Service, labor — and, in the same breath, SLAVERY (from eved, 'servant/slave,' the root the exodus turns on: Israel serves Pharaoh, then is freed to SERVE God — same verb). Exodus 1:14's avodah kashah, 'hard service,' the mortar and the bricks. The word will pivot: the goal of the exodus is not idleness but a change of masters — 'let my people go, that they may serve me.' → first discussed at Gen 1:14