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Bible Dictionaries
Burden, Weight
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or The words βάρος and φορτίον are both translated 'burden.' The difference between the two words is that with βάρος (from βαρύς, 'heavy') the burden is always heavy and oppressive; whereas the idea in φορτίον (from φέρω, 'to carry') is that it has to be carried, as freight, baggage, etc., though it need not be heavy; as the burden was which the Jewish leaders laid on others, Matthew 23:4; Luke 11:46; or it may be light, as the Lord says, "My burden is light." Matthew 11:30 .
In Galatians 6:2,5 both words are employed: "Bear ye one another's burdens (βά.) . . . . for every man shall bear his own burden (φο.)' We may and should in sympathy bear one another's troubles, and so on; but each one is responsible for his own 'bundle:' he cannot transfer it to another.
Those who had laboured for twelve hours complained of the burden (βάρος) they had borne. Matthew 20:12 . The word is employed also in 2 Corinthians 4:17 for the "exceeding and eternal 'weight' of glory" which the apostle looked forward to in contrast with "our light affliction.'
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Morrish, George. Entry for 'Burden, Weight'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/b/burden-weight.html. 1897.
