Meaning
1. In the Old Testament:
In the Old Testament more than one word is rendered "burden."
(1) massa', from a root nasa' "he lifted up." Thus literally any load is called massa' (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 (Ps 38:4). Taxes may be a burden (Ho 8:10).
(2) In both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) massa' 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). 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." Massa', 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 mas'-eth, of the same derivation as massa', is applied to foolish oracles (La 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; Am 5:11, burdens the King James Version, exactions the American Standard Revised Version and the Revised Version (British and American)).
Massa' is used also in Pr 30:1 and Pr 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 Ge 25:14), "Lemuel king of Massa."
Other words translated "burden" are from the root cabhal, "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) baros, "something heavy." Burdens of the day (Mt 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 (Ga 6:2).
(2) phortion, "something to be borne." The obligation which Christ imposes (Mt 11:30); the legal ordinances of the Pharisees (Lu 11:46); a man's individual responsibility (Ga 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 gomos, "the freight" of a ship (Ac 21:3); compare ogkos, 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.
George Henry Trever
