'Engaged' in the Bible

From that day on, half of my helpers engaged in the work while the other half kept spears, shields, bows, and armor ready. The senior officials backed all of the Judeans

So I sent messengers to them saying, "I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you?"

I sent word back to him, "We are not engaged in these activities you are describing. All of this is a figment of your imagination."