μισθωτός (G3411) — Greek Lexicon

μισθωτός

misthōtós

G3411 noun

SILEX Entry

Root μισθ- to hire, to pay wages, to earn

Definition

A person who works or serves for wages, particularly one who is hired for a specific task or period; generally, a hired worker or wage laborer. In various contexts, the term may also carry connotations of lacking a familial or personal connection to the employer or the work, compared to a household servant or family member. In figurative use, may denote someone motivated primarily by personal gain or payment rather than loyalty or intrinsic commitment.

Semantic Range

hired worker, wage laborer, day laborer, person engaged for pay, hired servant, hireling (sometimes pejorative or neutral depending on context)

Root / Etymology

From μισθόω (to hire for wages), which is formed from μισθός (wages, pay, reward). The suffix -τός forms an adjective/noun indicating one who is subject to the action (i.e., 'one who is hired').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, μισθωτός referred broadly to any hired worker or servant in contrast to household slaves (δοῦλοι) or sons. In Hellenistic and Roman periods, especially in the context of rural or agrarian economies, it designates laborers engaged for wages, often on a temporary basis. In the Septuagint, it renders Hebrew terms for wage-earners distinct from slaves or household servants, e.g., Leviticus 19:13. In the New Testament (e.g., John 10:12-13), μισθωτός is contrasted with the shepherd: the hireling is motivated by payment, not belonging, thus less likely to risk personal loss for others. Traditional English translations often use 'hireling' or 'hired servant' but may not always capture the nuance that the term does not inherently carry a negative connotation; its moral or social evaluation depends on context. The word should not be confused with other terms for slaves (δοῦλος) or bondservants, as it implies freedom and contractual labor. No connection to later or theological notions of servants as a spiritual status—its meaning remains socio-economic.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μισθόω; a wage-worker (good or bad):--hired servant, hireling.

Root Family

μισθωτός (misthōtos) — to hire, to pay wages, to earn; hired worker, wage laborer

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G3411-02`	μισθωτὸς	misthotos	`N NOM M SG`	a hired man	hired worker	2
`G3411-01`	μισθωτῶν	misthoton	`N GEN M PL`	hired servants	of hired workers	1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G3411-01`	Mark 1:20	μισθωτῶν	misthoton	`N GEN M PL`	hired servants	of hired workers
`G3411-02`	John 10:12	μισθωτὸς	misthotos	`N NOM M SG`	hireling	hired worker
`G3411-02`	John 10:13	μισθωτός	misthotos	`N NOM M SG`	a hired man	hired worker

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