παιδίσκη

a female slave, maidservant, maid.

Definition

Παιδίσκη primarily denotes a female slave or maidservant, often a young woman in servitude. In the New Testament, it consistently refers to a female household servant, as seen when Peter is confronted by a παιδίσκη in the high priest's courtyard (Matthew 26:69, Mark 14:66, Luke 22:56, John 18:17). In some contexts, it can imply a servant girl of lower social status, such as the slave girl with a spirit of divination in Acts 16:16. The word also appears in a parable describing a servant left in charge (Luke 12:45), emphasizing her role within a household's hierarchy.

Biblical Usage

The word is used 12 times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels and Acts. Its usage is almost exclusively in narrative contexts involving direct interaction with a specific female servant. A clear pattern is its role in the Passion narratives, where it is used by multiple Gospel writers for the servant who identifies Peter (Matthew 26:69, Mark 14:66-69, Luke 22:56, John 18:17). Other instances include Rhoda, the servant in Mary's house (Acts 12:13), and the exploited slave girl in Philippi (Acts 16:16).

Etymology

Παιδίσκη is a diminutive noun derived from παῖς (pais, G3816), meaning 'child' or 'servant.' The '-ισκη' suffix typically indicates a young female, thus the core meaning is a 'young female servant' or 'girl.' It is a cognate of παιδίον (paidion, G3813), a more general term for a young child. The word inherently carries connotations of youth and subservience.

Semantic Range

While primarily a social descriptor, παιδίσκη gains theological significance in its narrative contexts. In the Passion accounts, the interactions with the παιδίσκη highlight Peter's denial and human weakness, contrasting with Jesus' steadfastness. In Acts, the slave girl in Philippi (Acts 16:16) becomes a point of conflict leading to Paul's imprisonment and the subsequent conversion of the jailer, showing how God works through the lowly and oppressed. Understanding this term enriches reading by clarifying the social vulnerability of these characters, through whom key moments of testing and mission unfold.

In the Greco-Roman world, a παιδίσκη was a female slave or servant, legally the property of her owner with very few rights. She was typically a young woman performing domestic duties. This status is crucial for understanding the narratives: the accusations from a low-status servant carried significant shame for Peter, and the slave girl in Acts 16:16 was a financial asset to her owners. Modern readers might equate her with a 'maid,' but this misses the legal and social reality of her being owned, not merely employed.

δούλη (doulē, G1399) — A more general term for a female slave, often without the specific connotation of youth carried by παιδίσκη. παῖς (pais, G3816) — Can mean 'child' or 'servant' (male or female), but is less specific than παιδίσκη. οἰκέτις (oiketis, G3610) — A female household servant, emphasizing her place within the domestic sphere.

Word Details

Scripture References