Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "burdens" can refer to both physical loads and metaphorical weights that individuals carry, encompassing emotional, spiritual, and moral dimensions. The concept of burdens is addressed throughout Scripture, highlighting the human experience of carrying heavy loads and the divine provision for relief and support.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, burdens often refer to physical labor and the oppressive demands placed upon individuals. For instance, the Israelites in Egypt were subjected to harsh labor, described as burdens: "So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor" (
Exodus 1:11). This physical burden was a symbol of their bondage and suffering.
The Psalms frequently speak of burdens in a metaphorical sense, expressing the weight of sin, sorrow, and distress.
Psalm 38:4 states, "For my iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear" . Here, the psalmist acknowledges the oppressive nature of sin as a burden that weighs heavily on the soul.
New Testament TeachingsIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ offers a profound teaching on burdens, inviting those who are weary to find rest in Him. In
Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus declares, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" . This passage emphasizes the relief and peace found in Christ, contrasting the heavy burdens of life with the lightness of His yoke.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of burdens in his epistles. In
Galatians 6:2, he instructs believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" . This directive underscores the communal aspect of the Christian faith, where believers are called to support and uplift one another, sharing in each other's struggles and challenges.
Spiritual and Moral ImplicationsBurdens in the spiritual and moral sense often relate to the weight of sin and the responsibility of living a righteous life. The Bible acknowledges the struggle against sin as a significant burden, yet it also offers the hope of redemption and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:1 encourages believers to "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles" , urging them to run the race of faith with perseverance.
The concept of burdens also extends to the responsibilities and challenges of discipleship. Jesus calls His followers to take up their cross daily, a metaphor for the burdens and sacrifices inherent in following Him (
Luke 9:23). This call to discipleship involves a willingness to endure hardships for the sake of the Gospel, trusting in God's strength and provision.
Divine Assistance and ComfortThroughout Scripture, God is portrayed as a source of comfort and assistance for those who are burdened.
Psalm 55:22 encourages believers to "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken" . This assurance of divine support is a recurring theme, offering hope and encouragement to those who feel overwhelmed by life's challenges.
In summary, the biblical concept of burdens encompasses both the tangible and intangible weights that individuals carry. Through faith in Christ and the support of the Christian community, believers are invited to find relief and strength, trusting in God's promise to sustain and uphold them.
Greek
5413. phortion -- a burden... Word Origin dim. of phortos (load, cargo); from phero Definition a burden NASB
Word Usage burden (1),
burdens (3), cargo (1), load (1). burden.
...5606. omos -- the shoulder
... shoulder. Perhaps from the alternate of phero; the shoulder (as that on whichburdens
are borne) -- shoulder. see GREEK phero. (omous) -- 2 Occurrences....
922. baros -- weight
... Word Origin from barus Definition weight NASB Word Usage asserted* (1), authority
(1), burden (3),burdens (1), weight (1). burden, weight....
Strong's Hebrew
7926. shekem -- shoulder... place of
burdens. From shakam; the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of
burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill -- back, X consent, portion, shoulder.
...5450. siblah -- a burden
... 5449, 5450. siblah. 5451 . a burden. Transliteration: siblah Phonetic Spelling:
(seb-aw-law') Short Definition:burdens. Word Origin...
5449. sabbal -- burden bearer
... to bear, bearer ofburdens. From cabal; a porter -- (to bear, bearer of)
burden(-s). see HEBREW cabal. 5448, 5449. sabbal. 5450 . Strong's Numbers.
3513. kabad -- to be heavy, weighty, or burdensome
... 6), held in honor (1), honor (17), honor you greatly (1), honorable (4), honored
(19), honoring (2), honors (5), indeed honor (1), laidburdens (1), made my...
5447. sebel -- a load, burden
... burden. Word Origin from sabal Definition a load, burden NASB Word Usage
burden (1),burdens (1), forced labor (1). burden, charge....
6677. tsavvar -- neck, back of neck
... or (feminine) tsavva.rah (Micah 2:3) {tsav-vaw-raw'}; intensively from tsuwr in
the sense of binding; the back of the neck (as that on whichburdens are bound...
Library
We are not Binding HeavyBurdens and Laying them Upon Your...
... Section 37. We are not binding heavyburdens and laying them upon your
shoulders? 37. We are not binding heavyburdens and laying...
Association
... SERMON XX. ASSOCIATION. GALATIANS, vi.2. "Bear ye one another'sburdens,
and so fulfil the law of Christ.". If I were to ask you, my...
Of the Term Mass.
... For it is an old word, ordinarily employed in public civil administrations, and
signified to the Greeks publicburdens, as tribute, the expense of equipping a...
February 22. "He that Hath Entered into his Rest Hath Ceased from...
... What a rest it would be to many of us if we could but exchangeburdens with Christ,
and so utterly and forever transfer to Him all our cares and needs that we...
The Burden-Bearing God
... Whereas, on the other hand, if we adopt the suggested emendation, 'Who daily beareth
ourburdens,' we get a still more beautiful meaning, which requires no...
He Careth for Thee.
... God. None can be truly happy, none can be the cheer, comfort, and consolation
to the world, who are bearing their ownburdens. Only...
Li. Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect.
... for ye load men withburdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch
not theburdens with one of your fingers. [We have seen...
Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
... (From the Epistle for the day) Teaching us that we ought to receive God, in all
His gifts, and in all Hisburdens, with true long-suffering....
Christ's Reprehension of the Pharisees Seeking a Sign his Censure...
... He also inveighs against the doctors of the law themselves, because they were "lading
men withburdens grievous to be borne, which they did not venture to...
Of the Section Where it is Recorded, that Being Moved with...
... An instance of this kind occurs in what is said in the Epistle to the Galatians:
"Bear ye one another'sburdens, and so ye will fulfil the law of Christ....
Thesaurus
Burdens (35 Occurrences)...Burdens (35 Occurrences).
... For you load men with
burdens that are difficult to carry,
and you yourselves won't even lift one finger to help carry those
burdens.
...Load (22 Occurrences)
... a cargo; lading. 3. (v.) That whichburdens, oppresses, or grieves the
mind or spirits; as, a load of care. 4. (n.) A particular...
Loads (12 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:4 Heavy and cumbrousburdens they bind together and load men's shoulders
with them, while as for themselves, not with one finger do they choose to...
80000 (3 Occurrences)
... 80000 (3 Occurrences). 1 Kings 5:15 Solomon had seventy thousand who boreburdens,
and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains; (See NAS)....
Labors (27 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Exodus 2:11 It happened in those days, when Moses had grown up, that
he went out to his brothers, and looked at theirburdens....
Grievous (73 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavyburdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay
them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them...
Fingers (22 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavyburdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them
on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their...
Borne (172 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavyburdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay
them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them...
Cutters (14 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 5:15 Solomon had seventy thousand who boreburdens, and eighty
thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains; (WEB BBE NIV)....
Carriers (7 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Kings 5:15 Solomon had seventy thousand who boreburdens, and eighty
thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains; (See NIV)....
Resources
What does it mean to bear one another's burdens? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Issachar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about burnout? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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