The meaning of Labor in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

la'-ber (yeghia', 'amal; kopos): The word (noun and verb) denoting hard work or "toil" (thus in the Revised Version (British and American) of Deuteronomy 26:7; Joshua 7:3; Revelation 2:2) represents several Hebrew and Greek words, chiefly those above. Occasionally, as in Habakkuk 3:17 (ma'aseh), it stands for "fruit of labor." Sometimes, in conjunction with "travail," it refers to childbirth (Genesis 35:16-17, yaladh; compare I Thessalonians 2:9; II Thessalonians 3:8). Examples of the word in the ordinary sense are: of yeghia', Genesis 31:42; Job 39:11, Job 39:16; Psalms 128:2; of 'amal, common in Ecclesiastes 1:3, Ecclesiastes 1:8; Ecclesiastes 2:10-11, Ecclesiastes 2:18, etc.; of kopos, I Corinthians 15:58 ("your labor is not vain," etc.); I Thessalonians 1:3 ("work of faith and labor of love"; compare Hebrews 6:10); I Timothy 5:17 ("labor in the word and in teaching").

See WORK; SLAVERY.

James Orr

DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.