The meaning of “עָמַל”
Understanding ʻâmal reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
(take) labour (in). - to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness 1) to labour, toil 1a) (Qal) to labour
עָמַל
(take) labour (in). - to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness 1) to labour, toil 1a) (Qal) to labour
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Psalms 127:1 | “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Word: עָמַל (ʻâmal) | |
| Proverbs 16:26 | “He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.” Word: עָמַל (ʻâmal) | |
| Ecclesiastes 2:21 | “For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.” Word: עָמַל (ʻâmal) | |
| Jonah 4:10 | “Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:” Word: עָמַל (ʻâmal) |