Lexical Summary amel: Labor, toil, trouble, hardship Original Word: עָמֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance that labors, that is a misery, had taken labor, wicked, workman From amal; toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful -- that laboureth, that is a misery, had taken (labour), wicked, workman. see HEBREW amal Brown-Driver-Briggs I. עָמֵל noun masculineProverbs 16:26 labourer, sufferer; — ׳ע Proverbs 16:26 2t.; plural עֲמֵלִים Judges 5:26; — 1 labourer, workman: Judges 5:26; Proverbs 16:26. 2 sufferer, Job 3:20 ("" מָרֵי נֶפֶשׁ), Job 20:22. Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope עָמֵל portrays arduous human effort marked by strain, fatigue, and the sense of burden that frequently accompanies life in a fallen world. Depending on context it can describe (1) the person who labors, (2) the labor itself, or (3) the misery that often clings to such exertion. Distribution and Literary Setting Nine occurrences span three major biblical blocs: The concentration in Job and Ecclesiastes highlights the word’s role in exploring the human condition. Illustrative Passages Judges 5:26 shows everyday implements of toil becoming instruments of deliverance: “She reached for the pin with her right hand, for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera…”. Even common labor can be commandeered by God for His redemptive purposes. Job laments toil as misery: “Why is light given to the one in misery, and life to the bitter of soul?” (Job 3:20). Later, Job warns that unchecked prosperity can end in the “full force of misery” (Job 20:22). Solomon notes toil’s motivational power: “A worker’s appetite works for him, because his hunger drives him onward” (Proverbs 16:26). Yet Ecclesiastes repeatedly exposes its futility apart from God: “What does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 2:22). Theological Reflections 1. Dignity of Work: From creation onward human beings are called to cultivate and steward (Genesis 2:15), and עָמֵל reminds us that labor is integral to creaturely existence. Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Pastoral care must acknowledge the real weariness expressed in Job and Ecclesiastes, offering both empathy and gospel hope. Christ and Ultimate Rest Jesus invites the weary to Himself: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). His finished work transforms futile toil into meaningful service, promising a future where “His servants will serve Him” without curse or fatigue (Revelation 22:3). Thus עָמֵל, while exposing the heaviness of life under the sun, ultimately presses the reader toward the Savior who redeems labor and relieves misery. Forms and Transliterations לְעָמֵ֣ל לעמל עֲמֵלִ֑ים עָ֭מֵל עָמֵ֖ל עָמֵ֗ל עָמֵ֣ל עָמֵֽל׃ עמל עמל׃ עמלים ‘ă·mê·lîm ‘ā·mêl ‘āmêl ‘ămêlîm aMel ameLim lə‘āmêl lə·‘ā·mêl leaMelLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 5:26 HEB: וִֽימִינָ֖הּ לְהַלְמ֣וּת עֲמֵלִ֑ים וְהָלְמָ֤ה סִֽיסְרָא֙ NAS: And her right hand for the workmen's hammer. KJV: and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; INT: right hammer the workmen's struck Sisera Job 3:20 Job 20:22 Proverbs 16:26 Ecclesiastes 2:18 Ecclesiastes 2:22 Ecclesiastes 3:9 Ecclesiastes 4:8 Ecclesiastes 9:9 9 Occurrences |
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