The Hebrew word pᵉʻullâh, represented by H6468, encapsulates the concepts of work, labour, reward, and wages. Derived from the root for "to work," this term appears 14 times in 14 unique verses. It carries a dual meaning, referring both to the action of working and the resulting compensation or consequence of that action.
In biblical usage, H6468 bridges the gap between physical labor and divine recompense. In a practical sense, it denotes the wages due to a hired worker, which are to be paid promptly Leviticus 19:13. The term is also used to describe the work or actions of humanity, both righteous and wicked. The labour of the righteous leads to life Proverbs 10:16, while the wicked produce a deceitful work Proverbs 11:18. Prophetically, it describes the coming of the Lord, who brings His reward with Him and whose work is before Him (Isaiah 40:10, Isaiah 62:11).
Several related words help clarify the scope of H6468:
- H7939 sâkâr (payment of contract... reward(-ed), wages, worth): This word is frequently paired with pᵉʻullâh to emphasize the idea of compensation. The promise that one's work will be rewarded often uses both terms for clarity and impact (2 Chronicles 15:7, Jeremiah 31:16).
- H4639 maʻăseh (an action (good or bad)... deed, do(-ing), labor... work): Often used in parallel with pᵉʻullâh, this term also refers to a deed or work. In Psalms 28:5, the wicked are condemned because they do not regard the works H6468 of the Lord, nor the operation H4639 of his hands.
- H3021 yâgaʻ (to be exhausted, to tire, to toil... labour): This verb describes the act of toiling itself. It is connected to H6468 in Isaiah 49:4, where the speaker laments having laboured H3021 in vain, yet trusts that his work H6468 is with God.
The theological weight of H6468 is significant, highlighting themes of justice and divine accounting.
- Principle of Just Recompense: The word underscores the biblical principle that actions have consequences. God directs the work of His people in truth Isaiah 61:8 and promises that their work will be rewarded Jeremiah 31:16. Conversely, the Lord will measure the former work of the disobedient into their bosom Isaiah 65:7.
- Economic and Social Justice: The command in Leviticus 19:13 not to withhold the wages H6468 of a hired person establishes a foundation for just labor practices, reflecting God's own character. Defrauding a laborer of their wages is a violation of this principle.
- God's Sovereign Work: H6468 is not limited to human activity. It also refers to God's own work, particularly His acts of salvation and judgment that He brings with Him Isaiah 40:10. To disregard the works H6468 of the Lord is a serious offense Psalms 28:5.
In summary, H6468 is a dynamic term that connects action to outcome. It moves fluidly between the concepts of a task performed, the wages earned, the moral quality of a deed, and the ultimate reward or judgment from God. It serves as a constant reminder that all work, whether human or divine, carries inherent value and will be met with a just and certain result.
TRV