King James Bible Dictionary

EMPLOY', verb transitive [Latin plico.]

1. To occupy the time, attention and labor of; to keep busy, or at work; to use. We employ our hands in labor; we employ our heads or faculties in study or thought; the attention is employed, when the mind is fixed or occupied upon an object; we employ time, when we devote it to an object. A portion of time should be daily employed in reading the scriptures, meditation and prayer; a great portion of life is employed to little profit or to very bad purposes.

2. To use as an instrument or means. We employ pens in writing, and arithmetic in keeping accounts. We employ medicines in curing diseases.

3. To use as materials in forming any thing. We employ timber, stones or bricks, in building; we employ wool, linen and cotton, in making cloth.

4. To engage in one's service; to use as an agent or substitute in transacting business; to commission and entrust with the management of one's affairs. The president employed an envoy to negotiate a treaty. Kings and States employ embassadors at foreign courts.

5. To occupy; to use; to apply or devote to an object; to pass in business; as, to employ time; to employ an hour, a day or a week; to employ one's life.

To employ one's self, is to apply or devote one's time and attention; to busy one's self.

EMPLOY', noun That which engages the mind, or occupies the time and labor of a person; business; object of study or industry; employment.

Present to grasp, and future still to find,

The whole employ of body and of mind.

1. Occupation, as art, mystery, trade, profession.

2. Public office; agency; service for another.

EMPLOY'ABLE, adjective That may be employed; capable of being used; fit or proper for use.

EMPLOY'ED, participle passive Occupied; fixed or engaged; applied in business; used in agency.

General references
Leviticus 19:13; Leviticus 25:6; Deuteronomy 15:18; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; Romans 4:4; 1 Timothy 5:18

Character of unrighteous
Job 7:1-3; Job 14:1; Job 14:6; Matthew 20:1-15; Matthew 21:33-41; John 10:12-13

Kindness to
Ruth 2:4; Luke 15:17; Luke 15:19

Oppressions of
Proverbs 22:16; Malachi 3:5; Luke 15:15-16; James 5:4
Servant; Employer; Master

General references
Leviticus 25:43; Deuteronomy 5:14; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; Leviticus 19:13; Job 31:13-15; Proverbs 22:16; Proverbs 29:21; Jeremiah 22:13; Malachi 3:5; Matthew 10:10; Matthew 20:1-15; Luke 10:7; Romans 4:4; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1; 1 Timothy 5:18; Philippians 1:15-16; James 5:4-5
Master; Employer; Labor; Servant

EMPLOY'ER, noun One who employs; one who uses; one who engages or keeps in service.

EMPLOY'ING, participle present tense Occupying; using; keeping busy.

EMPLOY'MENT, noun The act of employing or using.

1. Occupation; business; that which engages the head or hands; as agricultural employments; mechanical employments. Men, whose employment is to make sport and amusement for others, are always despised.

2. Office; public business or trust; agency or service for another or for the public. The secretary of the treasury has a laborious and responsible employment He is in the employment of government.