Burden

VIEW:43 DATA:01-04-2020
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 2Ki_5:17, Neh_13:19, Num_4:15. Related usages are frequent; in Isa_22:25 the word suggests the pressure of something hanging on a peg, in Num_11:11 the responsibility and in Hos_8:10 the privilege of government, in Psa_38:4 the responsibility for sin. The second sense is that of a solemn utterance, and the marginal alternative ‘oracle’ (Isa_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. Zec_12:1-14; Zec_9:1; Zec_9:9-17; in Pro_30:1; Pro_31:1 RV [Note: Revised Version.] puts ‘oracle’ in the text and ‘burden’ in the margin), and the word-play in Jer_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 (Lam_2:14).
In the NT, Act_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 (Mat_23:4, Luk_11:46), for the prohibitions of the Apostolic decree (Act_15:28; cf. Rev_2:24), for the pressure and load of life (Mat_20:12), for an exacting or even legitimate charge upon others (2Co_11:9; 2Co_12:13 f.), for the imagined difficulties of following Christ (Mat_11:30). Two other kinds of burdens with their right treatment are contrasted. Other men’s errors and sorrows must be shared in sympathy (Gal_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 (Gal_6:5).
R. W. Moss.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909


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' (Exo_23:5; Num_4:15, Num_4:24, Num_4:27; 2Ki_5:17; 2Ki_8:9). Figuratively, people are a burden (Num_11:11, Num_11:17; Deu_1:12; 2Sa_15:33; 2Sa_19:35). A man may be a burden to himself (Job_7:20). Iniquities are a burden (Psa_38:4). Taxes may be a burden (Hos_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 Isa_13:1; Isa_14:28, and often; Jer_23:33, Jer_23:36, Jer_23:38, no marginal reading; Eze_12:10; Nah_1:1; Hab_1:1; Zec_9:1; Zec_12:1; Mal_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 (Zec_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 (Lam_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; Amo_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 Pro_30:1 and Pro_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 Gen_25:14), ?Lemuel king of Massa.?
(3) Other words translated ?burden? are from the root סבל, ṣābhal, ?to bear a load? (Neh_4:17; Psa_81:6; 1Ki_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, Exo_5:4, Exo_5:5; Exo_6:6, Exo_6:7; Isa_10:27; Isa_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 (Mat_20:12), the burden of duty to be borne, a difficult requirement (Act_15:28; Rev_2:24). The burden of one's moral infirmities (Gal_6:2).
(2) φορτίον, phortı́on, ?something to be borne.? The obligation which Christ imposes (Mat_11:30); the legal ordinances of the Pharisees (Luk_11:46); a man's individual responsibility (Gal_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 (Act_21:3); compare ὄγκος, ógkos, weight or encumbrance which impedes the runner's progress to the goal (Heb_12:1), with particular reference to the superfluous flesh which an athlete seeks to get rid of in training (compare 1Co_9:24-27), and figuratively whatever hinders the full development of Christian manhood.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.


Gen_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.

Num_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.

Deu_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.

Psa_38:4 (b) The word is used to describe the load of sin which crushed David's spirit.

Psa_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 Ecc_12:5).

Psa_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.

Isa_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.

Isa_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 Isa_17:1; Isa_19:1; Isa_21:1, Isa_21:11, Isa_21:13; Isa_22:1, Isa_22:25; Isa_23:1; Isa_30:6).

Isa_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.

Jer_23:33 (b) The question is asked concerning what message there is from the Lord about punishment and retribution. (See also vss. Jer_23:36 and Jer_23:38).

Lam_2:14 (b) The word is used here to describe the false information given by false prophets to bring fear upon the people.

Eze_12:10 (b) Here is a message concerning punishment and judgment against the leaders of Israel. (See also Hos_8:10; Nah_1:1; Zec_12:1; Mal_1:1).

Mat_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 Luk_11:46).
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types
press 1957.


Burden
(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 (Isa_13:1; Nah_1:1); yet it did not exclusively imply a grievous and heavy burden, but a message, whether its import were joyous or afflictive (Zec_9:1; Zec_12:1; Mal_1:1).

CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.





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