שִׁפְחָה

1. literally, maid, maid-servant, as belonging to a mistress Gen 16:1; Gen 16:3; Gen 16:6; Gen 16:8 (PJ) Gen 29:24; Gen 29:29 (P) Ps 123:2; Prov 30:23; Isa 24:2 even where concubine of master (compare אָמָה) Gen 16:2; Gen 16:5 (PJ) Gen 25:12; Gen 35:25; Gen 35:26 (P) Gen 30:4; Gen 30:7; Gen 30:9; Gen 30:10; Gen 30:12; Gen 30:18 (all J E); less often reference to master Gen 29:24; Gen 29:29 (J), Ruth 2:13, of concubine Gen 32:23, compare Gen 33:1; Gen 33:2; Gen 33:6 (all J); marriageable Lev 19:20 (H, compare Exod 11:5 not elsewhere in legisl.); in general, especially of menial service (never אָמָה) Exod 11:5 (J) 1Sam 25:41 (opposed to אָמָה) 2Sam 17:17 (|| עֶבֶד) Gen 12:16; Gen 24:35(J) Gen 20:14 (E) Gen 30:43 (P) Gen 32:6 (J; collective) Deut 28:68; 1Sam 8:16; 2Kgs 5:26; Isa 14:2; Jer 34:9; Jer 34:10; Jer 34:11 (twice in verse); Jer 34:16 (twice in verse); Joel 3:2; Eccl 2:7; 2Chr 28:10; Esth 7:4.

2. figurative in address, שִׁפְחָֽתְךָ, etc., of speaker, in token of humility (see אָמָה) Ruth 2:13 (|| אָמָה Ruth 3:9), 1Sam 1:18 (|| id. v1Sam 1:16), 1Sam 25:27, (|| v1Sam 25:24f.), 1Sam 28:21; 1Sam 28:22; 2Sam 14:6; 2Sam 14:7; 2Sam 14:12 (twice in verse); 2Sam 14:15; 2Sam 14:17; 2Sam 14:19 (|| אָמָה v2Sam 14:15 v2Sam 14:16); 2Kgs 4:2; 2Kgs 4:16 not toward God; but see אָמָה.