What does עָבַד · δουλεύω mean in the Bible?
עָבַד · δουλεύω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to serve or be subjected to authority".
Hebrew · H5647, G1398
עָבַד
To work (in any sense); by implication, to serve , till , (causatively) enslave , etc. · to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
עָבַדH5647to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve , till , (causatively) enslave , etc.
Pronunciationʿābad
Service encompasses labor, slavery, and worship—a single Hebrew concept uniting human work with devotion to God.
Open lexicon entry →δουλεύωG1398to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)
Pronunciationdouleúō
Serve in submission to authority or power, whether involuntary bondage or willing allegiance.
Open lexicon entry →What does עָבַד (avad) mean in the Bible?
עָבַד · δουλεύω is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to serve or be subjected to authority".
Full entry for עָבַד (H5647, G1398) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H5647, G1398?
H5647, G1398 is connected to 289 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to serve or be subjected to authority
Source Gloss
to serve or be subjected to authority
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups4Aligned forms92
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense85×
ImperfectDeut 5:13 · Deut 6:13 · Deut 7:16 · Deut 10:20 · Deut 15:19 · Exod 20:9 · Exod 23:33 · Exod 34:21 · Gen 4:12 · Gen 27:40 · Gen 29:27 · Lev 25:39 · Exod 21:2 · Gen 25:23 · Jer 22:13 · Jer 27:1336×
Participle active1Kgs 9:21 · 2Kgs 10:19 · 2Kgs 10:21 · 2Kgs 10:22 · 2Kgs 10:23 · 2Kgs 17:33 · 2Kgs 17:41 · Gen 4:2 · Gen 49:15 · Isa 19:9 · Isa 30:24 · Josh 16:10 · Mal 3:18 · Num 18:21 · Prov 12:11 · Prov 28:1918×
Perfect1Sam 4:9 · Deut 12:2 · Exod 1:14 · Gen 14:4 · Jer 25:14 · Josh 24:14 · Josh 24:15 · 2Kgs 10:18 · 2Kgs 21:21 · Ezek 29:18 · Ezek 29:20 · 2Sam 16:19 · Gen 29:25 · Gen 30:26 · Gen 31:6 · Deut 28:4716×
Sequential imperfect2Chr 35:3 · Exod 5:18 · Exod 10:8 · Exod 10:24 · Exod 12:31 · Ezek 20:39 · Jer 27:17 · Judg 9:28 · Ps 2:11 · Ps 100:2 · 1Sam 26:1911×
Infinitive constructExod 14:12 · Jer 34:9 · Jer 34:10 · Mal 3:144×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject2×
PerfectDeut 21:3 · Isa 14:32×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action3×
ImperfectDeut 21:4 · Ezek 36:342×
PerfectEccl 5:81×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action2×
Participle activeExod 6:51×
PerfectEzek 29:181×
Word Origins
עָבַד is a primitive root - no further derivation.