What is the symbolic meaning of servant in the Bible?

Answer 1

Another Answer:

A "servant" is a "paid worker." He works for a "reward"... and "a reward is earned."

The Bible refers to Judgment Day, the Last Great Day of God's plan of salvation for mankind, as the time when "everyone will receive his reward [his payment] for the WORKS he's done in this life."

"See, I AM coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to repay all according to their deeds." (Rev.22:12 NLT)

A servant HELPS the master in varying types of services. And the bottom line of the laws of God, the Ten Commandments, is to learn to obey them and learn TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER -- First, God; then, your neighbor [which Jonny Hart of "BC" syndicated comics fame describes as: 'anyone who isn't you'].

The "symbolism" of "servant" in the Bible: caring about, helping and serving others [learning to love others as much as you love yourself]; is the one big lesson that mankind needs to learn in order to be given Eternal Life by his Creator... because that's a hellishly long time to live if the innumerable Family of God's Immortal Children "CAN'T GET ALONG WITH ONE ANOTHER."

For example: take this present tormented, hellish, dying world we live in where whole nations and peoples hate other nations and people... because they all give in to the naturally human carnal minded attitude of "self-servitude" instead of "serving others."

The Bible reveals that "everyone is a servant" in one capacity or other to someone else. Learning to SERVE ONE ANOTHER is the big mysterious lesson of this life that keeps eluding selfish mankind, thanks to the god he chose to worship and obey in the beginning, who opened man's mind and heart to the gratuitous pleasures available through the sating of one's five physical senses.

Although God is the Master of mankind... and all of mankind is to serve Him -- the Bible tells us:

"...You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you [God's servants... His elect... God's church] it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you MUST BE YOUR SERVANT, for even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but TO SERVE OTHERS, and to give My Life as a ransom for many." (Matt.20:25-28 NLT New Living Translation)

"Be dressed FOR SERVICE and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your Master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let Him in the moment He arrives and knocks. There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for His return.

"I tell you, He Himself will seat them, put on an apron, and SERVE THEM AS THEY SIT AND EAT!

"...Peter asked, 'Lord, is this illustration just for us or for everyone?' And the Lord replied, 'I'M TALKING TO ANY FAITHFUL, SENSIBLE SERVANT to whom the Master gives the responsibility of managing His Household and Feeding His Family. If the Master returns and finds that the SERVANT has done a good job, THERE WILL BE A REWARD. I assure you, the Master will put that SERVANT in charge of all He owns [hint: the Master owns the UNIVERSE!] (Luke 12:35-44 NLT)

The "symbolic meaning of servant in the Bible" is that "anyone among the generations of mankind who would be born into God's future Immortal Family MUST LEARN TO SELFLESSLY BE THE SERVANT OF EVERY ONE OF HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS."

"...the servant is not even thanked, because HE IS MERELY DOING WHAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO DO. In the same way, when you Obey Me you should say, 'We are not worthy of praise. We are servants who have simply done our duty.'" (Luke 17:9-10 NLT)

"God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well... If your gift is that of serving others, SERVE THEM WELL... Don't just PRETEND that you Love others. REALLY LOVE THEM. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of Good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other..." (Rom.12:6-10 NLT).

"We SERVE God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors." (II Cor.6:8 NLT)

"...you have been called to Live in Freedom - not freedom to satisfy your sinful [selfish] nature, but Freedom TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE." (Gal.5:13 NLT)

"Slaves, obey your masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Work hard, but not to please your masters when they are watching. As SLAVES OF CHRIST, do the will of God WITH ALL YOUR HEART. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether as slaves or free." (Eph.6:5-8 NLT)

"Care for the Flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to SERVE God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. And when the Head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in His Glory and Honor... all of you, SERVE EACH OTHER IN HUMILITY, for God sets Himself against the proud, but He shows favor to the humble. (I Peter 5:2-5 NLT)

The Bible reveals that we're all "servants" [slaves] to someone or some thing. And God demands that His Servants SERVE HIM, FIRST... by serving others... humbly, willingly and eagerly. It's the most important and most difficult lesson in Life we can learn through Christ.

Answer 2

When the Bible was being translated into English, serfdom had largely replaced slavery, since it had become the rule that Christians should not be slaves, and serfs were in any case easier to manage. So, when translating the original word for slaves, the word servant was used instead. The tenth commandment requires believers not to covet another person's male or female slaves (manservants or maidservants).