עֲבֻדָּה
something wrought, i.e. (concretely) service
Definition
The Hebrew noun עֲבֻדָּה refers to a group of people or things that have been acquired or assembled through work or service. Its core meaning is 'something wrought' or 'a body of servants.' In Genesis 26:14, it describes Isaac's large 'household' of servants, indicating his wealth and status. In Job 1:3, it is used for Job's 'store of servants,' again signifying his immense possessions and the labor force that maintained them. The word consistently points to a tangible collection of people or resources resulting from acquisition and management.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in narrative contexts describing the wealth of a patriarch. In Genesis 26:14, it details Isaac's prosperity after he re-digs his father's wells. In Job 1:3, it is part of the inventory of Job's great possessions, listed alongside his livestock. In both cases, the word specifies the human capital—the body of servants—that was a primary component of ancient wealth and social standing.
Etymology
The noun עֲבֻדָּה is derived from the passive participle of the root עָבַד (ʿābad, H5647), which means 'to work, serve, or cultivate.' This root is the source for common words like 'servant' (עֶבֶד, ʿeved) and 'service' or 'labor' (עֲבֹדָה, ʿăḇōdâ). עֲבֻדָּה specifically carries a sense of something that has been 'worked for' or 'acquired through service,' hence a gathered possession, particularly of people.
Semantic Range
While not a central theological term, this word enriches our understanding of biblical concepts of blessing, stewardship, and social structure. The 'household' or 'store of servants' (עֲבֻדָּה) was a direct measure of God's material blessing upon figures like Isaac and Job (before his testing). It underscores that prosperity in the patriarchal narratives was not merely about land or animals but included responsibility for a large community of dependents. This frames wealth as a trust from God that entails management and care for others.
In the ancient Near East, a large household of servants was a primary indicator of wealth, power, and social stability, far more than just money or land. These servants were not merely employees but were integral members of the household unit, contributing to its economic production and defense. Possessing a great עֲבֻדָּה, as Isaac and Job did, meant one was a person of significant influence and covenant blessing, responsible for the welfare of many.
עֶבֶד (ʿeved, H5650) — a single servant or slave, whereas עֲבֻדָּה is the collective body. עֲבֹדָה (ʿăḇōdâ, H5656) — the act of service, labor, or work, not the group of people performing it.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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