פְּעֻלָּה (pe.ul.lah)
pe.ul.lah
wages
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun pe’ulah literally means "work" or "deed," but in the Old Testament it frequently carries the specific sense of wages or payment for labor. It appears thirteen times across Scripture, with notable usage in Proverbs and Isaiah. Rather than referring to abstract effort, the word points to the tangible result or compensation earned through that effort.
In Proverbs, this term often describes the outcome of one’s actions, linking conduct directly to its consequences. For instance, it is used to contrast the rewards of the righteous with the fate of the wicked, emphasizing that deeds produce measurable results. The word underscores a principle of justice where work yields a corresponding return.
The root pe’ulah connects to the idea of something accomplished or finished. Translators often render it as "wages" when context implies payment, such as in Isaiah 40:10, where God rewards His people for their toil. This usage highlights the biblical view that labor is not futile but leads to a concrete outcome, whether blessing or judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This Hebrew word reminds us that our efforts are never lost on God. While it literally refers to wages or payment for labor, its deeper meaning points to the tangible results of a life well-lived. In a world that often feels unfair, Scripture assures us that integrity matters. The righteous may face hardship, but their conduct leads to life and lasting reward, unlike the fleeting gains of deceit.
God is just. He sees the toil behind the tears and the faithfulness in the quiet moments. Whether you are working for a living or serving in ministry, your labor has weight. Isaiah promises that our salvation and reward come directly from Him. This truth invites us to keep going, knowing that our work is seen, valued, and will ultimately bear fruit.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- for/ work/ your2×
- and/ recompense/ his2×
- work/ their1×
- wage[s] of1×
- to/ [the] deeds of1×
- recompense/ their1×
- and/ recompense/ my1×
- [the] wage[s] of1×
- [the] reward of1×
- [the] deeds of1×
- [be] [the] wage[s] of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּעֻלַּ֣ת2×
- וּ/פְעֻלָּת֖/וֹ2×
- פְּעֻלֹּ֣ת1×
- פְּעֻלַּ֥ת1×
- פְעֻלָּתָ֛/ם1×
- פְעֻלָּתָ/ם֙1×
- פְעֻלַּת\־1×
- לִ/פְעֻלָּתֵ/ךְ֙1×
- לִ/פְעֻלַּתְ/כֶֽם\׃\ \ס1×
- לִ/פְעֻלּ֣וֹת1×
- וּ/פְעֻלָּתִ֖/י1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 10:16
The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
This verse contrasts the life-giving outcome of the righteous with the destructive end of the wicked, showing how deeds produce measurable results.
-
Isaiah 40:10
Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
Here the word describes God’s own reward, emphasizing that He brings justice and recompense to His people with power.
-
Jeremiah 31:16
Yahweh says: “Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” says Yahweh. “They will come again from the land of the enemy.
God uses this term to comfort Rachel, promising that her weeping will end because her work and faithfulness will be rewarded.