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βαρέω

baréō

G916 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To weigh down, to burden, to cause to be heavy (literally or figuratively). The primary sense is to make something heavy or to place a burden upon; in extended, especially figurative, use: to oppress, to trouble, to cause difficulty or distress.

Semantic Range

to weigh down physically, to burden, to oppress, to cause emotional or psychological heaviness, to trouble, to grieve, to lay a load upon

Root / Etymology

From the root βαρ-, relating to heaviness, and the adjective βαρύς ('heavy'), with the denominative verb ending -έω. The verb βαρέω developed from βαρύς and expresses the idea of actively making something heavy or burdensome.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, βαρέω is primarily used both in physical (placing a heavy load) and figurative (oppressing, causing sorrow or difficulty) senses. In the Septuagint and New Testament, the term is used mainly in the figurative sense: to cause distress, emotional heaviness, or psychological burden (e.g., being troubled or grieved, facing burden of duty or responsibility). The root idea of heaviness remains, but the contextually dominant meaning broadens to include emotional, social, or spiritual forms of 'weight.' Standard English translations often use 'burden,' 'weigh down,' or 'oppress,' which align with but can sometimes obscure the metaphorical breadth of the term. Related terms include καταβαρύνω ('to weigh down even more') and βαρύς, which serve to amplify and modify the sense of heaviness. The term does not always imply guilt or wrongdoing—it can include external pressures, grief, or weariness.

Translation Consistency

primary "burden" 1 occurrence

baréō primarily means to place a weight or load on something—literally or figuratively (to oppress, trouble, grieve). "Burden" is a natural, single-word English verb that covers both physical and emotional senses and will render consistently across forms.

Alternatives (5 occurrences):
"having been weighed down" (2x) "weighed down" (2x) "might be weighed down" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from βαρύς; to weigh down (figuratively):--burden, charge, heavy, press.

Root Family

βαρέω (bareō) — to be heavy, to burden, to weigh down

Root βαρ- to be heavy, to burden, to weigh down

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G916-04 βεβαρημένοι bebaremenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL heavy having been weighed down having been weighed down 2
G916-05 ἐβαρήθημεν ebarethemen V AOR PASS IND 1P PL we were burdened we were weighed down we were weighed down 1
G916-03 βαρούμενοι baroumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL being burdened being weighed down being weighed down 1
G916-01 βαρείσθω bareistho V PRS PASS IMP 3P SG let be burdened let him be weighed down let be burdened 1
G916-02 βαρηθῶσιν barethosin V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P PL be burdened they might be weighed down they might be weighed down 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G916-04 Matthew 26:43 βεβαρημένοι bebaremenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL heavy having been weighed down having been weighed down
G916-04 Luke 9:32 βεβαρημένοι bebaremenoi V PRF PASS PTCP NOM M PL overcome having been weighed down having been weighed down
G916-02 Luke 21:34 βαρηθῶσιν barethosin V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P PL be burdened they might be weighed down they might be weighed down
G916-05 2 Corinthians 1:8 ἐβαρήθημεν ebarethemen V AOR PASS IND 1P PL we were burdened we were weighed down we were weighed down
G916-03 2 Corinthians 5:4 βαρούμενοι baroumenoi V PRS PASS PTCP NOM M PL being burdened being weighed down being weighed down
G916-01 1 Timothy 5:16 βαρείσθω bareistho V PRS PASS IMP 3P SG let be burdened let him be weighed down let be burdened
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