Labor
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Labor in the Bible?
The concept of labor signifies strenuous effort or toil, encompassing Hebrew and Greek terms that describe agricultural work, skilled craftsmanship, and the physical pains associated with childbirth.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding labor clarifies the biblical narrative of human responsibility, the consequences of the Fall, and the dignity of work as a means of provision and stewardship.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Labor. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Labor in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Labor clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Labor." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/labor/