עֲסֵק ch. same 1) to take pains, take trouble. Targ. II Kings IV, 13. Targ. I Chr. XII, 34 (33; h. text לעדר). —2) (with ב) to be occupied with. Targ. Y. Lev. XX, 3; 5 (v. Sifra K’dosh., ch. VIII, Par. 4, s. v. עֵסֶק II). Targ. Koh. VI, 8. Targ. Prov. VII, 18 ונֶעְסַק חד לחד וכ׳ and let us be engaged in dalliances in private (h. text נתעלסה וכ׳); a. fr.—Part. pass. עֲסִיק; f. עָסִיקָא; pl. עֲסִיקִין; עֲסִיקָן. Targ. Y. II, Deut. XXXII, 4. Targ. Cant. I, 15. Ib. IV, 15; a. fr.—Y. Ḥag. II, 77ᵇ עד דאינון עסיקין בדידון נַעְסוֹק וכ׳ (not עסוקין) while they are occupied with their doings (songs &c.), let us be occupied with our business (study); so they sat down and engaged in discussing words of the Law. Sot. 21ᵃ בעידנא דעָסֵיק בה while he is engaged in it. B. Mets. 12ᵇ, a. fr. (במאי עֲסִיקִינָן) במאי עַסְקִינָן אילימא וכ׳ what are we engaged in?, i.e. what is the case before us? Is it that the debtor admits &c. Ib., a. fr. הכא במאי עסקינן במגורשת וכ׳ (abbr. הב׳'ע) what is treated of here (in the Mishnah) is the case of a doubtful divorce. Ib. הכא בעבד עסקינן … the slave meant in this connection is one who perforates pearls (a skillful laborer); a. fr.
Ithpa. - אִתְעַסֵּק, אִיעַסֵּק 1) to occupy one’s self, be busy. Targ. Ps. L, 5. Targ. Ex. V, 9. Targ. II Chr. XXXV, 14; a. fr.—Ber. 25ᵇ רב אחאי איע׳ ליה לבריה Rab A. busied himself with preparations for his son’s wedding. B. Mets. 104ᵇ יהיבנא לך לאִיעַסּוּקֵי ביה (Ms. M. לעַסּוּקֵי Pa.) I gave it to thee to do business with (but not to spend thy share for personal use); a. fr. —2) to dispute, quarrel. Targ. Gen. XXVI, 20.