Hireling
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Hireling in the Bible?
A hireling denotes a wage laborer in the ancient Near East, characterized by a lack of permanent attachment to the employer's property and a reliance on daily payment for survival. Biblical narratives contrast this transient status with that of a shepherd who owns the flock, emphasizing the hireling's tendency to flee danger to protect personal safety rather than the flock.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the economic vulnerability and social status of a hireling clarifies the metaphorical weight of Jesus' declaration in John 10, where the contrast between the good shepherd and the hireling underscores the difference between sacrificial leadership and self-interested management.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Hireling in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Hireling 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.