עַבְדוּת (av.dut)
av.dut
slavery
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun avdut describes a state of servitude or bondage. In the Hebrew Bible, it refers to the condition of being enslaved, emphasizing the loss of freedom and subjection to another’s authority. The word appears only three times in Scripture, creating a concentrated focus on this heavy reality.
These occurrences are found exclusively in the post-exilic books of Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezra 9:8-9; Nehemiah 9:17). Here, the term is used by the community to reflect on their history. They acknowledge that despite God’s grace, they remain under the yoke of foreign kings and the shame of their condition. It serves as a stark reminder of their political and social vulnerability.
The word carries a weight of historical memory. By using avdut, the writers do not just describe physical chains but the ongoing burden of living under imperial rule. It highlights the tension between God’s covenant promises and the harsh experience of exile. The term stands as a testament to the people’s awareness of their diminished status before returning to full autonomy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word avdut describes the heavy reality of slavery or bondage. It appears only three times in Scripture, found exclusively in Ezra and Nehemiah. These passages record the prayers of Israelites returning from exile. They acknowledge that despite God’s grace, they still live under foreign rule. This word captures the tension between God’s promises and their current lack of freedom.
For your faith, this reminds us that God’s presence does not always remove immediate hardship. The people in Ezra 9:9 call themselves bondservants yet affirm that God has not forsaken them. Even in a state of political vulnerability, they recognize His loving kindness. This offers comfort when life feels restrictive or unjust.
You may face seasons where you feel limited by circumstances beyond your control. Avdut teaches that God sees your struggle and remains faithful. He does not ignore the weight of your burdens. Instead, He offers grace to sustain you through difficult times, reminding us that His covenant love endures even when freedom seems distant.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ servitude/ their1×
- in/ servitude/ our1×
- and/ in/ servitude/ our1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/עַבְדֻתָ֖/ם1×
- וּ/בְ/עַבְדֻ֔תֵ/נוּ1×
- בְּ/עַבְדֻתֵֽ/נוּ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 9:9
For we are bondservants; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended loving kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to set up the house of our God, and to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
This verse explicitly identifies the people as bondservants while simultaneously affirming that God has not forsaken them in their bondage, highlighting the coexistence of suffering and divine faithfulness.
-
Ezra 9:8
Now for a little moment grace has been shown from Yahweh our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a stake in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and revive us a little in our bondage.
Here the term describes the immediate context for God’s grace, showing that even a small remnant finds hope and revival while still under the yoke of foreign domination.
-
Nehemiah 9:17
and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.
This occurrence recalls Israel’s rebellion where they chose to return to bondage, serving as a stark contrast to God’s readiness to pardon and remain merciful despite their foolish choices.