profitable

Everyday

Bringing in money or some good; helpful and worth doing. tree →

In the lessons

in the lessons, a business or task that brings gain; in stories, a useful job or a useful sheep

Examples

• Selling cakes at the fair was profitable. tree →
• It is profitable to keep bees for honey. tree →
• The messenger hoped for a profitable office. tree →

Note

profit is the money left after costs are taken away, so a profitable deal is found by taking costs (-) from money earned; the word itself gives no number.

In Jewish tradition

In the Tanakh it means useful or beneficial, and it is often used of idols that give no benefit.

Interpretation. The prophets mock idols as "profitable for nothing." Job's friend asks whether human goodness can truly benefit God, who needs nothing.

Examples

• Can a man be profitable unto God? (Writings JOB.22.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or can he that is wise be profitable unto Him? (Writings JOB.22.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who hath fashioned a god, or molten an image that is profitable for nothing? (Prophets ISA.44.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

profit is the money left after costs are taken away, so a profitable deal is found by taking costs (-) from money earned; the word itself gives no number.