The Hebrew word ʻăbuddâh, represented by H5657, is defined as service, household, or store of servants, deriving from a root meaning "something wrought." It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, where it specifically denotes a large staff as a component of wealth.
In its biblical appearances, H5657 is used to quantify the immense wealth of patriarchs. In the case of Job, his substance included a "very great household" Job 1:3, listed alongside his thousands of sheep, camels, and oxen. This collection of assets established him as "the greatest of all the men of the east." Similarly, Isaac's prosperity included a "great store of servants" Genesis 26:14, which, along with his flocks and herds, was so significant that it caused the Philistines to envy him.
Several related words appear alongside H5657 to provide a fuller picture of patriarchal wealth:
- H7227 rab (abundant; great; many): This word directly modifies H5657 in both of its occurrences, describing the household as "very great" Job 1:3 and the store of servants as "great" Genesis 26:14.
- H4735 miqneh (property, but only livestock; cattle, flock, herd, possession): This term refers to the livestock assets that, along with the household H5657, constitute a person's total wealth. It appears as "substance" in Job's account Job 1:3 and "possession" in Isaac's Genesis 26:14.
- H1241 bâqâr (beef cattle or an animal of the ox family; a herd): This word specifies a key type of livestock wealth mentioned in conjunction with the household H5657. It is translated as "oxen" for Job Job 1:3 and "herds" for Isaac Genesis 26:14.
The use of H5657 highlights several key concepts regarding wealth and status in the Old Testament.
- A Measure of Greatness: A large household or store of servants was a primary indicator of immense wealth and standing. It is listed as a key asset that contributed to Job being called "the greatest of all the men of the east" Job 1:3.
- Tangible Form of Substance: H5657 is presented as a concrete component of a person's "substance" (H4735) or "possession" (H4735), alongside livestock like flocks and herds (Genesis 26:14, Job 1:3).
- A Source of Influence and Envy: The size of a person's workforce was a visible display of power. In the case of Isaac, his "great store of servants" was a direct cause for the Philistines' envy Genesis 26:14, demonstrating its social impact.
In summary, ʻăbuddâh H5657 is a specific and concrete term for a large household or workforce. Though it appears only twice, its usage is consistent and significant. It functions as a key metric for patriarchal wealth, listed alongside livestock and possessions to define the substance of powerful men like Job and Isaac. The presence of a great store of servants Genesis 26:14 was a definitive sign of prosperity and influence, establishing a person's high status in their society.
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