ἐργάτης
ergatēs
worker
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐργάτης (ergatēs) is defined as a worker, indicating a person who is engaged in manual labor or occupation. This term is used 16 times in the Bible, demonstrating its importance in various contexts. The meaning and range of usage for ἐργάτης can be seen in its various applications. It is often used to describe individuals who contribute to a collective effort, such as workers in a field, artisans, or laborers. This emphasizes the value and significance of physical labor in everyday life. The significance of ἐργάτης lies in its emphasis on the inherent worth and dignity of manual labor. It highlights the importance of industriousness, hard work, and contribution to society. Whether in the context of economic activity, social relationships, or personal fulfillment, ἐργάτης underscores the value of a life of diligence and purpose.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
16 total occurrences across the text
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Matthew 9:38Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 10:10Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor sandals, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.
Matthew 20:1“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
Matthew 20:2When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Matthew 20:8When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’
Luke 10:2Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.
Luke 10:2Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.
Luke 10:7Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house.
Luke 13:27He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’
Acts 19:25whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.
2 Corinthians 11:13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles.
Philippians 3:2Beware of the dogs; beware of the evil workers; beware of the false circumcision.
1 Timothy 5:18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
2 Timothy 2:15Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
James 5:4Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out, and the cries of those who reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Armies.