# burden, load, heavy, hard work, hard labor, utterances ## Definition: A burden is a heavy load. It literally refers to a physical load such as a work animal would carry. The term “burden” also has several figurative meanings: * A burden can refer to a difficult duty or important responsibility that a person has to do. He is said to be “bearing” or “carrying” a “heavy burden.” * A cruel leader may put difficult burdens on the people he is ruling, for example by forcing them to pay large amounts of taxes. * A person who does not want to be a burden to someone does not want to cause that other person any trouble. * The guilt of a person’s sin is a burden to him. * The “burden of the Lord” is a figurative way of referring to a “message from God” that a prophet must deliver to God’s people. * The term “burden” can be translated by “responsibility” or “duty” or “heavy load” or “message,” depending on the context. ## Bible References: * [2 Thessalonians 03:6-9](rc://en/tn/help/2th/03/06) * [Galatians 06:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/gal/06/01) * [Galatians 06:03](rc://en/tn/help/gal/06/03) * [Genesis 49:15](rc://en/tn/help/gen/49/15) * [Matthew 11:30](rc://en/tn/help/mat/11/30) * [Matthew 23:04](rc://en/tn/help/mat/23/04) ## Word Data: * Strong’s: H2960, H3053, H4614, H4853, H4864, H5445, H5447, H5448, H5449, H5450, H6006, G0004, G0916, G0922, G2347, G2599, G2655, G5413