Lexical Summary etseb: Sorrow, pain, toil, labor Original Word: עֶצֶב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance earthen vessel, idol, labor, sorrowFrom atsab; an earthen vessel; usually (painful) toil; also a pang (whether of body or mind): grievous, idol, labor, sorrow. see HEBREW atsab Brown-Driver-Briggs I. עֶ֫צֶב noun [masculine] pain, hurt, toil; — 1 ׳ע pain Genesis 3:16 (of travail), Proverbs 10:22. 2 hurt (of mind), ׳דְּבַרעֿ Proverbs 15:1 a word that hurts (opposed to מַעֲנֶהרַֿךְ). 3 toil Proverbs 14:23; pluralלֶחֶם הָעֲצָבִים Psalm 127:2 bread of (gained by) toils; suffix עֲצָבֶיךָ Proverbs 5:10. II. עֶ֫צֶב noun masculine vessel (as fashioned); — ׳י ׳נִבְזֶה וגו Jeremiah 22:28 a vessel despised, etc. (figurative of Coniah = Jehoiachin). Topical Lexicon OverviewThe term עֶצֶב (ʿetsev) appears seven times in the Hebrew Bible, describing the burdened exertion of body or spirit that results in pain, grief, or wearisome toil. Scripture links it both to the curse placed upon fallen humanity and to the daily grind of life apart from divine blessing. Occurrences in Scripture Genesis 3:16 identifies עֶצֶב with the pain Eve would experience in childbirth: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children”. This inaugural usage sets the tone for every later occurrence, reminding readers that toil and sorrow are rooted in humanity’s rebellion. Psalm 127:2 contrasts anxious labor with God’s gracious provision: “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved”. Here עֶצֶב signals futile exertion when one strives apart from trust in the Lord. Five occurrences cluster in the wisdom and prophetic books: • Proverbs 5:10 warns that an adulterer’s “wealth will be requited by strangers and your toil will enrich the house of a foreigner.” Themes and Theological Significance 1. The Curse of Toil עֶצֶב is inseparable from the Genesis curse narrative. From that watershed moment, pain and frustration became integral to human experience (Romans 8:20–22). Each later reference recalls the same theological reality: alienation from God subjects work, relationships, and rule to groaning. 2. Futility versus Blessing Wisdom literature juxtaposes wearying labor with the restful security granted by divine favor. Proverbs 10:22 makes the sharpest contrast: God’s blessing enriches without adding עֶצֶב. The lesson is clear—labor under God’s lordship fulfills His creational intent; labor apart from Him yields only anxiety. 3. Moral Consequences Adultery (Proverbs 5:10) and harsh speech (Proverbs 15:1) amplify עֶצֶב in the community. Sin compounds the original curse, spreading grief horizontally among families and nations, as illustrated in Jeremiah’s prophecy against an unfaithful king. 4. Hope of Redemption Though the Old Testament exposes toil’s pain, it anticipates relief. The Sabbath principle, Israel’s rest in the land, and prophetic glimpses of restored joy culminate in Jesus Christ’s invitation: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). In Him, the promise of Revelation 21:4—“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain”—addresses the very essence of עֶצֶב. Ministry and Discipleship Applications • Encourage believers to view their labors through the lens of redemptive purpose. Honest work, when offered to the Lord, participates in reversing futility (Colossians 3:23–24). Conclusion עֶצֶב traces the arc from Eden’s curse to the promise of eternal rest. By exposing the limits of self-reliant toil and the depth of sin’s sorrow, Scripture urges every reader to seek the blessing that eliminates pain—found solely in the Lord’s gracious provision and consummated in the resurrection life to come. Forms and Transliterations בְּעֶ֖צֶב בעצב הַעֶ֨צֶב הָעֲצָבִ֑ים העצב העצבים וַ֝עֲצָבֶ֗יךָ ועצביך עֶ֝֗צֶב עֶ֣צֶב עֶ֭צֶב עצב ‘e·ṣeḇ ‘eṣeḇ bə‘eṣeḇ bə·‘e·ṣeḇ beEtzev Etzev hā‘ăṣāḇîm ha‘eṣeḇ hā·‘ă·ṣā·ḇîm ha·‘e·ṣeḇ haatzaVim haEtzev vaatzaVeicha wa‘ăṣāḇeḵā wa·‘ă·ṣā·ḇe·ḵāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 3:16 HEB: עִצְּבוֹנֵ֣ךְ וְהֵֽרֹנֵ֔ךְ בְּעֶ֖צֶב תֵּֽלְדִ֣י בָנִ֑ים NAS: in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth KJV: and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth INT: your pain childbirth pain will bring children Psalm 127:2 Proverbs 5:10 Proverbs 10:22 Proverbs 14:23 Proverbs 15:1 Jeremiah 22:28 7 Occurrences |
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