Servant

(Heb. ‘ebed) (20:3; 42:1; 2 Sam. 10:19; Jer. 7:25) Strong’s #5650

This word is derived from a verb meaning “to serve,” “to work,” or “to enslave.” While ‘ebed can mean slave (Gen. 43:18), slavery in Israel was different than in most places in the ancient Middle East. Slavery was regulated by the Law of Moses, which prohibited indefinite slavery and required that slaves be freed on the Sabbath (seventh) year (Ex. 21:2) — and the Year of Jubilee — the fiftieth year (Lev. 25:25–28). Sometimes the Hebrew word can refer to the subjects of a king (2 Sam. 10:19). But usually, the word is best translated as 'servant'. God referred to His prophets as “My servants” (Jer. 7:25) and spoke of the coming Messiah as His Servant, the One who would perfectly obey His will (see 42:1–4; 49:1–6; 50:4–9; 52:13—53:12).

Taken from NKJV Study Bible