HIRELING, in Moses, is taken sometimes for a Labourer, or strange Servant who was not a Jew: for example, he forbids Exod. xii. 45. Levit. xxii. 10.the Stranger to eat the Passover. In another place, by this word is meant an hired Jew who is not a Priest: he is not allowed to eat of meat sanctified and sacrificed John x. 12, 13.to the Lord. In the Gospel, the Hireling is set in opposition to the true Shepherd; the first neglects the sheep, the second loves and guides them carefully.
The Hirelings whom the Father of the family (that is to say, God) sends into his Vineyard, are the Prophets and Apostles, Jews and Christians; the second succeed the first, and all receive their reward when Matth. xx. 28.their work is done.
The Labourer or the Hireling is worthy of his hire, or wages; this is a Proverb, Matth. x. 10. and 1 Tim. v. 18.