παιδίσκη

Pronunciation Guide: pah-hee-DEES-kay

Quick Answer: Strong’s G3814 παιδίσκη primarily means a young female servant or slave girl, but carries profound theological significance as a symbol of spiritual bondage versus freedom in the Messiah. The word encompasses both the literal meaning of a young woman in servitude and the metaphorical representation of life under the law versus grace.

What Does παιδίσκη Mean?

Strong’s G3814: παιδίσκη represents a young female servant, slave girl, or maidservant, typically in the years of late childhood through early youth. Beyond its literal meaning, this word carries extraordinary theological weight in Scripture, particularly in Paul’s allegory of Hagar and Sarah in Galatians 4. The παιδίσκη becomes a powerful symbol of spiritual bondage under the law, contrasted with the freedom found in the New Covenant through the Messiah. This word appears at pivotal moments in the Gospel narratives, including Peter’s denial, where servant girls recognize the connection between Peter and Yeshua, highlighting how even those in lowly positions can bear witness to truth. The theological richness of παιδίσκη transforms a simple designation of social status into a profound commentary on spiritual freedom and inheritance in יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) kingdom.

Key Insight: The παιδίσκη represents not just social servitude, but the spiritual bondage we experience apart from the Messiah’s liberating grace.

Where Does παιδίσκη Come From?

• Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
• Root Words: Diminutive of παῖς (pais), meaning “child” or “servant”
• Language Origin: Classical Greek, found in Xenophon, Herodotus, and other ancient authors
• Primary Usage: Young female servant, slave girl, maidservant
• Hebrew Equivalents: אָמָה (amah) – maidservant, שִׁפְחָה (shiphchah) – female servant

What Is the Historical and Cultural Context of παιδίσκη?

In classical Greek literature, παιδίσκη originally denoted a young girl or maiden, as used by Xenophon in his Anabasis. The Diminutive Force: The word carries diminutive meaning, suggesting not just youth but also a sense of endearment or smallness. However, by the time of Herodotus (1.93), the term had evolved to specifically indicate a young female slave, often employed in domestic service or even as a courtesan.

Social Status in Ancient Times: In the Greco-Roman world, a παιδίσκη occupied the lowest rungs of society – she was doubly disadvantaged by both her gender and her servile status. These young women often served as doorkeepers (θυρωρός), a role specifically mentioned in John 18:17, where the παιδίσκη questions Peter about his association with Yeshua. Hebrew Background: The Septuagint translators chose παιδίσκη to render the Hebrew terms אָמָה and שִׁפְחָה, both referring to female servants or handmaids. This translation choice was significant because it maintained the concept of servitude while emphasizing the youth and vulnerability of these women.

Cultural Transformation: The most profound transformation of παιδίσκη occurs in Paul’s theological usage, where Hagar the παιδίσκη becomes a symbol of the Old Covenant, Mount Sinai, and spiritual bondage. This represents a masterful use of typology, where historical figures become symbols of spiritual realities.

Historical Summary: From describing young maidens in classical literature to symbolizing spiritual bondage, παιδίσκη evolved from social designation to theological metaphor.

How Is παιδίσκη Used in the Bible?

παιδίσκη appears 13 times in 12 verses in the Greek New Testament, translated as “damsel” (4x), “bondwomen” (4x), “maid” (3x), “maiden” (1x), and “bondmaid” (1x). The word’s usage falls into two primary categories: literal references to servant girls and Paul’s allegorical usage regarding Hagar.

Literal Usage: Most occurrences describe actual servant girls, particularly in the Passion narratives where servant girls recognize Peter and challenge his denials. These encounters in Matthew 26:69, Mark 14:66-69, Luke 22:56, and John 18:17 demonstrate how even those of lowest social status could perceive spiritual truth. The Spiritual Significance: In Galatians 4:22-31, Paul transforms Hagar from a historical figure into a profound theological symbol, representing the Old Covenant, Mount Sinai, and the present Jerusalem that is in bondage with her children.

Usage Summary: Biblical usage transforms παιδίσκη from a simple social designation into a powerful theological metaphor contrasting bondage and freedom in the Messiah.

• Matthew 26:69 – “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee” – [παιδίσκη]
• Mark 14:66 – “And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest” – [παιδισκῶν]
• Luke 22:56 – “But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire” – [παιδίσκη]
• John 18:17 – “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter” – [παιδίσκη]
• Acts 12:13 – “And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda” – [παιδίσκη]
• Galatians 4:23 – “But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh” – [παιδίσκης]
• Galatians 4:30 – “Cast out the bondwoman and her son” – [παιδίσκην]

How Should παιδίσκη Be Translated?

Primary Meanings:

• Young female servant or slave
• Maidservant, handmaid
• Bondwoman (in theological contexts)
• Young girl or maiden (classical usage)
• Symbol of spiritual bondage (Pauline allegory)

Translation Tip: Context determines whether παιδίσκη should be translated literally (servant girl) or theologically (bondwoman representing spiritual slavery).

παιδίσκη Translation Options:

What Does παιδίσκη Teach Us About God?

The παιδίσκη reveals profound truths about יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) character and His redemptive plan. Divine Concern for the Lowly: Throughout Scripture, יהוה consistently demonstrates His care for those society overlooks or oppresses. The servant girls who recognized Peter were witnesses to truth, showing that יהוה uses the humble to confound the wise. The God of Freedom: Paul’s allegory of the παιδίσκη versus the free woman reveals יהוה as the God who liberates His people from spiritual bondage. The contrast between Hagar and Sarah illustrates the difference between human effort under the law and divine grace through promise.

Theological Implications: The παιδίσκη symbolizes our natural state apart from the Messiah – in bondage to sin, law, and spiritual death. Yet יהוה’s plan involves casting out the bondwoman and her son, not in cruelty, but to establish the inheritance of the children of promise. Divine Justice and Grace: The παιδίσκη allegory demonstrates that יהוה’s justice requires the separation of bondage from freedom, yet His grace provides the means of liberation through Yeshua the Messiah.

Theological Core: יהוה uses the humble παιδίσκη to teach us that true freedom comes through His grace, not human effort or social status.

How Can I Apply παιδίσκη to My Life?

The παιδίσκη calls us to profound self-examination about the nature of true freedom. Like the servant girls who recognized Peter, we may find ourselves in positions that the world considers insignificant, yet יהוה can use us as witnesses to His truth. The spiritual application challenges us to ask whether we are living as children of the παιδίσκη – bound by legalism, human effort, and spiritual slavery – or as children of the free woman, walking in the liberty of the Messiah.

Walking in Freedom: The Holy Spirit empowers us to live not as spiritual servants bound by performance and fear, but as beloved children who have received the inheritance of promise. When we find ourselves returning to patterns of spiritual bondage – whether through legalism, people-pleasing, or self-righteousness – we must remember Paul’s exhortation: “Cast out the bondwoman and her son.” This is not harsh rejection but necessary separation from anything that would compromise our freedom in the Messiah.

Self-Examination Questions: Am I living as a child of the παιδίσκη, bound by performance and fear? How can I walk more fully in the freedom the Messiah has provided? What areas of spiritual bondage do I need to “cast out” through the power of the Holy Spirit?

What Words Are Similar to παιδίσκη?

• παῖς (pais) – “child, servant” – A broader term encompassing both male and female children or servants – See G3816
• παιδίον (paidion) – “little child” – Emphasizes youth and innocence rather than servitude – See G3813
• δούλη (doule) – “female slave” – Focuses on bondage without the youth aspect of παιδίσκη – See G1399
• διάκονος (diakonos) – “servant, minister” – Emphasizes service rather than bondage or social status – See G1249
• θεράπαινα (therapaina) – “female servant” – A more general term for female servant without age specification – See G2324

Did You Know?

• What does παιδίσκη mean in modern Greek? Modern Greek uses “κορίτσι” (koritsi) for “girl,” while παιδίσκη has become archaic, preserved mainly in religious contexts.
• How did Herodotus use παιδίσκη? Herodotus (1.93) used παιδίσκη to describe young female slaves and courtesans, establishing its association with servitude.
• What’s the difference between παιδίσκη and δούλη? παιδίσκη emphasizes youth and often domestic service, while δούλη focuses purely on the slave status regardless of age.
• Why does the Bible use παιδίσκη in Galatians 4? Paul chose παιδίσκη for Hagar to emphasize both her servile status and to create a powerful contrast with Sarah’s freedom.
• How does παιδίσκη relate to covenant theology? The word becomes Paul’s vehicle for contrasting the Old Covenant (bondage) with the New Covenant (freedom).
• What causes spiritual bondage today? Like the παιδίσκη, we experience bondage through legalism, performance-based righteousness, and reliance on human effort rather than divine grace.
• The theological depth of “doorkeeper” – When John describes the παιδίσκη as “the one who kept the door” (θυρωρός), it creates dramatic irony – the lowliest servant becomes the gatekeeper who challenges the chief apostle’s faithfulness.

Remember This

παιδίσκη transforms from ancient servant girl to eternal symbol – reminding us that true freedom comes not from social status but from the liberating grace of יהוה through Yeshua the Messiah.