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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: The Burden</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_burden.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/isaiah/1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/b/burden.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > The Burden</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/the_bull_for_the_sin_offering.htm" title="The Bull for the Sin Offering">◄</a> The Burden <a href="/topical/t/the_burden_against_arabia.htm" title="The Burden Against Arabia">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In biblical literature, the term "burden" often carries a dual significance, referring both to a physical load and a metaphorical weight of responsibility or prophecy. The concept of a burden is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing various aspects of spiritual and moral obligations, divine messages, and the human condition.<br><br><b>Old Testament Usage</b><br><br>In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "massa" is frequently translated as "burden." This term is often used in the context of prophetic messages. For instance, the Book of Isaiah begins with "The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah: Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: 'I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me'" (<a href="/isaiah/1.htm">Isaiah 1:1-2</a>). Here, the "vision" or "burden" is a divine message of judgment and hope delivered by the prophet.<br><br>Similarly, the Book of Nahum opens with "An oracle concerning Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite" (<a href="/nahum/1.htm">Nahum 1:1</a>). The term "oracle" is synonymous with "burden," indicating a message of impending judgment against the city of Nineveh. These burdens are not merely messages but are seen as weights carried by the prophets, who are tasked with delivering God's word to the people.<br><br><b>New Testament Context</b><br><br>In the New Testament, the concept of burden shifts more towards the moral and spiritual responsibilities of believers. Jesus Christ addresses the burdens imposed by the Pharisees, saying, "They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them" (<a href="/matthew/23-4.htm">Matthew 23:4</a>). Here, the burdens refer to the legalistic and oppressive demands placed upon the people by religious leaders.<br><br>Conversely, Jesus offers a different kind of burden, one that is light and easy to bear. He invites, "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" (<a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a>). This passage highlights the contrast between the burdens of the law and the grace offered through Christ.<br><br><b>Spiritual and Moral Implications</b><br><br>The burden in a spiritual sense often refers to the weight of sin and the human struggle with moral imperfection. The Apostle Paul writes, "Carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (<a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">Galatians 6:2</a>). This exhortation emphasizes the Christian duty to support one another in times of trial and to share in the struggles of fellow believers.<br><br>Moreover, the burden of sin is a recurring theme, with the understanding that Christ's sacrifice alleviates this weight. The Psalmist declares, "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken" (<a href="/psalms/55-22.htm">Psalm 55:22</a>). This verse encourages believers to trust in God's sustaining power and to relinquish their burdens to Him.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>The concept of "the burden" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the prophetic messages of the Old Testament to the spiritual and moral responsibilities highlighted in the New Testament. It serves as a reminder of the weight of sin, the call to support one another, and the relief found in Christ's redemptive work.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/b/burden.htm">Burden</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/b/burden_of_oppressions.htm">Burden of Oppressions</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/b/burden_of_the_prophetic_message.htm">Burden of the Prophetic Message</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/burdened.htm">Burdened (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gatekeepers.htm">Gatekeepers (38 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abundant.htm">Abundant (124 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/burden.htm">Burden (111 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/feeble.htm">Feeble (147 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/the_bull_for_the_sin_offering.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="The Bull for the Sin Offering"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="The Bull for the Sin Offering" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/the_burden_against_arabia.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="The Burden Against Arabia"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="The Burden Against Arabia" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>