### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **sâkîyr**, represented by `{{H7916}}`, refers to a man who works for wages, typically by the day or year, and is translated as a **hired** man, servant, or **hireling**. It appears 17 times in 17 unique verses, highlighting its role in contexts of labor, law, and metaphorical speech. The term defines a specific socio-economic status distinct from that of a bond-servant or a family member.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical law and prophecy, `{{H7916}}` carries significant weight. Scripture repeatedly warns against the exploitation of the **hired servant**, with God positioning Himself as a "swift witness" against those who "oppress the **hireling** in his wages" [[Malachi 3:5]]. This principle of justice is enshrined in the law, which forbids oppressing a poor **hired servant** [[Deuteronomy 24:14]] or withholding his wages overnight [[Leviticus 19:13]]. The term is also used metaphorically to describe a fixed and difficult period. Job compares the hardship of human existence to the "days of an **hireling**" [[Job 7:1]], while Isaiah uses the phrase "as the years of an **hireling**" to establish a precise timeline for God's judgment [[Isaiah 16:14]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the status and context of the **hireling**:
* `{{H7939}}` **sâkâr** (hire, price, reward, wages): This word represents the payment or compensation due to a **sâkîyr**. The connection is explicit when God condemns those who oppress the **hireling** `{{H7916}}` in his **wages** `{{H7939}}` [[Malachi 3:5]].
* `{{H6231}}` **ʻâshaq** (to oppress, defraud): This verb is frequently used to describe the unjust treatment forbidden against a **sâkîyr**. The law commands, "Thou shalt not **oppress** an hired servant" [[Deuteronomy 24:14]].
* `{{H8141}}` **shâneh** (a year): The labor of a **sâkîyr** was often measured in years. Prophecies use "the **years** of an hireling" to signify a set duration [[Isaiah 21:16]], and legal codes specify treatment "as a **yearly** hired servant" [[Leviticus 25:53]].
* `{{H5650}}` **ʻebed** (a servant, bondman): A **sâkîyr** is distinguished from an **ʻebed**. While both labor, the **hireling** works for a wage for a specified time, whereas the **ʻebed** is in a state of bondage. Job contrasts them, noting the **servant** desires the shadow while the **hireling** looks for his reward [[Job 7:2]].
### Theological Significance
The theological and ethical weight of `{{H7916}}` is significant, revealing key principles of biblical thought.
* **Justice for the Laborer:** God's law establishes a foundation of protection for workers. The commands to pay a **hireling** promptly and not to oppress him are framed as a core part of righteous living and fearing God ([[Leviticus 19:13]], [[Malachi 3:5]]).
* **Human Transience:** The life of a **hireling**—defined by hard work for a limited time—serves as a powerful metaphor for the human condition. Job uses this imagery to express the fleeting and wearying nature of his days on earth, looking forward to the end of his toil ([[Job 7:1]], [[Job 14:6]]).
* **Covenant Community Boundaries:** The status of a **sâkîyr** helps define who can participate in sacred rituals. A **hired servant**, like a foreigner, was excluded from eating the Passover meal [[Exodus 12:45]] or holy things [[Leviticus 22:10]], distinguishing temporary workers from the household of faith.
* **The Value of Service:** The worth of labor is explicitly recognized. A Hebrew servant who serves six years is considered to have the value of a "double **hired servant**," warranting his freedom and blessing from God [[Deuteronomy 15:18]].
### Summary
In summary, **sâkîyr** `{{H7916}}` is far more than a simple term for a worker. It is a cornerstone for biblical laws demanding economic justice, a poignant symbol for the transient and difficult nature of human life, and a marker of social and religious status within ancient Israel. The treatment of the **hireling** is presented as a measure of a person's righteousness and fear of the Lord, linking everyday labor directly to one's relationship with God.
TRV