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עֲבַד

𐤏𐤁𐤃

ʻăbad

H5648 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עבד to work, to serve, to do

Definition

To perform an action, carry out a task, accomplish, make, or produce; in Aramaic, עֲבַד functions as a general verb of action and creation, ranging from 'to do' or 'to make' to more specific senses of producing, executing (a command), or working (in service). It is used as the broad, basic Aramaic verb for 'to do,' 'to act,' or 'to make' across various narrative, administrative, or ritual contexts.

Semantic Range

to do, to make, to accomplish, to produce, to perform, to execute (an order/command), to work, to prepare, to manufacture, to carry out

Root / Etymology

From the root עבד, meaning 'to work, serve.' In Hebrew, this root typically means 'to serve, work, be a servant.' The Aramaic verb עֲבַד is a cognate but more broadly covers 'to do, to make,' serving as the common verb for general activity or action in Aramaic, much like עשה ('to do, make') in Hebrew. Thus, עֲבַד is the standard Aramaic equivalent to both עשה and עבד in Hebrew, with a particularly wide range.

Historical & Contextual Notes

As an Aramaic verb, עֲבַד appears especially in the Aramaic sections of Ezra and Daniel, as well as other Northwest Semitic inscriptions outside the Hebrew Bible. Its primary literary function is as the basic verb for acting, making, or accomplishing. Unlike Hebrew עבד, which focuses on labor or servitude, Aramaic עֲבַד is broader and more general, almost always meaning simply 'to do' or 'to make.' In later post-biblical Aramaic (Targumic, rabbinic, Syriac), the verb continues as the basic word for 'do' or 'make.' English versions often translate עֲבַד with the broad range 'do, make, accomplish, execute,' but these may not always reflect the nuances of context (e.g., ritual action vs. administrative work). There is no religious or ethnic-connoted nuance (like 'serve God') inherent in this Aramaic verb, unlike Hebrew עבד which can acquire theological significance in Israelite religious contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to עָבַד; to do, make, prepare, keep, etc.; [idiom] cut, do, execute, go on, make, move, work.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עבד (ʿ-b-d) — to work, to serve, to do

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4566 מַעְבָּד their deeds
H4567 מַעְבָד his deeds
H5647 עָבַד he served
H5649 עֲבַד servant
H5650 עֶבֶד his servants

Word Forms

16 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5648-15 יִתְעֲבֵ֔ד yiteaved AVui3ms let be done he will be worked 3
H5648-01 עֲבַד֙ avad AVqp3ms made he perished 3
H5648-04 עָבֵד֙ aved AVqrmsa doing servant 3
H5648-06 עַבְדֵת֒ avedet AVqp1cs have I done I did 2
H5648-08 לְ/מֶעְבַּ֣ד lemeebad AR/Vqc to-do to do 2
H5648-03 עֲבַ֑דוּ avadu AVqp3mp they did they did 2
H5648-16 יִתְעֲבִֽד yiteavid AVui3ms be-done he will be made 2
H5648-11 תַֽעַבְד֗וּן taavedun AVqi2mp you-may-do you all will do 2
H5648-09 מִתְעֲבֶד miteaved AVusmsa executed being carried out 2
H5648-10 מִתְעַבְדָ֖א miteaveda AVurfsa being-done being-made 1

Occurrences in Scripture

28 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5648-03 Jeremiah 10:11 עֲבַ֑דוּ avadu AVqp3mp made they did
H5648-12 Daniel 2:5 תִּתְעַבְד֔וּן titeavedun AVui2mp you shall be cut you will busy yourselves
H5648-01 Daniel 3:1 עֲבַד֙ avad AVqp3ms made he perished
H5648-06 Daniel 3:15 עַבְדֵת֒ avedet AVqp1cs I have made I did
H5648-15 Daniel 3:29 יִתְעֲבֵ֔ד yiteaved AVui3ms shall-be-made he will be worked
H5648-01 Daniel 3:32 עֲבַ֣ד avad AVqp3ms has done he perished
H5648-04 Daniel 4:32 עָבֵד֙ aved AVqrmsa he does servant
H5648-02 Daniel 4:32 עֲבַֽדְתְּ avadete AVqp2ms have you done you did
H5648-01 Daniel 5:1 עֲבַד֙ avad AVqp3ms made he perished
H5648-04 Daniel 6:11 עָבֵ֔ד aved AVqrmsa doing servant
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