To understand the significance of this important parable, it helps to know that three kinds of servants served in Jewish households:
- Bondservants were like members of the family. They ate with the family, ran the estate on behalf of the family, and were included in most family affairs. (This is similar to the job of "Foreman" in a modern day crew of workers, combined with "butler"-type duties.)
- Bondservants then hired servants, a second class of worker, to carry out the will of the master. These servants did most of the actual work. Though lesser in status, they were still loosely affiliated with the family of the estate owner.
- A third class of worker, the "hired men," were similar to today's per diem laborers ("employed by the day".) These people were typically hired for short term menial tasks, like harvesting crops. They had no standing in the family and could be hired or fired at will. They formed the lowest rung of the social ladder on any estate. This is what the son asked for -- to be hired without recognition of his family birthright, because he was so ashamed of his mistakes.
The father's surprising response (and the other brother's reaction) to this strange request is best learned through reading the relevant scripture.
