Hire
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Hire in the Bible?
Hire denotes the wages paid for labor or services rendered, representing a standard economic transaction within the ancient Near Eastern context of the Old Testament.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the concept of hire illuminates the economic realities and social obligations between employers and workers, providing deeper insight into the fairness and justice themes prevalent in biblical law and narrative.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Hire. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Hire in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Hire clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Hire." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/hire/