the margins of society.
Paul uses this term metaphorically in Galatians to contrast slavery under the law with freedom in Christ. This reminds us that our identity is not defined by our status or service, but by grace. Even in ancient households, young servants played significant roles in unfolding God’s plan.
This word invites us to see the dignity in every person, regardless of their position. It encourages humility and compassion, reminding us that all are valued by God. We can find comfort in knowing that our service, however small it seems, is seen and cherished by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- slave woman4×
- servant girl3×
- a girl2×
- servant girls1×
- of [the] slave woman1×
- maid-servants1×
- a servant girl1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παιδίσκη5×
- παιδίσκης4×
- παιδίσκην2×
- παιδίσκας1×
- παιδισκῶν1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 14:69
The maid saw him and began again to tell those who stood by, “This is one of them.”
This maid’s repeated identification of Peter highlights how ordinary people become instruments in pivotal biblical narratives.
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Acts 12:13
When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
Rhoda’s joyous recognition of Peter demonstrates how even a young servant girl can bring news of divine deliverance.
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Galatians 4:30
However, what does the Scripture say? “Throw out the servant and her son, for the son of the servant will not inherit with the son of the free woman.”
Paul repurposes the term to illustrate the contrast between bondage under the law and freedom in Christ’s promise.