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δοῦλος

doûlos

G1401 noun

SILEX Entry

Root δουλ- to bind, to enslave, to serve in absolute subjection

Definition

Fundamentally denotes a person bound in servitude to another, typically one lacking personal freedom and under the authority of a master; most commonly rendered 'slave.' In broader usage throughout Greek sources, can indicate a variety of dependent or subordinate statuses, from literal enslaved persons to metaphorical service or devotion (e.g., allegiance to a deity, commitment to a cause or leader). Context determines whether the sense is strictly legal (chattel slavery), domestic (household servant), or figurative (spiritual or moral subjection).

Semantic Range

enslaved person (slave), one in absolute subjection, household servant (rare, and usually still a slave), metaphorical servant/devotee; subject to another's will, person wholly devoted to another, instrument or agent under the control of another

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root δε-, as in δέω ('to bind'), suggesting the basic notion of being bound or tied. The precise etymology before its appearance in Classical Greek is uncertain. Cognate with Latin servus only at the semantic level, not etymological.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δοῦλος consistently refers to enslaved persons—those who are legally property of others and lack autonomy. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term maintains this primary sense but can also be used metaphorically for complete submission to a person, deity, or abstract principle. Septuagint usage often translates Hebrew עֶבֶד (ʿeved), which itself can carry both the senses of 'slave' and more general 'servant.' In New Testament contexts, δοῦλος can indicate literal enslavement or, more often, a position of humble service or absolute allegiance—such as 'δοῦλος θεοῦ' (servant/slave of God). English translations often obscure the distinction between slave and servant; however, δοῦλος in the ancient world almost always implied loss of legal freedom. The word does not primarily communicate the voluntary service suggested by 'servant' in modern English, nor does it align neatly with any single institution in modern societies. Care should be taken to distinguish δοῦλος from related terms such as οἰκέτης (household servant) and διάκονος (attendant, minister), which may imply lesser degrees of subordination or greater degrees of professional/voluntary service. In Greco-Roman society, δοῦλος was never used for free hired workers or for courtiers unless an explicit metaphorical or hyperbolic sense was intended. Occasionally in philosophical and moral texts, the term is transferred to contexts of internal subjection (to passions, sin, etc.).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from δέω; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):--bond(-man), servant.

Root Family

δοῦλος (doulos) — slave, one bound in servitude, person in absolute subjection

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G1399 δούλη O slave

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G1401-06 δοῦλος doulos N NOM M SG servant slave 35
G1401-05 δούλων doulon N GEN M PL servant of slaves 23
G1401-03 δοῦλοι douloi N NOM M PL servants slaves 22
G1401-08 δούλους doulous N ACC M PL servants enslaved men 19
G1401-04 δούλοις doulois N DAT M PL servants to slaves 7
G1401-07 δούλου doulou N GEN M SG servant of a slave 6
G1401-01 δοῦλε doule N VOC M SG servant O slave 6
G1401-02 δούλῳ doulo N DAT M SG servant to a slave 6

Occurrences in Scripture

124 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G1401-02 Matthew 8:9 δούλῳ doulo N DAT M SG to a slave
G1401-06 Matthew 10:24 δοῦλος doulos N NOM M SG slave
G1401-06 Matthew 10:25 δοῦλος doulos N NOM M SG slave
G1401-03 Matthew 13:27 δοῦλοι douloi N NOM M PL slaves
G1401-03 Matthew 13:28 δοῦλοι douloi N NOM M PL servants slaves
G1401-05 Matthew 18:23 δούλων doulon N GEN M PL of slaves
G1401-06 Matthew 18:26 δοῦλος doulos N NOM M SG slave
G1401-07 Matthew 18:27 δούλου doulou N GEN M SG of a slave
G1401-06 Matthew 18:28 δοῦλος doulos N NOM M SG slave
G1401-01 Matthew 18:32 δοῦλε doule N VOC M SG O slave
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