### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʻitstsâbôwn**, represented by `{{H6093}}`, means **worrisomeness, i.e. labor or pain; sorrow, toil**. Though it appears only **3 times** in 3 unique verses, its placement in scripture gives it significant weight, defining a core aspect of the human condition after the fall.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H6093}}` is introduced in Genesis as a direct consequence of disobedience. For the woman, God multiplies her **sorrow** in conception and childbirth [[Genesis 3:16]]. For Adam, because he hearkened to his wife and ate from the forbidden tree, the ground is cursed, and he is condemned to eat from it in **sorrow** for all the days of his life [[Genesis 3:17]]. The final appearance of the word connects back to this curse, when Noah is named with the hope that he will provide comfort from the **toil** of working the ground which the LORD cursed [[Genesis 5:29]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the scope of `{{H6093}}`:
* `{{H6089}}` **ʻetseb** (sorrow): From the same root, this word is used in parallel with `{{H6093}}` to describe the pain of bringing forth children, emphasizing the grievous nature of this sorrow [[Genesis 3:16]].
* `{{H127}}` **ʼădâmâh** (ground): This is the soil that is cursed for Adam's sake, establishing the source of the **sorrow** and toil he must endure to gain sustenance ([[Genesis 3:17]], [[Genesis 5:29]]).
* `{{H4639}}` **maʻăseh** (work): This word is used alongside **toil** `{{H6093}}` to describe the labor of hands from which Noah was prophesied to bring comfort [[Genesis 5:29]].
* `{{H5162}}` **nâcham** (comfort): This word signifies the desired relief from the **toil** `{{H6093}}`. The naming of Noah introduces a hope for comfort from the very struggle instituted in Genesis 3 [[Genesis 5:29]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H6093}}` establishes a foundational biblical narrative.
* **A Consequence of the Fall:** The appearance of **sorrow** and **toil** is directly tied to the curse following Adam and the woman's disobedience, fundamentally altering humanity's relationship with creation and life-giving processes ([[Genesis 3:16]], [[Genesis 3:17]]).
* **A Universal Experience:** This toil is applied to the core of human existence—childbirth for the woman and the labor for food for the man. It is a defining feature of life "all the days of thy life" [[Genesis 3:17]].
* **The Hope of Redemption:** The word's final usage is not one of despair but of hope. It frames the human condition as one awaiting **comfort** `{{H5162}}` from the curse, looking forward to a rest provided by the LORD `{{H3068}}` [[Genesis 5:29]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6093}}` is a pivotal term that defines the sorrowful toil resulting from sin. Though used sparingly, it appears at a crucial juncture in scripture to frame the hardship of human life after the fall, impacting both the bringing forth of new life and the sustaining of it. It sets a theological stage where humanity must labor under a curse while simultaneously looking toward a promised comfort.
TRV