Servant
עֶבֶד (ebed)
One who serves — a bond-servant devoted to a master's will and purposes.
Ebed is the Hebrew word for servant or slave, describing one devoted to serving another. God's greatest leaders — Abraham, Moses, David — bore this title. Jesus came as the ultimate Servant, and believers are called to follow His example.
"He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many." — Isaiah 53:11 (KJV)
Key Verses
Isaiah 53:11
“He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many.”Read in context
Mark 10:45
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”Read in context
Philippians 2:7
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H5650 — Servant (עֶבֶד (ebed))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where עֶבֶד (ebed) appears.
Open Strong's H5650Etymology and Original Meaning
Ebed comes from the verb avad, meaning 'to work' or 'to serve.' It covers a range from slave to royal official. The Greek equivalent doulos means 'bond-servant' — one whose will is entirely submitted to a master. In ancient Israel, the highest honor was to be called 'the servant of the LORD' — it meant complete devotion to God's purposes.
God's Servants in the Old Testament
The title 'servant of the LORD' was given to the greatest figures: Abraham (Genesis 26:24), Moses (Numbers 12:7), David (2 Samuel 7:5), and the prophets collectively (2 Kings 17:13). It was not demeaning but dignifying — these servants had the ear and authority of the King. Isaiah's Servant Songs (Isaiah 42, 49, 50, 53) depict a mysterious figure who serves through suffering.
Jesus, the Suffering Servant
Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's Servant Songs perfectly. He 'took upon him the form of a servant' (Philippians 2:7), washed His disciples' feet (John 13), and 'gave his life a ransom for many' (Mark 10:45). His servanthood was not weakness but the highest expression of divine love — God Himself serving humanity at the cost of His own blood.
Called to Serve
Jesus redefined greatness: 'Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister' (Matthew 20:26). Paul called himself a 'servant of Jesus Christ' (Romans 1:1). Believers are freed from sin's slavery not to become autonomous but to become servants of God and one another (Galatians 5:13). True freedom is found in serving the right master.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does servant mean in the Bible?
Servant (ebed) means one devoted to serving another's will. In Scripture, it is a title of honor — God's greatest leaders were called His servants. Jesus is the ultimate Servant who gave His life for many.
Is being a servant demeaning?
Not in biblical terms. Being called 'servant of the LORD' was the highest honor. Jesus modeled servanthood as the path to greatness (Mark 10:43-45). Serving God and others is the essence of Christlike character.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Servant"?
Isaiah 53:11 — "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many" (KJV). It also appears in Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:7.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Servant" matter?
Ebed comes from the verb avad, meaning 'to work' or 'to serve.' It covers a range from slave to royal official. English uses one word, "Servant", where the Hebrew עֶבֶד (ebed) carries the fuller sense: one who serves — a bond-servant devoted to a master's will and purposes.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Servant (עֶבֶד (ebed))
One who serves — a bond-servant devoted to a master's will and purposes.
Strong's H5650 — Servant
עֶבֶד (ebed) • One who serves — a bond-servant devoted to a master's will and purposes.
Servant (Doulos) (δοῦλος (doulos))
A bondservant — one wholly devoted to and owned by a master, serving with complete loyalty.
Strong's G1401 — Servant (Doulos)
δοῦλος (doulos) • A bondservant — one wholly devoted to and owned by a master, serving with complete loyalty.
Isaiah 53:3-4 — Meaning & Devotional
The Suffering Servant
Isaiah 53:4 — Meaning & Devotional
Suffering Servant
Where to go next
Studied the meaning of Servant? Continue with these word-study and Scripture pages.
- Bible word meanings A–ZHebrew and Greek words explained in plain English.Continue
- Go deeper with word studiesStrong's numbers, usage and every KJV occurrence.Continue
- Bible questions answered from ScriptureStraight KJV answers to common questions.Continue
- Read the KJV Bible online freeFull text, chapter by chapter.Continue