Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7916 (שָׂכִיר, sakir): A hired man, laborer, or mercenary.
• H7936 (שָׂכַר, sakar): To hire, to engage for service.

These Hebrew terms similarly convey the concept of hired labor and are used in the Old Testament to describe individuals who work for wages, often in agricultural or domestic settings. The distinction between hired workers and those with familial or covenantal ties is a recurring theme in both the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures.

Usage: The term μισθωτός is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who are employed for wages, often in contrast to those who have a more personal or familial connection to the work or the employer.

Context: The Greek term μισθωτός appears in the New Testament to denote a hired worker, typically in the context of agricultural or pastoral labor. This term is used to highlight the distinction between those who work for personal gain and those who have a vested interest in the welfare of the work or the property.

In John 10:12-13, Jesus uses the term μισθωτός to describe a hired hand who does not own the sheep and therefore does not have the same level of commitment or care for them as the shepherd. The hired hand, when faced with danger, such as the approach of a wolf, abandons the sheep and flees, demonstrating a lack of genuine concern for the flock. This passage contrasts the self-serving nature of the hired worker with the sacrificial love and dedication of the good shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep.

The concept of μισθωτός also appears in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17-19), where the younger son, after squandering his inheritance, considers returning to his father and asking to be made one of the hired servants. This reflects the son's recognition of his unworthiness and his willingness to accept a lower status in his father's household.

The use of μισθωτός in these contexts underscores themes of loyalty, responsibility, and the nature of true service. It serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths, illustrating the difference between those who serve out of obligation or for personal benefit and those who serve out of love and commitment.