Original Word: עֲבָד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `abad
Pronunciation: ah-vad'
Phonetic Spelling: (ab-awd')
KJV: work
NASB: deeds
Word Origin: [from H5647 (עָבַד - serve)]

1. a deed

work

From abad; a deed -- work.

see HEBREW abad

Word Origin
from abad
Definition
a work
NASB Translation
deeds (1).

[עֲבָד] noun masculine work (late; Aramaic form); plural suffix עֲבָדֵיהֶם Ecclesiastes 9:1 (compare Syriac ).

Definition and Context

The term refers to the “works,” “services,” or “acts” performed by a person. It occurs once in the Old Testament, within a verse that weighs the mystery of human effort against God’s sovereign governance.

Biblical Usage in Ecclesiastes 9:1

“So I took all this to heart and concluded that the righteous and the wise, along with their deeds, are in the hand of God” (Ecclesiastes 9:1).

The writer of Ecclesiastes groups together (1) the moral standing of the righteous, (2) the insight of the wise, and (3) the deeds themselves, showing that even the most exemplary actions are ultimately subject to God’s control. By placing human activity in God’s hand, the verse denies any notion that outcomes are determined solely by human skill, diligence, or virtue.

Theology of Human Service and Divine Sovereignty

1. Human deeds have genuine value (Proverbs 12:14; Revelation 14:13).
2. Nevertheless, every outcome rests with God (Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13-15).
3. Because God holds both the worker and the work, He alone assigns eternal significance (1 Corinthians 3:13-14).

Thus Ecclesiastes 9:1 balances diligent labor (Ecclesiastes 9:10) with humble trust.

Relationship to Wisdom Literature

Wisdom texts frequently join work to character (Proverbs 10:16; 11:18). Ecclesiastes moves beyond cause-and-effect pragmatism and confronts apparent inconsistencies in life. By including “their deeds” in the list of what lies entirely in God’s hand, the Teacher underscores the bedrock principle of Yahweh’s governance that unifies Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes.

Implications for Ministry

• Motivation: Service should arise from devotion, not from a desire to secure predictable earthly results (Colossians 3:23-24).
• Stewardship: Ministries are entrusted, not owned. God governs the fruit (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
• Assurance: Because the works of the righteous and wise are in His hand, labor done in the Lord is never wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58).
• Accountability: God keeps the record and will reward accordingly (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Practical Application

• Plan diligently, yet submit outcomes to God.
• Measure success by faithfulness rather than visible results.
• Cultivate humility; even the best-planned ministry may unfold differently under God’s sovereign direction.
• Find comfort: unknown future blessings or adversities do not escape His hand.

Related Passages

Proverbs 16:3; Isaiah 26:12; Matthew 25:21; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 6:10; Revelation 2:23.

וַעֲבָדֵיהֶ֖ם ועבדיהם vaavadeiHem wa‘ăḇāḏêhem wa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏê·hemInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts