Burden

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Genesis 49:14 (a) This beautiful metaphor presents the believer as a bearer of the sorrows and griefs of others. One burden is the load that the Christian has for the glory of GOD and His work; the other is the burden He has for man's need of salvation and relief. He couches down to show His perfect willingness to bear these loads, and to have this yoke put upon his neck. He is described as being strong because the Spirit of GOD gives the strength necessary bearing both of these burdens. Perhaps this is also a beautiful illustration of the Lord Jesus He too bowed down to bear the burden of GOD's relationship to the people and the relationship of the people to GOD. He bore GOD's righteous character and revealed GOD's judgments while He made provision for man's terrible need because of his sins.

 Numbers 4:15-19 (c) This was a God-given load to bear for the glory of the Lord. Some burdens are liabilities - some are assets.

 Deuteronomy 1:12 (b) Moses thus describes the great weight of responsibility that was upon him because of the problems connected with the tremendous host he was leading to the promised land.

 Psalm 38:4 (b) The word is used to describe the load of sin which crushed David's spirit.

 Psalm 55:22 (b) This is a description of any weight of grief or sorrow, any distressing problem or situation which should be brought to the Lord for His sustaining grace and power. (See also  Ecclesiastes 12:5).

 Psalm 81:6 (b) This is a beautiful way of saying that GOD sometimes leaves the load of grief, sorrow and trouble which weighs down the heart and spirit, but removes the person from under the weight of it. In this case, the burden was left but the person was removed from it, and became a singing, rejoicing believer even though the burden remained. This is one of the three ways in which the Lord relieves His distressed children. As an example, we may think of the father and mother who have an afflicted child. There is no way of removing that burden, but GOD does provide that the hearts of the parents may be radiant, happy and trustful even though the sorrow remains.

 Isaiah 9:4 (b) Here we find that GOD delivers His people from the grievous yoke of the enemy so that they may be free to serve Him.

 Isaiah 15:1 (a) Here the burden is the sad story of GOD's judgments upon Moab. Frequently when GOD told of the punishment He was preparing to mete out to the enemy, the story is described as a "burden." (See  Isaiah 17:1;  Isaiah 19:1;  Isaiah 21:1,  Isaiah 21:11,  Isaiah 21:13;  Isaiah 22:1,  Isaiah 22:25;  Isaiah 23:1;  Isaiah 30:6).

 Isaiah 46:1-2 (b) Probably the Lord is telling us that the sins, sorrows and sufferings of these wicked people were like a heavy load on the hearts and the lives of every living thing in the land.

 Jeremiah 23:33 (b) The question is asked concerning what message there is from the Lord about punishment and retribution. (See also vss.  Jeremiah 23:36 and  Jeremiah 23:38).

 Lamentations 2:14 (b) The word is used here to describe the false information given by false prophets to bring fear upon the people.

 Ezekiel 12:10 (b) Here is a message concerning punishment and judgment against the leaders of Israel. (See also  Hosea 8:10;  Nahum 1:1;  Zechariah 12:1;  Malachi 1:1).

 Matthew 23:4 (b) The word is used in this case concerning religious laws, rules and programs formulated by false religions and forced upon the worshippers in that faith. (See also  Luke 11:46).

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Burden . The word so rendered in the OT is derived from a root which means to ‘lift’ or ‘carry.’ It has the two senses of an actual burden and a prophetic utterance. Instances of the former are   2 Kings 5:17 ,   Nehemiah 13:19 ,   Numbers 4:15 . Related usages are frequent; in   Isaiah 22:25 the word suggests the pressure of something hanging on a peg, in   Numbers 11:11 the responsibility and in   Hosea 8:10 the privilege of government, in   Psalms 38:4 the responsibility for sin. The second sense is that of a solemn utterance, and the marginal alternative ‘oracle’ (  Isaiah 14:28 et al .) is to he preferred. It was customary to explain this use of the word as due to the threatening character of the utterance; but many of the utterances are not threatening (cf.   Zechariah 12:1-14;   Zechariah 9:1;   Zechariah 9:9-17; in   Proverbs 30:1;   Proverbs 31:1 RV [Note: Revised Version.] puts ‘oracle’ in the text and ‘burden’ in the margin), and the word-play in   Jeremiah 23:33 ff. involves a reproof of the men who were disposed to regard the oracle of God as literally a burden. Most utterances of the prophets, moreover, were of necessity from their occasion minatory. ‘Burden’ in this second usage denotes simply something taken up solemnly upon the lips, both weighty in itself and weighty in its communication. It is not used of merely human utterances, but always carries with it the suggestion of Divine inspiration, actual or falsely assumed (  Lamentations 2:14 ).

In the NT,  Acts 21:3 is an instance of the literal use. The figures are easy. The word is used for the ordinances of the Law as interpreted by the Pharisees (  Matthew 23:4 ,   Luke 11:46 ), for the prohibitions of the Apostolic decree (  Acts 15:28; cf.   Revelation 2:24 ), for the pressure and load of life (  Matthew 20:12 ), for an exacting or even legitimate charge upon others (  2 Corinthians 11:9;   2 Corinthians 12:13 f.), for the imagined difficulties of following Christ (  Matthew 11:30 ). Two other kinds of burdens with their right treatment are contrasted. Other men’s errors and sorrows must be shared in sympathy (  Galatians 6:2 ); though in the service of Christ there can be no transfer of obligations, but each man must carry his own kit and do his own duty (  Galatians 6:5 ).

R. W. Moss.

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

BURDEN. —Both in Christ’s discourse against the Pharisees ( Matthew 23:4,  Luke 11:46) and in His saying, ‘Come unto me,’ etc. ( Matthew 11:28;  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  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  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.

The ‘burden (βάρος)* [Note: In  Galatians 6:2;  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 ( 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.

Literature.—On the ‘burden’ of  Matthew 11:28-30 ref. may be made to Expos. Times , iii. [1892) 512 ff.; Expositor , 1st ser. vii. [1878] p. 348 ff., xi. [1880]. p. 101 ff.

David M. W. Laird.

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

In the Old Testament the English word "burden" is translated from the Hebrew word massa [   Exodus 23:5 ). In  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   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" ( 2 Samuel 15:33 ). Job asks God if he has become a burden to him (7:20).

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.

In the New Testament phortion [Φορτίον], the Greek word used for burden, denotes the troubles of this life. In  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   Galatians 6:5 . Jesus uses the same word to describe his burden in  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.

Another Greek word, baros [   Acts 15:28 ). Baros [Βάρος] is also used in  Galatians 6:2 to describe our Christian responsibility.

Alan N. Winkler

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) The proportion of ore and flux to fuel, in the charge of a blast furnace.

(2): (n.) The tops or heads of stream-work which lie over the stream of tin.

(3): (n.) The capacity of a vessel, or the weight of cargo that she will carry; as, a ship of a hundred tons burden.

(4): (v. t.) To encumber with weight (literal or figurative); to lay a heavy load upon; to load.

(5): (n.) A fixed quantity of certain commodities; as, a burden of gad steel, 120 pounds.

(6): (n.) A birth.

(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.

(8): (n.) The drone of a bagpipe.

(9): (n.) A club.

(10): (n.) That which is borne with labor or difficulty; that which is grievous, wearisome, or oppressive.

(11): (v. t.) To oppress with anything grievous or trying; to overload; as, to burden a nation with taxes.

(12): (v. t.) To impose, as a load or burden; to lay or place as a burden (something heavy or objectionable).

(13): (n.) That which is borne or carried; a load.

King James Dictionary

BURD'EN, n. burd'n written also burthen. L. fero,or porto.

1. That which is borne or carried a load. Hence, 2. That which is borne with labor or difficulty that which is grievous, wearisome or oppressive. 3. A birth. 4. The verse repeated in a song, or the return of the theme at the end of each verse the chorus so called from the application of this word to the drone or base, and the pipe or string which plays it, in an instrument. A chord which is to be divided, to perform the intervals of music,when open and undivided, is also called the burden. 5. In common language, that which is often repeated a subject on which one dwells. 6. A fixed quantity of certain commodities as a burden of gad steel, 120 pounds. 7. The contents of a ship the quantity or number of tons, a vessel will carry as a ship of a hundred tons burden. 8. A club. Not in use.

BURD'EN, burd'n. To load to lay on a heavy load to incumber with weight. Hence,

1. To oppress with any thing grievous as, to burden a nation with taxes. 2. To surcharge as, to burden the memory.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

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

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Besides the common use of this word, it occurs at the commencement of several prophecies; as 'The burden of Babylon,' 'the burden of Moab.'  Isaiah 13:1;  Isaiah 15:1; etc. The learned are not agreed as to the force of massa in such places: its natural meaning would be 'a judgement that lies heavy on the people;' but some take its meaning to be 'an oracle or sentence pronounced against them.' The word occurs also in   Jeremiah 23:33-38 , where it is 'the burden of the Lord.' The false prophets were not to use this expression, as if they had a message from God. If they did, it should bring judgement upon them. The same word is translated 'prophecy' in  Proverbs 30:1;  Proverbs 31:1 .

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A weight or load, on body or soul; often used figuratively, to denote afflictions, failings, sins,  Psalm 38:4   55:22   Galatians 6:2; services under law,  Matthew 23:4; official responsibilities,  Exodus 18:22   Deuteronomy 1:12; and especially prophetic messages, not always of a threatening character,  Isaiah 19:1 . In this last sense the Hebrew word may be rendered "oracle," "divine declaration," or "prophecy," as in  Proverbs 31:31,1 .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

A prophecy of a calamitous or disastrous nature ( Isaiah 13:1;  17:1;  Habakkuk 1:1 , etc.).

Copyright Statement These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., DD Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

Bibliography Information Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Burden'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/b/burden.html. 1897.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bûr´d ' n .

1. In the Old Testament

In the Old Testament more than one word is rendered "burden."

(1) משׂא , massā' , from a root נשׂא , nāsā' "he lifted up." Thus literally any load is called massā' ( Exodus 23:5;  Numbers 4:15 ,  Numbers 4:24 ,  Numbers 4:27;  2 Kings 5:17;  2 Kings 8:9 ). Figuratively , people are a burden ( Numbers 11:11 ,  Numbers 11:17;  Deuteronomy 1:12;  2 Samuel 15:33;  2 Samuel 19:35 ). A man may be a burden to himself ( Job 7:20 ). Iniquities are a burden ( Psalm 38:4 ). Taxes may be a burden ( Hosea 8:10 ).

(2) In both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) massā' 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  Isaiah 13:1;  Isaiah 14:28 , and often;  Jeremiah 23:33 ,  Jeremiah 23:36 ,  Jeremiah 23:38 , no marginal reading;  Ezekiel 12:10;  Nahum 1:1;  Habakkuk 1:1;  Zechariah 9:1;  Zechariah 12:1;  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 ( 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." Massā' , 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.

The word משׂאת , mas' - ēth , of the same derivation as massā' , is applied to foolish oracles ( 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;   Amos 5:11 , burdens the King James Version, exactions the American Standard Revised Version and the Revised Version (British and American)).

Massā' is used also in  Proverbs 30:1 and   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  Genesis 25:14 ), "Lemuel king of Massa."

(3) Other words translated "burden" are from the root סבל , ṣābhal , "to bear a load" ( Nehemiah 4:17;  Psalm 81:6;  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,  Exodus 5:4 ,  Exodus 5:5;  Exodus 6:6 ,  Exodus 6:7;  Isaiah 10:27;  Isaiah 14:25 ).

2. In the New Testament

In the New Testament several Greek words mean "burden."

(1) βάρος , báros , "something heavy." Burdens of the day ( Matthew 20:12 ), the burden of duty to be borne, a difficult requirement ( Acts 15:28;  Revelation 2:24 ). The burden of one's moral infirmities ( Galatians 6:2 ).

(2) φορτίον , phortı́on , "something to be borne." The obligation which Christ imposes ( Matthew 11:30 ); the legal ordinances of the Pharisees ( Luke 11:46 ); a man's individual responsibility ( Galatians 6:5 ). Whether any clear and consistent distinction can be made between these two words is doubtful. Probably, however, phortion refers to the load as something to be borne, whether heavy or light, whilst baros may be an oppressive load. According to Lightfoot baros may suggest a load of which a man may rightly rid himself should occasion serve, but phortion 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.

(3) There is also the word γόμος , gómos , "the freight" of a ship ( Acts 21:3 ); compare ὄγκος , ógkos , weight or encumbrance which impedes the runner's progress to the goal ( Hebrews 12:1 ), with particular reference to the superfluous flesh which an athlete seeks to get rid of in training (compare  1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ), and figuratively whatever hinders the full development of Christian manhood.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( 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 ( Isaiah 13:1;  Nahum 1:1); Yet it did not exclusively imply a grievous and heavy burden, but a message, whether its import were joyous or afflictive ( Zechariah 9:1;  Zechariah 12:1;  Malachi 1:1).