“Issabon” is the word used for “toil” or “pain” in 3:16, 17 and 5:29. Coleson defines the word as “arduous, anxious, even anguished, toil for much diminished or uncertain rewards” (Coleson, ph. 137). It is a word connected to God’s announcement of the curse upon the woman, “I will greatly multiply your pains/toil,” and “with labor/toil you shall produce children” (emphasis added). There is an interesting juxtaposition between the issabon of the pronounced consequences here and the work God had blessed in the garden. It stands in contrast to the satisfying and rewarding work God had appointed them in the garden (cf. 1:28; 2:15).
This term, additionally, is assigned to the man in verse 17. The relationship the man will now have with the ground will be “arduous toil” (emphasis added). It will be an increased labor with diminished returns. Where before the man’s and woman’s work “tending the garden” had not been toil, that all now changes. Both will have great pain, anxiety, and labor in their work.
It is clear that God is showing culpability in these two announcements of the curses. They both share in similar “pain.” Both have an equal stake to claim in their fall. With the introduction of the issabon, we see a fracturing of the created order and of relationships. The woman’s relationship in child-raising will become toil and anxiety-filled, and her pains will be multiplied. The man’s relationship with the ground has become fractured. What once would have been pleasurable, temporary work is now toil daily unto death. I’ll develop this further in the other forum.
[Additional Development]
“Issabon” is the word used for “toil” or “pain.” It occurs three times in Genesis chapters 3-5: 3:16, 17; and 5:29. In fact, these are the only instances the word issabon occurs in the Hebrew Bible. Coleson points out that issabon “refers to arduous, anxious, even anguished, toil for much diminished or uncertain rewards.)” (Coleson, pg. 137). So, again, we see that what was once pronounced by God as good, that which was blessed and approved, and all that was intended to be fulfilling for humanity has become perverted. Actually, it is humanity’s relationship with them that has become perverted.
Fast forward to Genesis 5:28-31. The name of Noah comes from the root nuah, which means rest. Lamech’s statement in v.29, “this one will bring us relief,” uses a similar root naham, which means comfort (bringing relief). Lamech’s hope was that Noah (rest) would bring relief from their work – their toil (issabon).
Since the fall, humanity’s work has been frustrated. The use of issabon has a consistent connection referring back to the curses imposed by God on humanity. As we will remember from that fall, humanity’s desire has been misplaced. The man and woman both desired something other than God. Now with the curses imposed, we see that humanity will always be conflicted in its desires. In one way, we will seek the desire for relief from the curses. This can, and at many times does, conflict with our desires for God.
Additionally, as a result of the fall, our relationships have become fractured and perverted. Our desire for relief from issabon competes with our desire to be intimately connected with God. Our relationship with the ground has become fractured. Our desire for fruitful and enjoying work competes with our issabon work for survival. Also, our relationships with each other have become fractured. The joys and blessings of child rearing now compete with their own issabon.
What is the relief from the issabon? I would suggest on-going covenant faithfulness to God through Jesus Christ would be the starting point.
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