Brief Overview of δοῦλον (G1400: doûlon)

• δοῦλον (doûlon) [DOO-lon]
• Etymology: Derived from the Greek word δοῦλος (doulos), meaning “slave” or “servant,” specifically referring to a male slave or servant.
• Part of Speech: Noun, neuter.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

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• Slave or Servant: The primary meaning of δοῦλον (doûlon) is “a slave” or “servant,” emphasizing the condition of servitude, typically referring to a male slave or servant. It often implies a lack of personal freedom and being under the control of a master.
• Bondservant: In some contexts, the term is used to describe someone who is bound by law or custom to serve another person, often for life, highlighting the sense of obligation and duty.

Further Insights:

• Morphological Composition: The word δοῦλον (doûlon) is the neuter form of δοῦλος (doulos), which is more commonly used. The neuter ending “-ον” (-on) can indicate a general reference, often used in legal or formal contexts to describe a state or condition rather than a specific person.
• Usage in Context: δοῦλον (doûlon) is used in contexts that highlight the role of a male in servitude or service, whether as a household servant, laborer, or in metaphorical terms, such as being in service to God or a cause.

Lexicon Insights:

• BDAG: BDAG defines δοῦλον (doûlon) as a male slave or bondservant, emphasizing its usage in the New Testament to depict those who are in service to others, including metaphorical uses for spiritual servitude.
• Thayer’s Lexicon: Thayer’s highlights the use of δοῦλον (doûlon) in describing individuals who are in a position of subjection, whether legally, socially, or spiritually. It notes its application in various New Testament passages where individuals are described as servants of Christ.
• LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): LSJ offers a broader classical usage, noting that δοῦλον (doûlon) was a common term in Greek literature to describe a person who is owned by another, used extensively in legal and societal texts.
• Scripture References:
• Matthew 8:9: “For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
• Romans 6:16: “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”
• Galatians 4:7: “So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Usage in Classical Greek Literature:

• Homer, Iliad: In the Iliad, δοῦλον (doûlon) is used to describe captured warriors who are made slaves, serving in the households of their captors, emphasizing their loss of freedom and status.
• Plato, Republic: Plato uses the term to discuss the concept of justice and societal roles, where δοῦλον (doûlon) refers to those who serve others within the ideal state structure, often as laborers or caretakers.
• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus employs δοῦλον (doûlon) to describe individuals taken as slaves during wars, reflecting the harsh realities of ancient warfare and the fate of those who were captured.

Summary of δοῦλον (G1400: doûlon)

The Greek word δοῦλον (doûlon), transliterated as doûlon and pronounced [DOO-lon], is a neuter noun that specifically refers to a male slave or servant. It is the neuter form of δοῦλος (doulos), meaning “slave” or “servant.” The term is used in the New Testament and classical Greek literature to describe individuals in servitude, whether in a literal sense as household slaves or in a metaphorical sense as servants of God or a cause. The word δοῦλον (doûlon) encapsulates themes of duty, obedience, and subjugation, reflecting the societal and spiritual contexts of slavery in ancient Greek and early Christian societies.