The Hebrew word ʻâmal, represented by H5998, is a primitive root that means to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness. Appearing 11 times in 11 unique verses, this term specifically denotes a strenuous, burdensome, and often wearisome form of labor, capturing the essence of exhausting effort.
In biblical usage, H5998 is central to exploring the value and futility of human exertion, particularly in the book of Ecclesiastes. The word is frequently tied to the concept of toiling "under the sun," a phrase that frames labor within an earthly, and often limited, perspective. This is seen in the recurring question of what lasting profit a person gains from their efforts Ecclesiastes 1:3. The labor itself can be declared "vanity" when assessed by its tangible outcomes Ecclesiastes 2:11. The scope of this toil is not merely physical; a wise man can labour H5998 to understand God's work and still not find it Ecclesiastes 8:17. A crucial theological point is made in Psalms 127:1, which states that unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour H5998 in vain.
Several related words provide a fuller picture of this concept of toil:
- H5999 ʻâmâl (toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry...): This noun is the direct product of the verb H5998. The terms are used together to intensify the meaning, as seen in the phrase "on the labour H5999 that I had laboured H5998 to do" Ecclesiastes 2:11.
- H6001 ʻâmêl (toiling; concretely, a laborer...): This word identifies the one who performs the toil. It links the person directly to their work, as in, "He that laboureth H6001 laboureth H5998 for himself" Proverbs 16:26.
- H3504 yithrôwn (preeminence, gain; better, excellency(-leth), profit(-able)): This term is consistently used with H5998 in Ecclesiastes to question the ultimate benefit derived from strenuous work, asking what profit H3504 one has from all their labor (Ecclesiastes 1:3, 5:16).
- H1129 bânâh (to build): This verb is set in parallel to H5998 in Psalms 127:1, highlighting that even constructive acts like building are considered vain labor unless undertaken with the LORD's involvement.
The theological weight of H5998 is significant, raising fundamental questions about work, reward, and divine sovereignty.
- The Futility of Toil Apart from God: The clearest expression of this theme is in Psalms 127:1. Any effort, whether to build H1129 a house or keep H8104 a city, is rendered pointless without God's blessing and participation. This establishes that human work does not have inherent, lasting value on its own.
- The Problem of Earthly Legacy: Ecclesiastes uses H5998 to explore the enigma of reward. A person might labour wisely, only to leave the fruits of that labor to someone who has not toiled at all, a reality deemed "vanity and a great evil" (Ecclesiastes 2:21, Ecclesiastes 2:19).
- Divine Sovereignty over Human Effort: The word emphasizes the limits of human endeavor. In Jonah 4:10, God points out that Jonah had pity on a gourd for which he did "not laboured," contrasting human attachment with God's sovereign creative power. Similarly, human wisdom cannot grasp divine work, even if a man labours H5998 diligently to seek it out Ecclesiastes 8:17.
In summary, ʻâmal H5998 is far more than a simple word for work. It conveys a deep sense of severe and wearisome toil, often laden with philosophical questions about its purpose and value. Heavily featured in Ecclesiastes, it drives an exploration into the nature of human effort "under the sun" and its potential for vanity. Ultimately, the word serves to reinforce a core biblical principle: that human labor, however arduous, finds its true meaning, profit, and success only when it is aligned with the sovereign purpose and blessing of God.
TRV