עֲבִידָה (a.vi.dah)
a.vi.dah
service
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The noun avidah refers to work or service, specifically in the contexts of administration and ritual. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only six times, with a concentration in the books of Ezra and Daniel. This limited usage highlights its specific application to organized labor rather than general toil.
It often describes the administrative duties assigned to workers or the official service rendered to a king. For instance, in Daniel 4:12, it denotes the work performed by the branches of the great tree under the administration of Nebuchadnezzar. The term carries a sense of structured duty, whether it involves managing resources or performing religious rites.
The word bridges the gap between secular labor and sacred worship. In Ezra, it can refer to the service of the temple, linking physical effort with spiritual devotion. This dual nature shows that in ancient Israel, administrative order and ritual observance were seen as complementary forms of faithful service.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word avidah points to service that is structured, organized, and purposeful. It moves beyond casual help or sporadic effort to describe duties assigned with clarity and accountability. In ancient Israel, this term bridged the gap between secular administration and sacred worship, showing that faithful work in any sphere honors God.
When we read about the rebuilding of the temple in Ezra, we see avidah describing the diligent labor of those committed to restoring God’s house. It reminds us that our daily tasks, whether managing resources or performing rituals, are part of a larger divine order. This perspective invites us to view our own responsibilities not as burdens, but as opportunities for faithful stewardship.
Whether serving in a community role or maintaining personal duties, avidah encourages a mindset of structured devotion. It suggests that God values the order and consistency we bring to our work. By approaching our tasks with diligence and respect, we participate in a long tradition of faithful service that reflects God’s own orderly nature.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ work/ the1×
- administration/ the1×
- [the] work of1×
- [the] service of1×
- [the] administration of1×
- <obj.>/ [the] work of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲבִידַת֙1×
- עֲבִידַ֥ת1×
- עֲבִידַ֣ת1×
- עֲבִֽידְתָּ/א֙1×
- לַ/עֲבִידַ֖ת1×
- וַ/עֲבִ֥ידְתָּ/א1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 6:18
They set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.
This verse explicitly links the organizational structure of priests and Levites to the 'service of God,' highlighting how avidah encompasses both ritual observance and administrative order.
-
Ezra 5:8
Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
Here, the term describes the diligent, ongoing construction work that prospers under divine favor, illustrating how structured labor is viewed as an act of spiritual commitment.
-
Daniel 3:12
There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, have not respected you. They don’t serve your gods, and don’t worship the golden image which you have set up.”
The officials are accused of not serving the king’s gods, using avidah to denote political and religious allegiance, which underscores the word's weight in matters of loyalty and duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does avidah mean in the Bible?
How is avidah different from general work?
Why does this word appear mostly in Ezra and Daniel?
Every Occurrence (6 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 4 verses
Then work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of…
Ezra 5:8Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built…
Ezra 6:7Leave the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of…
Ezra 6:18They set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem,…