עֲבַד (a.vad)
a.vad
servant/slave
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun a.vad denotes a servant or slave, functioning as the equivalent of the Hebrew e.ved found throughout the rest of the Old Testament. It appears only six times in Scripture, concentrated primarily within the books of Daniel and Ezra where imperial court life is described.
This term captures the status of someone bound to serve another, often in a context of forced labor or official duty. In Daniel, it describes those serving in the Babylonian and Persian administrations, highlighting the power dynamics between rulers and their subordinates. The word carries no inherent moral judgment but simply states the social reality of servitude.
Its limited usage reflects the specific historical setting of these texts, which record Jewish experiences under foreign rule. Translators consistently render it as "servant" or "slave," preserving the distinction between free citizens and those in bondage. This lexical choice helps readers understand the precise relationship between characters in these ancient narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word עֲבַד (avad) identifies a person in a position of service or bondage. In the Old Testament, it describes those bound to serve another, often highlighting the power dynamics between rulers and their subordinates. This term appears primarily in Daniel and Ezra, capturing the social reality of servitude under foreign rule without inherent moral judgment.
For your faith, this word reminds us that our identity is not defined by earthly status but by whom we serve. While ancient servants faced harsh conditions, the biblical narrative shows that loyalty to God transcends human authority. You are invited to consider whose service defines your life today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ servants/ his1×
- to/ servant/ your1×
- servants/ his1×
- servant/ your1×
- [are] servants/ his1×
- <obj.>/ servants/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַבְדוֹ/הִי֩1×
- עַבְדָ֛/ךְ1×
- עַבְד֛וֹ/הִי1×
- לְ/עַבְדָ֖/ךְ1×
- לְ/עַבְד֖וֹ/הִי1×
- לְ/עַבְד֔וֹ/הִי1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God.
This verse highlights how trusting in God leads to deliverance, showing that servants who remain faithful can withstand even the most severe trials.
-
Ezra 5:11
Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.
Here, the builders identify themselves as servants of the God of heaven, asserting their spiritual allegiance despite their political subjugation.
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Daniel 3:26
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the middle of the fire.
Nebuchadnezzar addresses Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as servants of the Most High God, acknowledging their divine protection in the fire.