la´bẽr ( יגיע , yeghı̄a‛ , עמל , ‛amāl ; κόπος , kópos ): The word (noun and verb) denoting hard work or "toil" (thus in the Revised Version (British and American) of Deuteronomy 26:7; Joshua 7:3; Revelation 2:2 ) represents several Hebrew and Greek words, chiefly those above. Occasionally, as in Habakkuk 3:17 ( ma‛ăsēh ), it stands for "fruit of labor." Sometimes, in conjunction with "travail," it refers to childbirth (Genesis 35:16 , Genesis 35:17 , yāladh ; compare 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8 ). Examples of the word in the ordinary sense are: of yeghı̄a‛ , Genesis 31:42; Job 39:11 , Job 39:16; Psalm 128:2; of ‛amāl , common in Ecclesiastes 1:3 , Ecclesiastes 1:8; Ecclesiastes 2:10 , Ecclesiastes 2:11 , Ecclesiastes 2:18 , etc.; of kopos , 1 Corinthians 15:58 ("your labor is not vain," etc.); 1 Thessalonians 1:3 ("work of faith and labor of love"; compare Hebrews 6:10 ); 1 Timothy 5:17 ("labor in the word and in teaching"). See WORK; SLAVERY .
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
Read More