Between Subordination and Strategy ―A Servants’ Liminal Status in Political Dynamics from the Case of Ziba

Abstract

This paper explores the complex meaning and social function of the Hebrew term עבד in the Hebrew Bible, challenging the binary translation of the term as either “servant” or “slave.” Through lexical analysis, comparative Semitic linguistics, and contextual readings of biblical passages, this study demonstrates that עבד connotes a flexible category of subordination rather than a fixed legal or social status. Special attention is given to the economic exploitation of עבד within systems of forced labor, particularly in the form of corvée, and how such systems reflect broader patterns of oppression in the ancient Near East. Yet, alongside these depictions of exploitation, the paper also considers the agency of עבד within these structures. Through the example of Ziba in 2 Samuel, the study explores how displays of loyalty could function as strategic responses to political instability. By examining both the institutional and personal dimensions of עבד, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of servitude, social hierarchy, and survival in the biblical world.