Bible Dictionary
MISTRESS
Mistress can mean a lady, female owner, or woman exercising authority over a household or servant. In one passage it refers to a woman who possessed a familiar spirit.
Definition
Mistress may mean a lady, female owner, or woman exercising authority over a household or servant. In one expression it denotes the mistress or owner of a familiar spirit.
Biblical Usage
The word translates terms meaning “lady” or “owner” and is applied to women in household and social relationships. In the account of Saul’s consultation, it describes a woman who possessed a familiar spirit.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>mis'-tres (ba`alah, gebhereth): Is the translation of ba`alah, "lady," "owner" (1Ki 17:17; Na 3:4); in 1Sa 28:7, "a woman that hath a familiar spirit" is literally, "the mistress of a familiar spirit"; of gebhereth (Ge 16:4,8,9; 2Ki 5:3; Ps 123:2; Pr 30:23; Isa 24:2); in Isa 47:5,7, we have the King James Version and the English Revised Version "lady," the American Standard Revised Version "mistress."</p>