◄ 1401. doulos ►
Lexicon doulos: Servant, Slave, Bondservant Original Word: δοῦλος Part of Speech: Adjective; Noun, Feminine; Noun, Masculine Transliteration: doulos Pronunciation: DOO-los Phonetic Spelling: (doo'-los) Definition: Servant, Slave, Bondservant Meaning: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bondman, servant, slave From deo; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency) -- bond(-man), servant. see GREEK deo HELPS Word-studies 1401 doúlos (a masculine noun of uncertain derivation) – properly, someone who belongs to another; a bond-slave, without any ownership rights of their own. Ironically, 1401 /doúlos ("bond-slave") is used with the highest dignity in the NT – namely, of believers who willingly live under Christ's authority as His devoted followers. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a slave NASB Translation bond-servant (11), bond-servants (12), bondslave (3), bondslaves (8), both men and women (8), servants (1), slave (58), slave's (1), slaves (39). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1401: δοῦλος δοῦλος, δούλη, δοῦλον (derived by most from δέω, to tie, bind; by some from ΔΑΛΩ, to ensnare, capture ((?) others besides; cf. Vanicek, p. 322)); serving, subject to: παρεστήσατε τά μέλη ὑμῶν δοῦλα τῇ ἀκαθαρσία, Romans 6:19. Then substantively, ἡ δούλη, a female slave, bondmaid, handmaid: τοῦ Θεοῦ, τοῦ κυρίου, one who worships God and submits to him, Acts 2:18 (from Joel 2:29 ()); Luke 1:38, 48. ὁ δοῦλος, the Sept. for עֶבֶד; 1. a slave, bondman, man of servile condition; a. properly: opposed to ἐλεύθερος, 1 Corinthians 7:21; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:11; Revelation 6:15; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:18; opposed to κύριος, δεσπότης, οἰκοδεσπότης, Matthew 10:24; Matthew 13:27; Luke 12:46; John 15:15 Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; Colossians 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:9, and very often. b. metaphorically, α. one who gives himself up wholly to another's will, 1 Corinthians 7:23; or dominion, τῆς ἁμαρτίας, John 8:34; Romans 6:17, 20; τῆς φθορᾶς, 2 Peter 2:19, (τῶν ἡδονῶν, Athen. 12, p. 531 c.; τῶν χρημάτων, Plutarch, Pelop c. 3; τοῦ πίνειν, Aelian v. h. 2, 41). β. the δοῦλοι Χριστοῦ, τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, are those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men: used of apostles, Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10; Philippians 1:1; 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; of other preachers and teachers of the gospel, Colossians 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:24; Jude 1:1; of the true worshippers of Christ (who is κύριος πάντων, Acts 10:36), Ephesians 6:6. The δοῦλοι τοῦ Θεοῦ, יְהוָה עַבְדֵי, are those whose agency God employs in executing his purposes: used of apostles, Acts 4:29; Acts 16:17; of Moses (Joshua 1:1), Revelation 15:3; of prophets (Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 25:4), Revelation 1:1; Revelation 10:7; Revelation 11:18; of all who obey God's commands, his true worshippers, Luke 2:29; Revelation 2:20; Revelation 7:3; Revelation 19:2, 5; Revelation 22:3, 6; (Psalm 33:23 (); Psalm 68:37 (); Psalm 88:4, 21 ()). γ. δοῦλος τίνος, devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests: Matthew 20:27; Mark 10:44; strenuously laboring for another's salvation, 2 Corinthians 4:5. 2. a servant, attendant, (of a king): Matthew 18:23, 26ff. (Synonym: see διάκονος.) Topical Lexicon Word Origin: Derived from the root verb δέω (deo), meaning "to bind." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • עֶבֶד (ebed) • Strong's Hebrew 5650: A servant, slave, or bondman. This term is used in the Old Testament to describe individuals in servitude, whether in a literal or figurative sense, similar to the Greek δοῦλος. Usage: The term δοῦλος is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who are in a position of servitude, either literally as slaves or metaphorically as devoted followers of Christ. It emphasizes complete devotion and submission to the authority of another. Context: The term δοῦλος appears frequently in the New Testament, reflecting the socio-economic realities of the ancient world where slavery was a common institution. In a literal sense, δοῦλος refers to a person who is legally owned by someone else and whose entire livelihood and purpose are dictated by their master. This term is used in various parables and teachings of Jesus to illustrate spiritual truths about obedience, humility, and service. In a metaphorical sense, the apostles often refer to themselves as δοῦλοι of Christ, indicating their total commitment and submission to His will. For example, Paul frequently introduces himself as a "servant of Christ Jesus" (Romans 1:1, BSB), highlighting his role as one who is bound to serve Christ with complete loyalty and dedication. This usage underscores the Christian calling to live a life of service, not out of compulsion, but out of love and devotion to God. The concept of being a δοῦλος to Christ is further expanded in the New Testament to describe the believer's relationship with God. It conveys the idea of being set free from the bondage of sin to become a willing servant of righteousness (Romans 6:18, BSB). This transformation is seen as a mark of true discipleship, where believers are called to serve one another in love, following the example of Christ who "did not come to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28, BSB). The use of δοῦλος in the New Testament challenges cultural norms by elevating the status of servitude to a position of honor in the Kingdom of God. It redefines greatness as being found in humble service and submission to God's will, reflecting the upside-down values of the Gospel. Forms and Transliterations δουλα δοῦλα Δουλε δουλέ δούλε Δοῦλε δουλοι δούλοι δούλοί δοῦλοι δοῦλοί δουλοις δουλοίς δούλοις δουλον δουλόν δούλον δούλόν δοῦλον δοῦλόν δουλος δουλός δούλος δούλός δοῦλος δοῦλός δουλου δούλου δουλους δουλούς δούλους δουλω δούλω δούλῳ δουλων δούλων doula doûla Doule Doûle doulo doulō douloi doúloi doúlōi doûloi doûloí doulois doúlois doulon doulōn doúlon doúlōn doûlon doûlón doulos doûlos doûlós doulou doúlou doulous doúlous Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Matthew 8:9 N-DMS GRK: καὶ τῷ δούλῳ μου Ποίησον NAS: and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do KJV: and to my servant, Do this, INT: and to servant of me Do Matthew 10:24 N-NMS GRK: διδάσκαλον οὐδὲ δοῦλος ὑπὲρ τὸν NAS: nor a slave above KJV: nor the servant above INT: teacher nor a servant above the Matthew 10:25 N-NMS GRK: καὶ ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ NAS: his teacher, and the slave like KJV: master, and the servant as his INT: and the servant as the Matthew 13:27 N-NMP GRK: δὲ οἱ δοῦλοι τοῦ οἰκοδεσπότου NAS: The slaves of the landowner came KJV: So the servants of the householder INT: moreover the servants of the master of the house Matthew 13:28 Noun-NMP GRK: οἱ δὲ δοῦλοι αὐτῷ λέγουσιν INT: and [the] servants to him said Matthew 18:23 N-GMP GRK: μετὰ τῶν δούλων αὐτοῦ NAS: to settle accounts with his slaves. KJV: of his servants. INT: with the servants of him Matthew 18:26 N-NMS GRK: οὖν ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει αὐτῷ NAS: So the slave fell KJV: The servant therefore fell down, INT: therefore the servant fell on his knees to him Matthew 18:27 N-GMS GRK: κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἀπέλυσεν NAS: And the lord of that slave felt compassion KJV: of that servant was moved with compassion, INT: master the servant of that released Matthew 18:28 N-NMS GRK: δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος εὗρεν NAS: But that slave went out and found KJV: the same servant went out, INT: moreover the servant same found Matthew 18:32 N-VMS GRK: λέγει αὐτῷ Δοῦλε πονηρέ πᾶσαν NAS: to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave KJV: O thou wicked servant, I forgave INT: says to him servant evil all Matthew 20:27 N-NMS GRK: ἔσται ὑμῶν δοῦλος NAS: among you shall be your slave; KJV: let him be your servant: INT: let him be your slave Matthew 21:34 N-AMP GRK: ἀπέστειλεν τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ πρὸς NAS: he sent his slaves to the vine-growers KJV: his servants to INT: he sent the servants of him to Matthew 21:35 N-AMP GRK: γεωργοὶ τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ὃν NAS: took his slaves and beat KJV: took his servants, and beat one, INT: tenants the servants of him one Matthew 21:36 N-AMP GRK: ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους πλείονας τῶν NAS: another group of slaves larger KJV: other servants more INT: he sent other servants more than the Matthew 22:3 N-AMP GRK: ἀπέστειλεν τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ καλέσαι NAS: And he sent out his slaves to call KJV: his servants to call INT: sent those servants of him to call Matthew 22:4 N-AMP GRK: ἀπέστειλεν ἄλλους δούλους λέγων Εἴπατε NAS: out other slaves saying, 'Tell KJV: other servants, saying, INT: he sent other servants saying Say Matthew 22:6 N-AMP GRK: κρατήσαντες τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ὕβρισαν NAS: seized his slaves and mistreated KJV: his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, INT: having laid hold of the servants of him mistreated Matthew 22:8 N-DMP GRK: λέγει τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ Ὁ NAS: he said to his slaves, 'The wedding KJV: saith he to his servants, The wedding INT: he says to servants of him Matthew 22:10 N-NMP GRK: ἐξελθόντες οἱ δοῦλοι ἐκεῖνοι εἰς NAS: Those slaves went KJV: So those servants went out into INT: having gone out the servants those into Matthew 24:45 N-NMS GRK: ὁ πιστὸς δοῦλος καὶ φρόνιμος NAS: and sensible slave whom KJV: and wise servant, whom his INT: the faithful servant and wise Matthew 24:46 N-NMS GRK: μακάριος ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ὃν NAS: Blessed is that slave whom his master KJV: Blessed [is] that servant, whom his INT: Blessed [is] the servant that whom Matthew 24:48 N-NMS GRK: ὁ κακὸς δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ἐν NAS: that evil slave says KJV: that evil servant shall say in INT: the evil servant that in Matthew 24:50 N-GMS GRK: κύριος τοῦ δούλου ἐκείνου ἐν NAS: the master of that slave will come KJV: The lord of that servant shall come in INT: master the servant of that in Matthew 25:14 N-AMP GRK: τοὺς ἰδίους δούλους καὶ παρέδωκεν NAS: his own slaves and entrusted KJV: his own servants, and INT: the own servants and delivered Matthew 25:19 N-GMP GRK: κύριος τῶν δούλων ἐκείνων καὶ NAS: of those slaves came KJV: the lord of those servants cometh, and INT: master of the servants of those and Strong's Greek 1401 126 Occurrences δοῦλα — 2 Occ. Δοῦλε — 6 Occ. δούλῳ — 6 Occ. δούλων — 5 Occ. δοῦλοι — 22 Occ. δούλοις — 7 Occ. δοῦλον — 18 Occ. δοῦλος — 35 Occ. δούλου — 6 Occ. δούλους — 19 Occ.