I. BONDMEN. The fact that servants, from the heathen are called "_bondmen_," while others are called "servants," is quoted as proof that the former were slaves. As the _caprices_ of King James' translators were not divinely inspired, we need stand in no special awe of them. The word rendered _bondmen_, in this passage, is the same word uniformly rendered _servants_ elsewhere. To infer from this that the Gentile servants were slaves, is absurd. Look at the use of the Hebrew word "_Ebed_," the plural of which is here translated "_bondmen_." In Isaiah xlii. 1, the _same word_ is applied to Christ. "Behold my _servant_ (bondman, slave?) whom I have chosen, mine elect in whom my soul delighteth." So Isaiah lii. 13. "Behold my _servant_ (Christ) shall deal prudently." In 1 Kings xii. 6, 7, it is applied to _King Rehoboam_. "And they (the old men) spake unto him, saying if thou wilt be a _servant_ (_Ebed_) unto this people this day, and will serve them and answer them, and wilt speak good words to them, then they will be thy _servants_ forever." In 2 Chron. xii. 7, 8, 9, 13, it is applied to the king and all the nation. In fine, the word is applied to _all_ persons doing service to others--to magistrates, to all governmental officers, to tributaries, to all the subjects of governments, to younger sons--defining their relation to the first born, who is called _Lord_ and _ruler_--to prophets, to kings, to the Messiah, and in respectful addresses not less than _fifty_ times in the Old Testament.