Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, November 4th, 2025
the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
video advertismenet
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more! Bible Encyclopedias
Hireling
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Search for…
or
hı̄r´ling ( שׂכיר , sākhı̄r ): Occurs only 6 times in the Old Testament, and uniformly means a laborer for a wage. In Job 7:1 f there is reference to the hireling's anxiety for the close of the day. In Isaiah 16:14 and Isaiah 21:16 the length of the years of a hireling is referred to, probably because of the accuracy with which they were determined by the employer and the employee. Malachi ( Malachi 3:5 ) speaks of the oppression of the hireling in his wages, probably by the smallness of the wage or by in some way defrauding him of part of it.
In the New Testament the word "hireling" ( μισθωτός , misthōtós ) occurs only in John 10:12 f, where his neglect of the sheep is contrasted unfavorably with the care and courage of the shepherd who owns the sheep, who leads them to pasture and lays down his life for their protection from danger and death.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and were generously provided by the folks at WordSearch Software.
Bibliography Information
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. Entry for 'Hireling'. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/isb/h/hireling.html. 1915.
