### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼâmâh**, represented by `{{H519}}`, refers to a **maidservant or female slave**. It appears 55 times across 49 unique verses in the Bible. This term denotes a woman in a state of servitude, defining her social, legal, and economic position within a household or royal court.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H519}}` is used in several key contexts. It is found in legal codes, such as the Ten Commandments, where a **maidservant** is listed among a neighbor's possessions that one must not covet [[Exodus 20:17]]. The law also provided protections, stipulating that a master must set his **maid** free if he permanently injures her [[Exodus 21:26]]. The term is central to the story of Hagar, whom Sarah calls a **bondwoman** and demands be cast out to prevent her son from sharing an inheritance with Isaac [[Genesis 21:10]]. In communal life, the **maidservant** was included in religious celebrations, instructed to rejoice before the LORD with the rest of the household [[Deuteronomy 16:11]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words expand upon the concepts of servitude and social hierarchy:
* `{{H5650}}` **ʻebed** (servant): This is the male equivalent of `ʼâmâh` and is often used in parallel to describe the full complement of a household's servants [[Exodus 20:17]].
* `{{H8198}}` **shiphchâh** (handmaid): A similar term for a female slave. Abigail uses both words, referring to herself as a humble **handmaid** (`ʼâmâh`) while offering to become a servant (`shiphchâh`) to wash the feet of David's men [[1 Samuel 25:41]].
* `{{H113}}` **ʼâdôwn** (lord, master): This word identifies the authority figure to whom the `ʼâmâh` is subordinate. It is used repeatedly by Abigail when she addresses David as "my **lord**" [[1 Samuel 25:28]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (son): This word is significant in the phrase "the **son** of thine handmaid," which signifies a person born into a state of service and utter dependence on a master, whether human or divine [[Psalms 116:16]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H519}}` is significant, particularly in how it frames a person's relationship with God.
* **Posture of Humility:** Women in positions of vulnerability or petition use the term "thine **handmaid**" to express deference and submission. Hannah in her prayer for a son [[1 Samuel 1:11]], Ruth in her plea to Boaz [[Ruth 3:9]], and Abigail in her appeal to David [[1 Samuel 25:28]] all adopt this posture.
* **Born into Divine Service:** The psalmist's self-identification as "the son of thine **handmaid**" expresses a profound sense of lifelong, inherited devotion to God ([[Psalms 86:16]], [[Psalms 116:16]]). It signifies a deep-seated identity of belonging to the LORD's household from birth.
* **God's Care for the Vulnerable:** The inclusion of the **maidservant** in laws and divine discourse shows God's concern for the lowly. God instructs Abraham regarding his **bondwoman**, Hagar [[Genesis 21:12]], and the law ensures a **maidservant** is not treated as having no value ([[Exodus 21:26]], [[Exodus 21:32]]).
### Summary
In summary, `{{H519}}` is more than a simple social label. It encapsulates a complex legal and social status within ancient Israel while also serving as a powerful expression of humility and dependence in relationship to God. The use of **ʼâmâh** illustrates how a term of servitude can be transformed into a declaration of pious devotion, reflecting a heart surrendered to a divine **master** `{{H113}}`.
TRV