The meaning of “עֲבֹדָה”
Understanding ʻăbôdâh reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
or עֲבוֹדָה ʻăbôwdâh (ab-o-daw'); from עָבַד act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), offi...
עֲבֹדָה
or עֲבוֹדָה ʻăbôwdâh (ab-o-daw'); from עָבַד act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. - work of any kind 1) labour, service 1a) labour, work 1b) labour (of servant or slave) 1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects) 1d) service (of God)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 30:26 | “Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.” Word: עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh) | |
| Numbers 7:7 | “Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service:” Word: עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh) | |
| 1 Kings 12:4 | “Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.” Word: עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh) | |
| Ezra 8:20 | “Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinims: all of them were expressed by name.” Word: עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh) | |
| Isaiah 28:21 | “For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.” Word: עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh) |