The term "toilsome" refers to labor or work that is arduous, exhausting, and often burdensome. In the biblical context, it is frequently associated with the consequences of sin and the fallen state of the world, reflecting the hardships and struggles that humanity faces as a result of the curse pronounced upon the earth.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 3:17-19: The concept of toilsome labor is introduced in the account of the Fall. After Adam and Eve's disobedience, God pronounces a curse upon the ground, making it difficult for Adam to cultivate. "Cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return" . This passage highlights the toilsome nature of work as a direct consequence of sin, transforming what was once a joyful stewardship of creation into a laborious task.

2. Ecclesiastes 1:3: The Preacher reflects on the futility and weariness of human labor, asking, "What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?" . This rhetorical question underscores the repetitive and often unfulfilling nature of toilsome work, emphasizing the vanity of earthly pursuits when disconnected from eternal purpose.

3. Ecclesiastes 2:22-23: Further exploring the theme of toil, the Preacher observes, "For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun? Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile" . The passage captures the mental and emotional strain that accompanies toilsome labor, highlighting the burdens that weigh heavily on the human spirit.

4. Psalm 127:1-2: The psalmist contrasts toilsome labor with the blessings of God, stating, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved" . This passage emphasizes the futility of labor without divine blessing and the peace that comes from trusting in God's provision.

Theological Implications:

The concept of toilsome labor in the Bible serves as a reminder of the brokenness of the world due to sin. It reflects the reality that human efforts, apart from God, often lead to frustration and weariness. However, Scripture also offers hope and redemption through Christ, who invites the weary to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). The promise of the new creation, where toil and pain will be no more (Revelation 21:4), provides believers with the assurance of ultimate restoration and peace.(a.) Laborious; wearisome; as, toilsome work.4190. poneros -- toilsome, bad
... toilsome, bad. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: poneros Phonetic Spelling:
(pon-ay-ros') Short Definition: evil, bad, wicked Definition: evil, bad ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4190.htm - 8k

On the Words of the Gospel, John viii. 31, "If Ye Abide in My Word ...
... To continue in the word of God, is it toilsome, or is it not? If it be
toilsome, look at the great reward; if it be not toilsome ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxiv on the words.htm

Thus Far I have Made Answer About My Crimes, and Indeed in Defence ...
... to leave them after having been so long in coming to them; and also if he had not
become somewhat less robust through his long and toilsome journey, and too ...
/.../1 thus far i have.htm

Chapter xviii.
... But now, to conclude by summing up this passage, what can be named or thought of
more laborious and toilsome, where the believing soul is straining every nerve ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xviii.htm

After This, Celsus, Desirous of Maintaining that Providence ...
... not more on our account than on that of the most savage animals, thus proceeds:
"We indeed by labour and suffering earn a scanty and toilsome subsistence, [3999 ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxvi after this celsus.htm

Whether Sloth is a Special vice?
... toil, can determine it to sloth, if this be a special vice; because the reason why
a man shuns spiritual goods, is that they are toilsome, wherefore sloth is a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sloth is a special.htm

Whether Effeminacy* is Opposed to Perseverance? [*Mollities ...
... Reply to Objection 2: Toil is opposed to bodily pleasure: wherefore it
is only toilsome things that are a hindrance to pleasures. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether effeminacy is opposed to.htm

But as the Wills of Friends, which are not Seen, are Believed ...
... read those things of which we have made mention, foretold concerning Christ in Whom
we believe, and the Church whom we discern from the toilsome beginning of ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /8 but as the wills.htm

The Subject of Plagiarisms Resumed. The Greeks Plagiarized from ...
... "For children sprung of parents who have led. A hard and toilsome life,
superior are;". Critias writes: "For I begin with a man's ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter ii the subject of plagiarisms.htm

Two views of Life
... What is the difference between a squirrel in the cage who only makes his prison
go round the faster by his swift race, and the man who lives toilsome days for ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/two views of life.htm

Sermon for Ascension Day
... Now, know of a truth that whosoever will truly follow after Christ, must mount or
climb this hill, toilsome or weary as the task may be; for there is no ...
/.../xviii sermon for ascension day.htm

Toilsome (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Laborious; wearisome; as, toilsome work.
Multi-Version Concordance Toilsome (3 Occurrences). ...
/t/toilsome.htm - 7k

Toils (9 Occurrences)

/t/toils.htm - 8k

Laborer (7 Occurrences)
... (n.) One who labors in a toilsome occupation; a person who does work that requires
strength rather than skill, as distinguished from that of an artisan. ...
/l/laborer.htm - 8k

Laborious (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Requiring perseverance or sacrifice; toilsome;
tiresome. 2. (a.) Devoted to labor; diligent; industrious ...
/l/laborious.htm - 9k

Tokehath (1 Occurrence)

/t/tokehath.htm - 6k

Esau (89 Occurrences)
... process of time Jacob, following his natural bent, became a shepherd; while Esau,
a "son of the desert," devoted himself to the perilous and toilsome life of a ...
/e/esau.htm - 41k

Dure
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Hard; harsh; severe; rough; toilsome. 2. (v.)
To last; to continue; to endure. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DURE. ...
/d/dure.htm - 6k

Pains (59 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Labor; toilsome effort; care or trouble taken; --
plural in form, but used with a singular or plural verb, commonly the former. ...
/p/pains.htm - 23k

Cumbrous (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Rendering action or motion difficult or toilsome;
serving to obstruct or hinder; burdensome; clogging. ...
/c/cumbrous.htm - 7k

Hermon (16 Occurrences)
... Lord and his disciples climbed this "high mountain apart" one day, and remained
on its summit all night, "weary after their long and toilsome ascent." During ...
/h/hermon.htm - 17k

Toilsome: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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