Metaphysical meaning of Ebed (mbd)
Ebed, e'-bed (Heb.)--worker, i.e., one who works for another; laborer; servant; slave.
a Father of Gaal; Gaal aided the men of Shechem in opposing Abimelech (Judg. 9:26-31). In order to become ruler, or judge, over Israel, Abimelech had slain all his brothers except the youngest one, who escaped. b An Ebed returned with Ezra from the captivity in Babylon (Ezra 8:6).
Meta. Gaal the son of Ebed means abortion, miscarriage, rejection with loathing. His fighting against Abimelech was very much like one error's opposing another.
Service is good but it should always be done freely in love to God and man; it should be prompted by the idea of divine sonship, rather than by the thought of servitude. If we get the thought of serving from the standpoint of a hired laborer, servant, or slave, our ministry becomes a burden and we are not blessed thereby. This is the Ebed type of service. When directed against error it does not come to fruition; it miscarries (Gaal); it does not lead to real overcoming.
The Ebed who returned with Ezra from the Babylonian captivity symbolizes the serving thought from a more spiritual standpoint.
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Preceding Entry: Ebal
Following Entry: Ebed-melech
