Original Word: עָמֵל
Part of Speech: noun masculine
Transliteration: `amel
Pronunciation: ah-MALE
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-male')
Definition: Labor, toil, trouble, hardship
Meaning: toiling, a laborer, sorrowful

that labors, that is a misery, had taken labor, wicked, workman

From amal; toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful -- that laboureth, that is a misery, had taken (labour), wicked, workman.

see HEBREW amal

I. עָמֵל noun masculine^{Proverbs 16:26} labourer, sufferer; — ׳ע Proverbs 16:26 2t.; plural עֲמֵלִים Judges 5:26; —

1 labourer, workman: Judges 5:26; Proverbs 16:26.

2 sufferer, Job 3:20 ("" מָרֵי נֶפֶשׁ), Job 20:22.

Word Origin: Derived from the root עָמַל (ʿāmal), which conveys the idea of laboring or toiling.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G4088: πιέζω (piezo) • This Greek term can mean to press or oppress, often used metaphorically to describe the pressure or burden of labor.
• G4192: πόνος (ponos) • This Greek word refers to toil, labor, or pain, capturing the essence of hardship and suffering associated with work.

The concept of עָמֵל (ʿāmēl) in the Hebrew Bible serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and often transient nature of human labor, encouraging reflection on the ultimate purpose and value of one's efforts in light of divine wisdom and eternal perspective.

Usage: The word עָמֵל is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe individuals who are engaged in laborious work or who are experiencing the burdens and sorrows associated with toil. It often highlights the strenuous and sometimes futile nature of human effort.

Context: • The term עָמֵל appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, often emphasizing the burdensome and wearisome aspects of human labor. It is used to describe the plight of those who work hard yet find little satisfaction or reward in their efforts.
• In Ecclesiastes, the word is frequently employed to illustrate the vanity and fleeting nature of human endeavors. For example, Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 (BSB) states, "I hated all the work at which I toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is futile."
• The term also appears in Job, where it underscores the suffering and hardship experienced by Job and others who endure great toil and sorrow. Job 3:20 (BSB) reflects this sentiment: "Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul?"
• The use of עָמֵל in the Psalms often conveys a sense of lament over the struggles and injustices faced by the righteous, as seen in Psalm 73:16 (BSB): "When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight."

לְעָמֵ֣ל לעמל עֲמֵלִ֑ים עָ֭מֵל עָמֵ֖ל עָמֵ֗ל עָמֵ֣ל עָמֵֽל׃ עמל עמל׃ עמלים ‘ă·mê·lîm ‘ā·mêl ‘āmêl ‘ămêlîm aMel ameLim lə‘āmêl lə·‘ā·mêl leaMelInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts