"female slave, bondmaid, Lk. 1:38, 48; Acts 2:18*"
Definition and meaning
female slave, bondmaid, Lk. 1:38, 48; Acts 2:18*
In the original Greek the word is written: δούλη
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of doule (G1399) across the King James Bible.
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
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Common questions
Strong's G1399 (doule) is a Greek word that means: female slave, bondmaid, Lk. 1:38, 48; Acts 2:18* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word doule (G1399) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1399 is doule, a Greek word defined as: female slave, bondmaid, Lk. 1:38, 48; Acts 2:18*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
doule is a Greek word found in the New Testament.