Did you know that work and worship are equivalent according to the Bible? Most people do not. The Western mindset assumes that the word ‘âbad is only associated with work or service. But the Hebrew mindset sees ‘âbad as having far more extensive meanings!
The Hebrew word, ‘âbad [עָבַד H5647] is used over 290 times in scripture. It is translated: to do service, to serve, till, work, or labor. It can mean bondage, a burden, or to produce. However, it is also translated: to worship! The Newer Covenant scriptures uses at least eleven different Greek words for ‘âbad.
The Word ‘Âbad Definitions
The word ‘âbad [עָבַד H5647] means: to work, to serve. It is pronounced ä·vad’. Below are the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew defintions:
• (Qal)
◦ to labor, work, do work
◦ to work for another, serve another by labor
◦ to serve as subjects
◦ to serve (God)
◦ to serve (with Levitical service)
• (Niphal)
◦ to be worked, be tilled (of land)
◦ to make oneself a servant
• (Pual)
◦ to be worked
• (Hiphil)
◦ to compel to labor or work, cause to labor, cause to serve
◦ to cause to serve as subjects
• (Hophal)
◦ to be led or enticed to serve
Burdens and Bondage – All We Have Is ‘Âbad
Both held and bondage are the Hebrew word ‘âbad, as are the words enslaved, laborers, and burdened.
Exodus 6:5 tells us that the Hebrews were being “held in bondage” by the Egyptians.
Isaiah 14:3 and Ezekial 34:27 tell us that the Hebrews “have been enslaved.”
Joshua 16:10 tells us the Hebrews “became forced laborers.”
Isaiah 43:23-24 tells us that Yahweh has not “burdened us with offerings”, but we “have burdened him with our sins”!
Tilling and Cultivating – All We Do Is ‘Âbad
Cultivate, cultivated, tiller, and tills are also the Hebrew word ‘âbad.
Genesis 2:15 – “Then the Yahweh took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”
Genesis 4:2 – “Cain was a tiller of the ground.”
Deuteronomy 28:39 – “You shall plant and cultivate vineyards.”
2 Samuel 9:10 – “You and your sons and your servants shall cultivate the land.”
Ezekiel 36:9 tells us that desolate lands and even people “will be cultivated.”
Proverbs 28:19 tells us that a person who “tills the land will have plenty of food”.
Work, Work, Work – All We Do Is ‘Âbad
Work, perform, performed, imposed, and to do are also all the Hebrew word ‘âbad.
Exodus 20:9 and Exodus 34:21 – “You will work six days” and “perform the service of Yahweh” (Joshua 22:27). The Hebrews were to “labor rigorously” with the labors which were “rigorously imposed upon them”! Nebuchadnezzar’s army received no wages from Tyre for the labor that they performed against it (Ezekiel 29:18), but instead received the land of Egypt for the labor which he performed (Ezekiel 29:20). Aaron and the Levites were “to do” the service of the Tabernacle (Numbers 3:7-8), and “to do the work of service” (Numbers 4:47). Numbers 8:11 and 8:25 also uses the words perform and work. Deuteronomy 15:19 tells us, however, the we will not “work with the firstborn”!
Worship– We Happily and Thankfully ‘Âbad
Worship, worshippers, and manufacturers are also all the Hebrew word ‘âbad.
Isaiah 19:9-23 tells us that the “manufacturers of linen” will be dejected, but that they will “worship with sacrifice and offering” and the “Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.”
The “prophets of Baal and all Baal’s worshippers” were summoned by Jehu and then killed (2 Kings 10:19-22).
More importantly, throughout the scriptures we are commanded to worship/ Yahweh (Exodus 3:12, Exodus 12:31, Deuteronomy 6:13, Psalm 2:11, etc.)
Conclusions
Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart as one who is serving Yahweh himself, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from him. Remember, you are a slave of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach.”
Many with a Western mindset believe that work and worship are separate concepts that have little to nothing in common. We work all six days during the week, then worship on a day of rest.
The Hebrew mindset, however, sees no disconnect between work and worship – they are the same concept. Paul states it very succinctly in Colossians 3:23-24, tying in our work [‘âbad] and serving as part of our enslavement [‘âbad] to Yeshua!
Originally Posted in March 2019 – Work and Worship
Final Thought for 2024
Time is short – Yeshua Ha’Mashiach is coming soon. So, what are we to do while we wait for our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, to appear?
Watch And Be Ready: Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:33; Luke 12:40, 21:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:6
Pray And Be Ready: Luke 12:40, 21:36; Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:33; 1 Thessalonians 5:6
Purify Oneself: 1 John 3:2-3
Abide In Yeshua: 1 John 2:27-28, 3:2, 4:13-16; Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:11; Mark 8:38
Look For His Coming: Hebrews 9:28;Acts 1:11; Titus 2:11-13; Isaiah 25:9
Rapture Parallels, Patterns, Pictures, and Types 