Lexical Summary abad: To serve, to work, to labor, to worship Original Word: עֲבַד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance servant (Aramaic) from abad; a servant -- servant. see HEBREW abad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to ebed Definition slave, servant NASB Translation servant (1), servants (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עֲבַד Dp.105, or עֲבֵד K§ 54, 3. γ)] noun masculine slave, servant (Biblical Hebrew עֶ֫בֶד); — construct עֲבֵד Daniel 6:21 servant of God; plural suffix of king, עבדיך Kt (K§ 53 Anm. b)), עַבְדָּךְ Qr Ezra 4:11, עַבְדָךְ Qr Daniel 2:4; suffix of God, עַבְד֫וֺתִי, Daniel 3:26,28; Ezra 5:11, of king Daniel 2:7. Topical Lexicon Overview The Aramaic verb עֲבַד (ʿăbad, Strong’s 5649) speaks of doing or working, and by extension of serving. Its seven canonical occurrences all appear in the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, books that recount the lives and challenges of God’s people living under foreign dominion. Each setting highlights the tension— and harmony— between earthly service and ultimate loyalty to the God of Heaven. Occurrences and Literary Setting 1. Ezra 4:11; 5:11 – Persian officials describe the returned Jews as “the servants of the God of Heaven and earth.” Service within Imperial Structures The verb consistently occurs on the lips of imperial powers—Persian governors, Chaldean astrologers, Babylonian and Medo-Persian monarchs. Scripture thus portrays God’s people conducting legitimate civil service while maintaining distinctly theological allegiance. The term frames believers as royal subjects and employees, yet never allows earthly authority to eclipse divine sovereignty (cf. Ezra 5:11; Daniel 6:20). Confession of Identity In both Ezra and Daniel, ʿăbad becomes a badge of identity: Deliverance of the Servants Daniel 3 and 6 pair ʿăbad with miraculous rescue. God vindicates those who refuse idolatrous service (Daniel 3) and those who serve Him “continually” (Daniel 6). The narrative arc illustrates Psalm 34:22 in historical form: “The LORD redeems the soul of His servants.” Theology of Work and Worship Because ʿăbad ranges from common labor to priestly duty, its Aramaic uses remind readers that all legitimate work is to be rendered unto God. Whether drafting letters to Artaxerxes or interpreting dreams for Nebuchadnezzar, God’s servants transform secular employment into sacred vocation when performed in covenant fidelity. Foreshadowing New-Covenant Service The Old Testament profile of ʿăbad anticipates New-Testament calls to be “servants of Christ” (Ephesians 6:6). Daniel’s “continual” service (Daniel 6:20) prefigures the apostolic exhortation: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). Ministry Implications 1. Vocation: Believers today, like Ezra’s builders and Daniel’s administrators, may serve within secular systems without compromising spiritual integrity. Summary Aramaic ʿăbad mirrors the heart of biblical servanthood: diligent, faithful action carried out before human authorities yet directed to the Lord. In every occurrence, the term anchors identity, elevates labor, and spotlights the God who preserves and honors those who serve Him. Forms and Transliterations לְעַבְד֔וֹהִי לְעַבְד֖וֹהִי לְעַבְדָ֖ךְ לעבדוהי לעבדך עֲבֵד֙ עַבְד֛וֹהִי עַבְדָיִךְ עַבְדוֹהִי֩ עבד עבדוהי עבדיך ‘ă·ḇêḏ ‘aḇ·ḏā·yiḵ ‘aḇ·ḏō·w·hî ‘aḇḏāyiḵ ‘aḇḏōwhî ‘ăḇêḏ avdayich avdoHi aVed lə‘aḇḏāḵ lə‘aḇḏōwhî lə·‘aḇ·ḏāḵ lə·‘aḇ·ḏō·w·hî leavDach leavDohiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 4:11 HEB: אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֖שְׂתְּא מַלְכָּ֑א [עַבְדָיִךְ כ] (עַבְדָ֛ךְ NAS: Artaxerxes: Your servants, the men KJV: the king; Thy servants the men INT: Artaxerxes to King your servants the men the region Ezra 5:11 Daniel 2:4 Daniel 2:7 Daniel 3:26 Daniel 3:28 Daniel 6:20 7 Occurrences |
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