Bible Dictionary
WENCH
“Wench” is an obsolete English rendering for a maidservant or female slave. In the biblical passage, the underlying term simply means a female servant.
Definition
Wench is an obsolete English rendering for a maidservant or female slave. In the biblical passage it has no special moral meaning and simply identifies a female servant.
Biblical Usage
The King James Version uses wench once, in 2 Samuel 17:17. Revised versions render the word maid-servant.
Historical Background
Wench formerly had the ordinary sense of maidservant, but that usage is now practically obsolete. The Hebrew term is a common word for maidservant or female slave.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>wench, wensh (shiphchah): The word "wench" is found only in 2Sa 17:17 the King James Version, where the Revised Version (British and American) has "maid-servant." The Hebrew word shiphchah here used is a common term for maid-servant, female slave. the King James Version used the word "wench" to convey the meaning maid-servant, which was a common use of the word at that time, but it is now practically obsolete.</p>