In the biblical context, the concept of occupation encompasses various forms of work, labor, and vocational calling that individuals engage in as part of their daily lives. The Bible presents occupation as an integral aspect of human existence, reflecting both divine purpose and human responsibility.

Creation and Work

The foundation for understanding occupation in the Bible begins with the creation narrative. In Genesis, God Himself is depicted as a worker, creating the heavens and the earth. After creating man, God places Adam in the Garden of Eden to "work it and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15). This establishes work as a divine ordinance, intended for the stewardship and cultivation of creation.

Dignity of Labor

The Bible affirms the dignity of labor and the value of work. In Ecclesiastes, it is written, "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God" (Ecclesiastes 2:24). Work is portrayed as a source of satisfaction and fulfillment, a gift from God that provides for human needs and contributes to the common good.

Variety of Occupations

Scripture records a wide variety of occupations, reflecting the diverse talents and roles within society. These include shepherds (Genesis 4:2), farmers (Genesis 9:20), craftsmen (Exodus 31:3-5), merchants (Proverbs 31:24), and fishermen (Matthew 4:18-19). Each occupation is seen as a legitimate and honorable means of serving God and others.

Work and Rest

The Bible also emphasizes the importance of rest in conjunction with work. The Sabbath commandment instructs, "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God" (Exodus 20:9-10). This rhythm of work and rest underscores the need for balance and the recognition of God's sovereignty over time and labor.

Work as Service

In the New Testament, work is further elevated as a form of service to God and neighbor. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23). This perspective transforms occupation into an act of worship, where even the most mundane tasks are performed with excellence and integrity as unto the Lord.

Warnings Against Idleness

The Bible warns against idleness and laziness, which are seen as contrary to God's design for human productivity. Proverbs states, "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit" (Proverbs 24:33-34). The New Testament echoes this sentiment, with Paul admonishing, "If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Eternal Perspective

While the Bible values earthly occupations, it also encourages believers to maintain an eternal perspective. Jesus teaches, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19). This reminds Christians that their ultimate purpose transcends temporal work, pointing towards eternal rewards and the kingdom of God.

In summary, the biblical view of occupation encompasses a holistic understanding of work as a divine calling, a means of provision, and a form of service, all while maintaining a balance with rest and an eternal perspective.1. (n.) The act or process of occupying or taking possession; actual possession and control; the state of being occupied; a holding or keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands by a tenant.

2. (n.) That which occupies or engages the time and attention; the principal business of one's life; vocation; employment; calling; trade.

5078. techne -- art, craft, trade
... art, craft, occupation. From the base of tikto; art (as productive), ie (specially),
a trade, or (generally) skill -- art, craft, occupation. see GREEK tikto. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5078.htm - 6k

4230. pragmateia -- careful application, hard work
... work. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pragmateia Phonetic Spelling:
(prag-mat-i'-ah) Short Definition: a business, an occupation Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4230.htm - 6k

2038. ergazomai -- to search, examine.
... commit, do, labor for, minister about Middle voice from ergon; to toil (as a task,
occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2038.htm - 8k

2041. ergon -- work
... deed, doing, labor, work. From a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as
an effort or occupation); by implication, an act -- deed, doing, labour, work. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2041.htm - 7k

5540. chresis -- use (as in a sexual sense)
... use. From chraomai; employment, ie (specially), sexual intercourse (as an occupation
of the body) -- use. see GREEK chraomai. (chresin) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5540.htm - 6k

2039. ergasia -- work (noun)
... craft, diligence, gain, work. From ergates; occupation; by implication, profit,
pains -- craft, diligence, gain, work. see GREEK ergates. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2039.htm - 6k

4399. melakah -- occupation, work
... 4398, 4399. melakah. 4400 . occupation, work. Transliteration: melakah
Phonetic Spelling: (mel-aw-kaw') Short Definition: work. ...
/hebrew/4399.htm - 6k

6045. inyan -- occupation, task
... 6044, 6045. inyan. 6046 . occupation, task. Transliteration: inyan Phonetic
Spelling: (in-yawn') Short Definition: task. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6045.htm - 6k

4639. maaseh -- a deed, work
... conduct (1), deed (4), deeds (17), design (4), did (1), does (1), done (1), eventful
(1), goods (2), just* (1), labors (2), made (2), occupation (2), practices ...
/hebrew/4639.htm - 6k

That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within ...
... That the ruler relax not his care for the things that are within in his occupation
among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter vii that the ruler.htm

The Demiurge Works Away at Creation, as the Drudge of his Mother ...
... Chapter XX"The Demiurge Works Away at Creation, as the Drudge of His Mother Achamoth,
in Ignorance All the While of the Nature of His Occupation. ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xxthe demiurge works away.htm

Of Philosophy, and How Vain was Its Occupation in Setting Forth ...
... the divine institutes Book III. Of the False Wisdom of Philosophers. Chap. II."Of
Philosophy, and How Vain Was Its Occupation in Setting Forth the Truth. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ii of philosophy and how.htm

The Personal History of Callistus; his Occupation as a Banker ...
... Chapter VII."The Personal History of Callistus; His Occupation as a Banker; Fraud
on Carpophorus; Callistus Absconds; Attempted Suicide; Condemned to the ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter vii the personal history of.htm

That for the Most Part the Occupation of Government Dissipates the ...
... OF ROME, Chapter IV. That for the most part the occupation of government
dissipates the solidity of the mind. Often the care of ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter iv that for the.htm

The Choice of Pursuits.
... Life demands that each of us, in obedience to the law of self-preservation and of
our relations to human society, prepare for some useful occupation, not only ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xxi the choice of.htm

The Key-Note of a Choice Sonnet
... to the Lord to help you to do so; for as long as a man cannot magnify God he is
not fit for heaven, where the praises of God are the eternal occupation of all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the key-note of a choice.htm

Thought, Deed, Word
... The command requires of us a habitual occupation of mind with the great
deliverance. And the habitual presence of this thought will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/thought deed word.htm

Melancholy.
... As they are naturally given to manual occupation habit begets with them an antipathy
to mental labor; their judgment is readily but erroneously convinced by ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xx melancholy.htm

Doing Glory to God in Pursuits of the World.
... Altogether he looks upon his worldly occupation simply as a burden and a cross,
and considers it all gain to be able to throw it off; and the sooner he can ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xi doing glory to.htm

Occupation (9 Occurrences)
... of occupying or taking possession; actual possession and control; the state of being
occupied; a holding or keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands ...
/o/occupation.htm - 9k

Trade (33 Occurrences)
... travel; resort. 2. (v.) Course; custom; practice; occupation; employment. 3.
(v ... lawyer, or a physician. 6. (v.) Instruments of any occupation. ...
/t/trade.htm - 40k

Craft (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Art or skill; dexterity in particular manual employment; hence,
the occupation or employment itself; manual art; a trade. ...
/c/craft.htm - 12k

Business (147 Occurrences)
... attention, or labor of any one, as his principal concern or interest, whether for
a longer or shorter time; constant employment; regular occupation; as, the ...
/b/business.htm - 42k

City
... THE CITY OF THE JEWISH OCCUPATION 1. Tower or Stronghold 2. High Place 3. Broad
Place 4. Streets 5. General Characteristics III. STORE CITIES IV. ...
/c/city.htm - 43k

Income (7 Occurrences)
... or capital of any kind, as the produce of a farm, the rent of houses, the proceeds
of professional business, the profits of commerce or of occupation, or the ...
/i/income.htm - 9k

Tanner (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whose occupation is to tan hides, or convert
them into leather by the use of tan. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TANNER. ...
/t/tanner.htm - 11k

Profession (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A calling or occupation for which one professes knowledge; the occupation,
if not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one devotes one's self ...
/p/profession.htm - 11k

Artificer (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A person engaged in any kind of manual occupation
(Genesis 4:22; Isaiah 3:3). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/a/artificer.htm - 11k

Art (3201 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The systematic application of knowledge or skill in effecting a desired
result. Also, an occupation or business requiring such knowledge or skill. ...
/a/art.htm - 8k

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