Difference between revisions of "Burden"

<p> <b> BURDEN. </b> —Both in Christ’s discourse against the Pharisees (&nbsp;Matthew 23:4, &nbsp;Luke 11:46) and in His saying, ‘Come unto me,’ etc. (&nbsp;Matthew 11:28; &nbsp;Matthew 11:30), the ‘burden’ (φορτἰον) is that of the legal and Pharisaic ordinances of such a minute and exacting kind that they became intolerable and crushed out real heart-religion. ‘My burden,’ Christ says, ‘is light’ in comparison with these; for I put men under the law of love, which is a law of liberty. With loving, gracious hearts, My disciples become a law unto themselves. The new law is written on the fleshy I tables of the heart. St. Peter, in &nbsp;Acts 15:10, speaks of the traditional legal observances as a yoke which ‘neither ye nor your fathers were able to bear,’ while faith in Christ can purify the heart and make strict rules for outward conduct unnecessary. In &nbsp;Matthew 11:30 Jesus gives utterance to the germ at least of the [[Pauline]] idea of a new spirit of life in Christ Jesus, setting free from condemnation. While, in the first instance, Christ meant by ‘burden’ the Pharisaic ordinances, the truth would become ever deeper to His disciples, till they understood the full contrast between the fulfilment of legal precepts through painful effort, and the joyous service of a living God and Father, growing into pervading holiness of character. </p> <p> The ‘burden (βάρος)* [Note: In &nbsp;Galatians 6:2; &nbsp;Galatians 6:5 Lightfoot contends that βάρο; and φορτἱον mean, respectively, a burden that may and ought to be got rid of, and one that must be borne.] of the day and the heat,’ in the parable of the Labourers (&nbsp;Matthew 20:12) is a description of toil which strains and wearies. In the interpretation of the parable, if any stress were laid on this detail, it might be the long and conscientious fulfilment of duty in the Christian life, which, though it must receive recognition in the end, gives no claim on God as one who rewards of debt, nor allows the worker to glory over another who has been less richly furnished with opportunity. </p> <p> Literature.—On the ‘burden’ of &nbsp;Matthew 11:28-30 ref. may be made to <i> Expos. Times </i> , iii. [1892) 512 ff.; <i> Expositor </i> , 1st ser. vii. [1878] p. 348 ff., xi. [1880]. p. 101 ff. </p> <p> David M. W. Laird. </p>

<p> In the Old [[Testament]] the English word "burden" is translated from the [[Hebrew]] word <i> massa </i> [ &nbsp; Exodus 23:5 ). In &nbsp;Numbers 4:15 it is used of the items the sons of [[Kohath]] carried as they moved the tabernacle from place to place in the wilderness. Another kind of burden is described in &nbsp; Numbers 11:11,17 , where Moses is bearing the burden of the people and the Lord tells him to gather the seventy elders so that "they will help you carry the burden of the people." In that instance, the burden is not physical but psychological and spiritual. David uses the word in the same way when he is leaving [[Jerusalem]] and says to Hushai, "If you go with me, you will be a burden to me" (&nbsp;2 Samuel 15:33 ). Job asks God if he has become a burden to him (7:20). </p> <p> The same Hebrew word is used in reference to a prophetic utterance describing a threat or punishment on a nation or people. Isaiah uses the term in chapters 13 through 23. Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Zechariah all have similar sections. Recent translations have tended to render the word "oracle" instead of "burden." The basic concept seems to be that Israel's sinful actions have caused God to be burdened. Therefore, in righteousness he is compelled to judge them. </p> <p> In the New Testament <i> phortion </i> [Φορτίον], the Greek word used for burden, denotes the troubles of this life. In &nbsp;Matthew 23:4 Jesus describes the heavy burdens the Pharisees laid upon the people "but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them." Obviously this is a burden of legalism. This same Greek word is used to describe a man's load of imperfections and sins in &nbsp; Galatians 6:5 . Jesus uses the same word to describe his burden in &nbsp;Matthew 11:30 : "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." The reason for having a light burden is described in the previous verse: "I am gentle and humble in heart." Burdens will come in this life but they will be light if we have Jesus' approach to life. </p> <p> Another Greek word, <i> baros </i> [ &nbsp; Acts 15:28 ). <i> Baros </i> [Βάρος] is also used in &nbsp;Galatians 6:2 to describe our Christian responsibility. </p> <p> [[Alan]] N. Winkler </p>

<p> '''(1):''' (n.) The proportion of ore and flux to fuel, in the charge of a blast furnace. </p> <p> '''(2):''' (n.) The tops or heads of stream-work which lie over the stream of tin. </p> <p> '''(3):''' (n.) The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she will carry; as, a ship of a hundred tons burden. </p> <p> '''(4):''' (v. t.) To encumber with weight (literal or figurative); to lay a heavy load upon; to load. </p> <p> '''(5):''' (n.) A fixed quantity of certain commodities; as, a burden of gad steel, 120 pounds. </p> <p> '''(6):''' (n.) A birth. </p> <p> '''(7):''' (n.) The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme at the end of each stanza; the chorus; refrain. Hence: That which is often repeated or which is dwelt upon; the main topic; as, the burden of a prayer. </p> <p> '''(8):''' (n.) The drone of a bagpipe. </p> <p> '''(9):''' (n.) A club. </p> <p> '''(10):''' (n.) That which is borne with labor or difficulty; that which is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive. </p> <p> '''(11):''' (v. t.) To oppress with anything grievous or trying; to overload; as, to burden a nation with taxes. </p> <p> '''(12):''' (v. t.) To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a burden (something heavy or objectionable). </p> <p> '''(13):''' (n.) That which is borne or carried; a load. </p>

<p> '''Burden.''' Is often used figuratively, to denote afflictions, failings, sins, &nbsp;Psalms 38:4; &nbsp;Psalms 55:22; &nbsp;Galatians 6:2; services under the law, &nbsp;Matthew 23:4; official responsibilities, &nbsp;Exodus 18:22; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 1:12; and especially prophetic massages, not always of a threatening character. &nbsp;Isaiah 19:1. In this last sense the Hebrew word may be rendered "oracle." "divine declaration," or "prophecy," as in &nbsp;Proverbs 30:1; &nbsp;Proverbs 31:1. See &nbsp;Jeremiah 23:33-40. </p>

<li> A prophecy of a calamitous or disastrous nature (&nbsp;Isaiah 13:1; &nbsp;17:1; &nbsp;Habakkuk 1:1 , etc.). <div> <p> '''Copyright Statement''' These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated [[Bible]] Dictionary, Third Edition, published by [[Thomas]] Nelson, 1897. Public Domain. </p> <p> '''Bibliography Information''' Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Burden'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/b/burden.html. 1897. </p> </div> </li>

<p> '''''bûr´d''''' ''''''n''''' . </p> 1. In the Old Testament <p> In the Old Testament more than one word is rendered "burden." </p> <p> (1) משׂא , <i> '''''massā'''''' </i> , from a root נשׂא , <i> '''''nāsā'''''' </i> "he lifted up." Thus literally any load is called <i> '''''massā'''''' </i> (&nbsp;Exodus 23:5; &nbsp;Numbers 4:15 , &nbsp;Numbers 4:24 , &nbsp;Numbers 4:27; &nbsp;2 Kings 5:17; &nbsp;2 Kings 8:9 ). Figuratively , people are a burden (&nbsp;Numbers 11:11 , &nbsp;Numbers 11:17; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 1:12; &nbsp;2 Samuel 15:33; &nbsp;2 Samuel 19:35 ). A man may be a burden to himself (&nbsp;Job 7:20 ). Iniquities are a burden (&nbsp;Psalm 38:4 ). Taxes may be a burden (&nbsp;Hosea 8:10 ). </p> <p> (2) In both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) <i> '''''massā'''''' </i> is translated "burden," as applied to certain prophetic utterances; but both the American Revised Version, margin and the Revised Version, margin have "oracle." Examples are &nbsp;Isaiah 13:1; &nbsp;Isaiah 14:28 , and often; &nbsp;Jeremiah 23:33 , &nbsp;Jeremiah 23:36 , &nbsp;Jeremiah 23:38 , no marginal reading; &nbsp;Ezekiel 12:10; &nbsp;Nahum 1:1; &nbsp;Habakkuk 1:1; &nbsp;Zechariah 9:1; &nbsp;Zechariah 12:1; &nbsp;Malachi 1:1 . As was natural under the circumstances, such oracles usually denounced judgment upon place or people. Hence, probably the translation "burden." But some of these prophetic utterances do not contain denunciation or threat (&nbsp;Zechariah 12:1-14 ). The passage in Jer, moreover, implies that the prophet used the term in the sense of "oraele," for scoffers are reproved for perverting the word and giving it the meaning "burden." <i> '''''Massā'''''' </i> , therefore, means something taken up with solemnity upon the lips, whether threatening or not, and the rendering, "burden," ought most likely to be given up. </p> <p> The word משׂאת , <i> '''''mas'''''' </i> - <i> '''''ēth''''' </i> , of the same derivation as <i> '''''massā'''''' </i> , is applied to foolish oracles (&nbsp;Lamentations 2:14 the King James Version, oracles the American Standard Revised Version, burdens the American Revised Version, margin, burdens the Revised Version (British and American), oracles the Revised Version, margin; &nbsp; Amos 5:11 , burdens the King James Version, exactions the American Standard Revised Version and the Revised Version (British and American)). </p> <p> <i> '''''Massā'''''' </i> is used also in &nbsp;Proverbs 30:1 and &nbsp; Proverbs 31:1 , and is variously rendered prophecy (the King James Version), oracle (American Revised Version), burden, or the name of the speaker's country (Revised Version margin, the American Revised Version, margin), oracle (Revised Version). The reading is doubtful, but probably the reference is to the speaker's country - "Jakeh, of Massa" (compare &nbsp;Genesis 25:14 ), "Lemuel king of Massa." </p> <p> (3) Other words translated "burden" are from the root סבל , <i> '''''ṣābhal''''' </i> , "to bear a load" (&nbsp;Nehemiah 4:17; &nbsp;Psalm 81:6; &nbsp;1 Kings 11:28; King James Version margin, charge the King James Version, labor the American Standard Revised Version and the Revised Version (British and American), burden the American Revised Version, margin and the Revised Version, margin, &nbsp;Exodus 5:4 , &nbsp;Exodus 5:5; &nbsp;Exodus 6:6 , &nbsp;Exodus 6:7; &nbsp;Isaiah 10:27; &nbsp;Isaiah 14:25 ). </p> 2. In the New Testament <p> In the New Testament several Greek words mean "burden." </p> <p> (1) βάρος , <i> '''''báros''''' </i> , "something heavy." Burdens of the day (&nbsp;Matthew 20:12 ), the burden of duty to be borne, a difficult requirement (&nbsp;Acts 15:28; &nbsp;Revelation 2:24 ). The burden of one's moral infirmities (&nbsp;Galatians 6:2 ). </p> <p> (2) φορτίον , <i> '''''phortı́on''''' </i> , "something to be borne." The obligation which Christ imposes (&nbsp;Matthew 11:30 ); the legal ordinances of the Pharisees (&nbsp;Luke 11:46 ); a man's individual responsibility (&nbsp;Galatians 6:5 ). Whether any clear and consistent distinction can be made between these two words is doubtful. Probably, however, <i> '''''phortion''''' </i> refers to the load as something to be borne, whether heavy or light, whilst <i> '''''baros''''' </i> may be an oppressive load. According to Lightfoot <i> '''''baros''''' </i> may suggest a load of which a man may rightly rid himself should occasion serve, but <i> '''''phortion''''' </i> a burden which he is expected to bear, as every soldier carries his own pack. But most likely too much weight should not be given to these distinctions. </p> <p> (3) There is also the word γόμος , <i> '''''gómos''''' </i> , "the freight" of a ship (&nbsp;Acts 21:3 ); compare ὄγκος , <i> '''''ógkos''''' </i> , weight or encumbrance which impedes the runner's progress to the goal (&nbsp;Hebrews 12:1 ), with particular reference to the superfluous flesh which an athlete seeks to get rid of in training (compare &nbsp;1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ), and figuratively whatever hinders the full development of Christian manhood. </p>

<p> (מִשָּׂא, massa', a lifting up, i.e. of the voice; Sept. usually λῆμμα ). This term, besides its common meaning of a load (for which several other terms were also used), frequently occurs in the prophetical writings in the special signification of an oracle from God. It was sometimes understood in the sense of a denunciation of evil (&nbsp;Isaiah 13:1; &nbsp;Nahum 1:1); yet it did not exclusively imply a grievous and heavy burden, but a message, whether its import were joyous or afflictive (&nbsp;Zechariah 9:1; &nbsp;Zechariah 12:1; &nbsp;Malachi 1:1). </p>