from עָמַל; toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful; that laboureth, that is a misery, had taken (labour), wicked, workman.
Transliteration:ʻâmêl
Pronunciation:aw-male'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term ʻâmêl (`{{H6001}}`) is derived from the root עָמַל (`{{H5998}}`), which fundamentally signifies "toil," "labor," "trouble," or "misery." As a participle or adjective, ʻâmêl describes one who is engaged in such activity or characterized by its effects. Its semantic range is notably broad, encompassing:
1. **Concretely:** "One who labors," a "workman," or "laborer," emphasizing the physical exertion and effort involved in work.
2. **Figuratively (Experiential):** "Sorrowful," "miserable," or "afflicted," highlighting the emotional and existential burden often associated with toil and suffering. This aspect points to the outcome or experience of arduous effort.
3. **Figuratively (Moral):** "Wicked" or "mischievous," particularly when referring to labor or effort expended for evil purposes, or the resulting harm and distress inflicted upon others. This usage connects the act of labor with its moral quality and consequences.
Thus, ʻâmêl captures the multifaceted reality of human effort, from diligent work to burdensome affliction and even malevolent plotting.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of ʻâmêl (`{{H6001}}`) in the Hebrew Bible illustrate its diverse applications:
* **Labor and Toil:** In the book of Ecclesiastes, ʻâmêl frequently describes the strenuous effort of human endeavor, often with a sense of its ultimate futility or vanity "under the sun." For example, [[Ecclesiastes 2:18]] speaks of "my labour which I had taken under the sun," and [[Ecclesiastes 3:9]] asks, "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?" Similarly, [[Proverbs 16:26]] states, "He that laboureth laboureth for himself," highlighting self-interested effort. [[Jeremiah 20:18]] laments, "Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow?" connecting ʻâmêl directly with suffering.
* **Sorrow and Affliction:** The term also conveys a state of distress or misery. [[Psalm 25:18]] pleads, "Look upon mine affliction and my pain," where "pain" is ʻâmêl, denoting deep personal suffering. In [[Psalm 107:12]], it describes how God "brought down their heart with labour," signifying the oppressive burden of their state. [[Habakkuk 3:7]] mentions "the tents of Cushan in affliction," referring to a state of distress.
* **Mischief and Wickedness:** Less frequently, but significantly, ʻâmêl can denote the active pursuit of evil or the trouble caused by the wicked. [[Psalm 7:16]] declares, "His mischief shall return upon his own head," where "mischief" refers to the malevolent labor or trouble caused by the wicked. Likewise, [[Psalm 10:14]] notes God's observation of "mischief and spite," indicating the harmful actions of the ungodly.
Across these contexts, ʻâmêl consistently points to an expenditure of energy, whether physical or mental, that often results in weariness, sorrow, or negative consequences, underscoring the inherent difficulties of life in a fallen world.
### Related Words & Concepts
ʻâmêl (`{{H6001}}`) is intimately connected to its root and other semantically overlapping terms:
* **עָמַל (`{{H5998}}`):** The verbal root from which ʻâmêl is derived, meaning "to toil," "to labor," "to be troubled," or "to suffer." This direct etymological link underscores the fundamental sense of arduous effort.
* **עָמָל (`{{H5999}}`):** The noun form, meaning "toil," "labor," "trouble," "suffering," or "mischief." This noun often describes the *product* or *result* of the action denoted by ʻâmêl and ʻâmâl. For instance, the "labor" (`{{H5999}}`) of one who "laboureth" (`{{H6001}}`).
* **מְלָאכָה (`{{H4399}}`):** This noun refers to "work," "occupation," or "business," often in a more neutral or positive sense of productive activity, contrasting with the often burdensome or negative connotations of ʻâmêl.
* **צָרָה (`{{H6869}}`):** Meaning "distress," "trouble," or "affliction," this word shares the conceptual space of suffering with ʻâmêl but focuses more on the state of being distressed rather than the effort that might lead to it.
* **יָגַע (`{{H3021}}`):** A verb meaning "to be weary," "to toil," or "to grow tired." This word emphasizes the exhaustion that often accompanies ʻâmêl.
The concept of human toil and its consequences, particularly the curse on the ground after the Fall in [[Genesis 3:17-19]], forms a crucial theological backdrop for understanding ʻâmêl.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻâmêl (`{{H6001}}`) is profound, touching upon the human condition, divine justice, and the nature of wisdom:
* **The Human Condition and the Fall:** ʻâmêl vividly portrays the reality of human existence post-Fall, characterized by burdensome labor and inherent suffering. It reflects the divine decree in [[Genesis 3:17-19]] that humanity would toil by the sweat of its brow, and that the ground would yield its produce with "painful toil" (עִצָּבוֹן, 'itsabon). ʻâmêl thus becomes an experiential descriptor of this cursed reality.
* **Vanity of Earthly Endeavor:** In Ecclesiastes, ʻâmêl underscores the Teacher's pervasive theme of vanity. Human labor, when pursued as an end in itself or apart from God, is depicted as ultimately unsatisfying and ephemeral, leading to weariness and sorrow rather than lasting fulfillment. The "profit" of such labor is questioned ([[Ecclesiastes 3:9]]), highlighting the existential emptiness it can produce.
* **Divine Justice and Retribution:** When ʻâmêl describes "mischief" or "wickedness," it points to the active, malevolent efforts of the ungodly. The Psalms, in particular, reveal that such labor will not go unpunished, and indeed, the "mischief" that the wicked ʻâmêl will ultimately return upon their own heads ([[Psalm 7:16]]). This demonstrates God's righteous judgment against those who labor for evil.
* **Suffering of the Righteous:** The term also acknowledges the legitimate suffering and affliction experienced by the righteous. The psalmist's plea in [[Psalm 25:18]] for God to "look upon mine affliction and my pain" (where "pain" is ʻâmêl) invites divine compassion and intervention, underscoring God's attentiveness to the distress of His people.
Ultimately, ʻâmêl serves as a stark reminder of the inherent difficulties and moral complexities of human effort within a fallen world, pointing to the need for divine wisdom and redemption that transcends mere earthly toil.
### Summary
The Hebrew word ʻâmêl (`{{H6001}}`), derived from the root עָמַל (`{{H5998}}`), is a multifaceted term that encapsulates the essence of human effort and its consequences. It describes one who is "toiling" or "laboring," whether in a literal sense as a "workman," or metaphorically as one who is "sorrowful" or "afflicted." In certain contexts, it can even denote "wickedness" or "mischief," referring to effort expended for malevolent purposes. Its usage across the Old Testament, particularly in Ecclesiastes and the Psalms, highlights the universal experience of burdensome toil, the vanity of human endeavors apart from God, the reality of suffering, and the eventual recompense for those who labor in wickedness. ʻâmêl thus offers a poignant reflection on the human condition, emphasizing the pervasive nature of arduous effort and its often-painful outcomes in a world touched by the Fall, while simultaneously affirming the principles of divine justice and compassion.
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