926. barus

Lexicon

barus: Heavy, burdensome, grievous, severe

Original Word: βαρύς
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: barus
Pronunciation: bä-roos'
Phonetic Spelling: (bar-ooce')
Definition: Heavy, burdensome, grievous, severe
Meaning: heavy, weighty, burdensome, lit. and met; violent, oppressive.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

grievous, heavy, burdensome

From the same as baros; weighty, i.e. (fig) burdensome, grave -- grievous, heavy, weightier.

see GREEK baros

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 926 barýs – (an adjective, also used substantively) – properly, heavy (weighty); (figuratively) what is grievous (burdensome), pressing down on a person with oppressive force. Such a grievous burden makes a person unable to function (enjoy free movement). See 922 (baros).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
heavy
NASB Translation
burdensome (1), heavy (1), savage (1), serious (1), weightier provisions (1), weighty (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 926: βαρύς

βαρύς, βαρεῖα, βαρύ, heavy;

1. properly, i. e. heavy in weight: φορτίον, Matthew 23:4 (in 11:30 we have the opposite, ἐλαφρόν).

2. metaphorically,

a. burdensome: ἐντολή, the keeping of which is grievous, 1 John 5:3.

b. severe, stern: ἐπιστολή, 2 Corinthians 10:10 (others, imposing, impressive, cf. Wetstein at the passage).

c. weighty, i. e. of great moment: τά βαρύτερα τοῦ νόμου the weightier precepts of the law, Matthew 23:23; αἰτιάματα (better αἰτιώματα (which see)), Acts 25:7.

d. violent, cruel, unsparing (A. V. grievous): λύκοι, Acts 20:29 (so also Homer, Iliad 1:89; Xenophon, Ages. 11, 12).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the base of βάρος (baros), meaning "weight" or "heaviness."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek word βαρύς corresponds to several Hebrew terms that convey similar meanings of heaviness or burdensomeness. Notable entries include:

• כָּבֵד (kaved) [Strong's Hebrew 3515]: Often translated as "heavy" or "weighty," used in contexts of physical weight and metaphorical burdens.
• מַשָּׂא (massa) [Strong's Hebrew 4853]: Meaning "burden" or "load," used to describe both literal and figurative burdens.

These Hebrew terms, like βαρύς, emphasize the concept of weightiness, whether in physical, emotional, or spiritual contexts, and are integral to understanding the biblical perspective on burdens and responsibilities.

Usage: In the New Testament, βαρύς is used to describe physical weight, as well as metaphorical heaviness, such as burdens or difficult circumstances. It can also refer to the severity or intensity of a situation or condition.

Context: The term βαρύς appears in several contexts within the New Testament, illustrating both literal and figurative uses. In Matthew 23:4, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for tying up "heavy burdens" and placing them on others' shoulders, highlighting the oppressive nature of their legalistic demands. In Acts 20:29, Paul warns of "savage wolves" that will come in among the believers, not sparing the flock, indicating a grievous threat to the church. The word is also used in 2 Corinthians 10:10, where Paul's letters are described as "weighty and forceful," suggesting a seriousness and authority in his written communication.

The concept of βαρύς extends beyond physical heaviness to encompass emotional and spiritual burdens. It reflects the challenges and trials that believers may face, as well as the responsibility of leaders to avoid placing undue burdens on others. The term serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding in the exercise of authority and the sharing of burdens within the Christian community.

Forms and Transliterations

βαρεα βαρέα βαρεί βαρεία βαρειαι βαρείαι βαρεῖαι βαρείαν βαρείας βαρεις βαρείς βαρεῖς βαρέος βαρύ βαρύν βαρύς βαρυτερα βαρυτέρα βαρύτερα βαρύτερος barea baréa bareiai bareîai bareis bareîs barutera barytera barýtera

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 23:4 Adj-ANP
GRK: δὲ φορτία βαρέα καὶ δυσβάστακτα
NAS: They tie up heavy burdens and lay
KJV: For they bind heavy burdens and
INT: moreover burdens heavy and hard to bear

Matthew 23:23 Adj-ANP-C
GRK: ἀφήκατε τὰ βαρύτερα τοῦ νόμου
NAS: and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law:
KJV: have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law,
INT: you have neglected the weightier [matters] of the law

Acts 20:29 Adj-NMP
GRK: μου λύκοι βαρεῖς εἰς ὑμᾶς
NAS: my departure savage wolves
KJV: departing shall grievous wolves
INT: of me wolves grevious among you

Acts 25:7 Adj-ANP
GRK: πολλὰ καὶ βαρέα αἰτιώματα καταφέροντες
NAS: many and serious charges
KJV: many and grievous complaints
INT: many and weighty charges bringing

2 Corinthians 10:10 Adj-NFP
GRK: μέν φησίν βαρεῖαι καὶ ἰσχυραί
NAS: His letters are weighty and strong,
KJV: say they, [are] weighty and
INT: indeed they say [are] weighty and strong

1 John 5:3 Adj-NFP
GRK: ἐντολαὶ αὐτοῦ βαρεῖαι οὐκ εἰσίν
NAS: and His commandments are not burdensome.
KJV: are not grievous.
INT: commandments of him burdensome not are

Strong's Greek 926
6 Occurrences

βαρέα — 2 Occ.
βαρεῖαι — 2 Occ.
βαρεῖς — 1 Occ.
βαρύτερα — 1 Occ.