Brief overview of δούλη (G1399: doúlē)

• δούλη (doúlē) [DOO-lay]
• Etymology: Derived from the Greek word δοῦλος (doulos), meaning “slave” or “servant,” specifically referring to a female slave or bondwoman.
• Part of Speech: Noun, feminine.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

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• Female Slave or Bondwoman: The primary meaning of δούλη (doúlē) is “a female slave” or “bondwoman.” It refers to a woman who is in servitude to another, typically under legal or social obligations.
• Servant: In a broader sense, it can also mean a “female servant,” emphasizing the role of serving or being in service, often within a household or in the context of societal structures.

Further Insights:

• Morphological Composition: The word δούλη (doúlē) is the feminine form of δοῦλος (doulos), indicating that it specifically refers to a female. The Greek language often has distinct forms for male and female nouns, and in this case, the suffix “-η” (-ē) is a typical feminine ending.
• Usage in Context: δούλη (doúlē) is used in contexts that emphasize a woman’s role as a servant or slave, whether in literal terms, such as in household settings, or metaphorically, as in spiritual or social subjection.

Lexicon Insights:

• BDAG: BDAG defines δούλη (doúlē) as a female slave or bondwoman, often used in contrast with the masculine δοῦλος (doulos). It highlights the word’s use in both domestic and broader societal contexts, where women are depicted in roles of service and subordination.
• Thayer’s Lexicon: Thayer’s emphasizes the role of the δούλη (doúlē) within the New Testament as one who serves others, especially within the household or in spiritual contexts, such as Mary’s declaration of herself as “the Lord’s servant” (Luke 1:38).
• LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ provides a broader view, noting that δούλη (doúlē) was commonly used in classical Greek literature to refer to any female in servitude, whether legally bound as a slave or in a figurative sense of being bound to a particular duty or service.
• Scripture References:
• Luke 1:38: “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”
• Galatians 4:22: “For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.”
• Acts 2:18: “Even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.”

Usage in Classical Greek Literature:

• Homer, Odyssey: In the Odyssey, δούλη (doúlē) is used to describe the women who serve in the households of noblemen, often as caretakers or attendants, emphasizing their roles in the domestic sphere.
• Sophocles, Antigone: In Antigone, the term is used metaphorically to describe a woman’s subjection to fate or the gods, highlighting themes of duty and obedience within the context of Greek tragedy.
• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus uses δούλη (doúlē) to describe women taken as spoils of war, reflecting the legal and social realities of slavery in ancient Greek society.

Summary of δούλη (G1399: doúlē)

The Greek word δούλη (doúlē), transliterated as doúlē and pronounced [DOO-lay], is a noun that specifically refers to a female slave or bondwoman. It is the feminine counterpart to δοῦλος (doulos), meaning “slave” or “servant.” The term is used both literally and metaphorically in the New Testament and classical Greek literature, emphasizing the role of women in servitude, whether in household settings or broader social and spiritual contexts. The word δούλη (doúlē) encapsulates themes of duty, obedience, and subjugation, which were integral to understanding the position of women in ancient Greek and early Christian societies.