The term "cumbered" is used in the Bible to describe a state of being burdened, distracted, or hindered by various concerns or activities. It is most notably found in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Luke, where it is used to describe Martha's state of mind as she is preoccupied with her duties.

Biblical Reference:

· Luke 10:40 : "But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!'"

In this passage, the word "cumbered" is translated as "distracted" in the Berean Standard Bible. Martha is described as being overwhelmed by the tasks of hospitality and service, which leads her to express frustration to Jesus. Her preoccupation with these duties causes her to miss the opportunity to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teachings, as her sister Mary does.

Theological Implications:

The use of "cumbered" in this context highlights the tension between service and devotion. While service is a vital aspect of Christian life, this passage suggests that it should not overshadow the importance of spiritual growth and communion with Christ. Martha's cumbered state serves as a cautionary example of how even good and necessary activities can become a distraction from what is most important—fellowship with the Lord.

Practical Application:

For believers, the account of Martha and Mary serves as a reminder to prioritize their relationship with God above all else. It encourages Christians to evaluate their own lives and consider whether they are "cumbered" by the busyness of life, potentially at the expense of their spiritual well-being. This passage calls for a balance between active service and contemplative devotion, urging believers to find time to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His word.

Related Concepts:

· Anxiety and Worry: The state of being cumbered is often associated with anxiety and worry, which are addressed elsewhere in Scripture. Jesus teaches against worry in passages such as Matthew 6:25-34, emphasizing trust in God's provision.

· Prioritization of Spiritual Matters: The account of Martha and Mary underscores the importance of prioritizing spiritual matters over worldly concerns. This theme is echoed in passages like Matthew 6:33, which encourages seeking first the kingdom of God.

· Balance in Christian Life: The concept of being cumbered invites reflection on the balance between work and worship, service and study, action and contemplation. It challenges believers to ensure that their service does not become a hindrance to their spiritual growth.

In summary, the term "cumbered" in the biblical context serves as a poignant reminder of the potential pitfalls of being overly occupied with worldly tasks, urging believers to maintain a focus on their relationship with Christ.(imp. & p. p.) of Cumber.CUMBER; CUMBERED

kum'-ber, (katargeo, "to make idle," perispaomai, "to be drawn about," in mind "to be distracted"): Spoken of the barren fig tree in the parable: "Cut it down; why doth it also cumber (block up, make unproductive) the ground?" (Luke 13:7). Cumbered means to be over-occupied with cares or business, distracted: "But Martha was cumbered about much serving" (Luke 10:40). The word cumbrance occurs only in Deuteronomy 1:12: "How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance?" (Torach, "an encumbrance," "a burden"). Compare Isaiah 1:14, where the Revised Version, margin has "cumbrance," the Revised Version (British and American) "trouble."

Jesus and the Bethany Sisters.
... "Martha was cumbered about much serving." A marginal reading gives, "was distracted.".
Perhaps there are many modern Christian housekeepers ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter x jesus and the.htm

Let it be Supposed, that Our Lord was to Come Again for a While In ...
... supposed, that our Lord was to come again for a while in the flesh, and that his
coming was for this end, to do that for the Christian world cumbered with much ...
/.../address 76 0 0 let it be.htm

Passages Referring to Bethany in the Sacred Narrative.
... But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord,
dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/passages referring to bethany in.htm

What a Friend we have in Jesus!
... Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak
and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/what a friend we have.htm

His Marriage with Martha Savory.
... time and thoughts have been much occupied in fitting up our intended residence at
the cottage at Burton; and I may truly say, I have been cumbered about "many ...
/.../chapter vii his marriage with.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... She has even cumbered herself about much-serving for His sake, giving Him not only
necessaries but dainties, and will He not give her what is so desirable to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

Swooning and Reviving Christ's Feet.
... We are not here as ministers, cumbered with much serving, but we now sit
at His feet with Mary, or lean on His bosom with John. ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/swooning and reviving christs feet.htm

Jesus, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus
... But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord,
dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/jesus martha mary and lazarus.htm

Second Sermon for Epiphany
... the soul is stirred, and a strong craving springs up in it; and the more this deepest
ground of the soul is laid bare, and all that occupied and cumbered it is ...
/.../vi second sermon for epiphany.htm

The Sluggard's Reproof
... He thought it his duty to reprove them a second time by saying, "Martha is cumbered
with much serving, but I have chosen the good part which shall not be taken ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the sluggards reproof.htm

Cumbered (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Cumber. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CUMBER; CUMBERED. ... Multi-Version Concordance Cumbered (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/cumbered.htm - 7k

Cumber (1 Occurrence)
... embarrass; to trouble. 2. (v.) Trouble; embarrassment; distress. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. CUMBER; CUMBERED. kum'-ber, (katargeo ...
/c/cumber.htm - 7k

Jacob's (34 Occurrences)
... A series of buildings of various styles, and of different ages, have cumbered the
ground, choked up the well, and disfigured the natural beauty and simplicity ...
/j/jacob's.htm - 23k

Martha (12 Occurrences)
... Martha, whose sense of responsibility as hostess weighed heavily upon her, was
"cumbered about much serving," and her indignation was aroused at the lack of ...
/m/martha.htm - 16k

Bid (35 Occurrences)
... Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said,
Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? ...
/b/bid.htm - 18k

Cumbereth (1 Occurrence)

/c/cumbereth.htm - 6k

Mary (50 Occurrences)
... She is contrasted with her sister Martha, who was "cumbered about many things" while
Jesus was their guest, while Mary had chosen "the good part." Her ...
/m/mary.htm - 72k

Year (4027 Occurrences)
... Not that the institution in itself was cumbered with any obstacles that could not
have been overcome; but what is more common than unbelief and unwillingness ...
/y/year.htm - 26k

Leave (341 Occurrences)
... Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and
said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? ...
/l/leave.htm - 35k

Balaam (62 Occurrences)
... the wages of unrighteousness, and yet a man who in one supreme moment of his life
surrendered himself to God's holy Spirit; a person cumbered with superstition ...
/b/balaam.htm - 38k

Cumbered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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