Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the term "masters" often refers to individuals who hold authority or ownership over others, particularly in the context of servitude or employment. The concept of masters is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments, providing guidance on the responsibilities and conduct expected of those in positions of authority.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the relationship between masters and servants is primarily seen within the framework of household management and servitude. The Hebrew term often translated as "master" is "adon," which denotes lordship or ownership. Masters were expected to treat their servants with fairness and justice, as seen in the Mosaic Law. For example, Exodus 21:2-6 outlines the treatment of Hebrew servants, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment and the provision of freedom after a set period. The account of Joseph in Genesis 39 provides an example of a servant-master relationship. Joseph, sold into slavery, serves Potiphar, an Egyptian official. Despite his status as a servant, Joseph is entrusted with significant responsibilities, illustrating the potential for mutual respect and trust between masters and servants. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the Greek term "kyrios" is often used for "master," signifying authority and lordship. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles provide a framework for understanding the ethical and spiritual dimensions of the master-servant relationship. Jesus Himself addresses the concept of masters in His teachings. In Matthew 6:24 , He states, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." This passage highlights the importance of singular devotion and the inherent conflict in divided loyalties. The Apostle Paul provides specific instructions to both masters and servants in his epistles. In Ephesians 6:5-9 , Paul writes, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ... And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him." Here, Paul emphasizes mutual respect and the recognition of a higher divine authority that governs both masters and servants. Similarly, in Colossians 4:1 , Paul instructs, "Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." This reinforces the principle of justice and fairness, reminding masters of their accountability to God. Spiritual Implications The biblical portrayal of masters extends beyond the literal to the spiritual, where God is often depicted as the ultimate Master. Believers are called to serve God with the same devotion and obedience expected in earthly master-servant relationships. This spiritual dimension is evident in passages like Romans 6:22 , which speaks of believers being set free from sin and becoming "slaves to God," highlighting the transformative nature of divine servitude. In summary, the biblical concept of masters encompasses both practical and spiritual dimensions, emphasizing justice, fairness, and mutual respect within human relationships, while ultimately pointing to the sovereignty and lordship of God over all creation. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASSEMBLIES, MASTERS OFa-sem'-bliz, (ba`ale 'acuppoth, Ecclesiastes 12:11): the American Revised Version, margin "collectors of sentences," thus Qimchi, Grotius and others. This has been variously interpreted. Tyler translates "editors of collections." Klienert renders "protectors of the treasure-chambers," 'acuppoth being considered equivalent to the 'acuppim of 1 Chronicles 26:15, 17 Nehemiah 12:25 (see ASUPPIM). The proverbs are like nails guarding the sacred storehouse, the book closing with this warning against touching the collection (compare Revelation 22:18, 19). Delitzsch translates "like fastened nails which are put together in collections." "As ba`ale berith (Genesis 14:13) signifies `the confederates,' ba`ale shebhu`ah (Nehemiah 6:18) `the sworn,' and the frequently occurring ba`ale ha-`ir `the citizens': so ba`ale 'acuppoth means, the possessors of assemblies and of the assembled themselves, or the possessors of collections and of things collected. Thus ba`ale 'acuppoth will be a designation of the `words of the wise' (as in shalishim, "choice men" = choice proverbs, Proverbs 22:20, in a certain measure personified), as of those which form or constitute collections and which stand together in order and rank" ("Eccl," English translation, 434). Greek 2962. kurios -- lord, master ... Definition lord, master NASB Word Usage lord (10), Lord (626), Lord of lords (2), Lord's (12), lords (1), master (38), master's (3), masters (8), masters' (1 ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2962.htm - 7k 1203. despotes -- lord, master Strong's Hebrew 113. adon -- lord... from an unused word Definition lord NASB Word Usage husbands (1), Lord (5), lord (172), lord's (9), lords (2), master (91), master's (24), masters (5), owner (1 ... /hebrew/113.htm - 6k 117. addir -- majestic 7218. rosh -- head 1167. baal -- owner, lord 1184. Baale Yehudah -- "Baal of Judah," the center of Baal worship ... Library The Best of Masters A Choice of Masters How Servants and Masters are to be Admonished. Thus Far the Masters of Morality and Human Discipline May Go... Servants Become Masters. October the Twenty-Third Masters and Servants No Man Can Serve Two Masters; and that Because it is Necessary ... The Two Masters, Self and Truth Duties of Masters and Servants. Moreover, that Masters Should be the More Gentle. Thesaurus Masters (59 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ASSEMBLIES, MASTERS OF. a-sem ... 102). SF Hunter. Multi-Version Concordance Masters (59 Occurrences). Matthew ... /m/masters.htm - 26k Task-masters (6 Occurrences) Service-masters (1 Occurrence) Bondmen (117 Occurrences) Nail (9 Occurrences) Despise (64 Occurrences) Mammon (4 Occurrences) Bondservants (39 Occurrences) Obedient (39 Occurrences) Slaves (119 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean that you cannot serve two masters in Matthew 6:24? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are spirit guides? Should Christians consult spirit guides? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about government? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Masters (59 Occurrences)Matthew 6:24 Matthew 12:29 Matthew 15:27 Matthew 23:10 Luke 16:13 Luke 19:33 Luke 22:25 Acts 16:16 Acts 16:19 Acts 27:16 Ephesians 6:5 Ephesians 6:9 Colossians 3:22 Colossians 4:1 1 Timothy 6:1 1 Timothy 6:2 Titus 2:9 Titus 2:10 James 3:1 1 Peter 2:18 Genesis 1:28 Genesis 19:2 Exodus 1:11 Exodus 3:7 Leviticus 25:46 Judges 9:2 Judges 9:3 Judges 9:6 Judges 9:7 Judges 9:18 Judges 9:20 Judges 9:23 Judges 9:24 Judges 9:25 Judges 9:26 Judges 9:39 Judges 9:46 Judges 9:47 Judges 9:51 Judges 20:5 1 Samuel 25:10 2 Kings 18:24 2 Chronicles 18:16 Nehemiah 3:5 Psalms 123:2 Proverbs 25:13 Ecclesiastes 12:11 Isaiah 14:2 Isaiah 19:20 Isaiah 26:13 Isaiah 51:23 Jeremiah 25:34 Jeremiah 25:35 Jeremiah 25:36 Jeremiah 27:4 Lamentations 1:5 Ezekiel 45:8 Amos 4:1 Zephaniah 1:9 Subtopics Masters: Authority of, Established Masters: Duty of, Toward Servants: Not to Defraud Them Masters: Duty of, Toward Servants: Not to Keep Back Their Wages Masters: Duty of, Toward Servants: Not to Rule Over Them With Rigour Masters: Duty of, Toward Servants: To Act Justly Masters: Duty of, Toward Servants: To Deal With Them in the Fear of God Masters: Duty of, Toward Servants: To Esteem Them Highly, If Saints Masters: Duty of, Toward Servants: To Forbear Threatening Them Masters: Duty of, Toward Servants: To Take Care of Them in Sickness Masters: should Receive Faithful Advice from Servants Masters: should Select Faithful Servants Masters: Should, With Their Households: Fear God Masters: Should, With Their Households: Observe the Sabbath Masters: Should, With Their Households: Put Away Idols Masters: Should, With Their Households: Serve God Masters: Should, With Their Households: Worship God Related Terms Mephib'osheth (13 Occurrences) War-carriages (76 Occurrences) |
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