Brief Overview of Βαρέως (G917: Bareōs)

1. Overview

Βαρέως (Bareōs) is an adverb derived from the Greek verb βαρέω (bareō), which means “to burden” or “to weigh down.” The adverb Bareōs literally translates to “heavily,” “severely,” or “grievously.” It emphasizes the intensity or severity of an action or condition, often conveying the idea of something being done with great weight or difficulty. This term is used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, highlighting the heaviness or intensity of a situation or action.

2. Lexical Details

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In BDAG (Bauer-Danker Lexicon), Bareōs is defined as an adverb meaning “heavily” or “grievously.” It is used to describe actions or situations that are intense or difficult to bear. Thayer’s Lexicon also highlights the adverb’s usage in contexts where something is done with significant effort or causes great discomfort. Vine’s Expository Dictionary agrees with this interpretation, noting that Bareōs often appears in scenarios where the intensity of an action is being emphasized. LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon) expands on this by mentioning that in classical Greek, Bareōs could describe not only physical heaviness but also emotional or mental burdens.

Biblical references:

• Mark 14:40: “And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy (bareōs); and they did not know what to answer him.” In this verse, Bareōs is used to describe the physical heaviness and exhaustion the disciples experienced, rendering them unable to stay awake during Jesus’ time of distress.
• Acts 20:9: “And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep (bareōs), he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.” Here, Bareōs is employed to describe the deep, overwhelming sleep that overcame Eutychus, leading to his fall.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, Bareōs was used in various contexts to describe actions or situations of great intensity or difficulty.

1. Homer, “Odyssey”: Bareōs is used to describe the heavy burden of sorrow that Odysseus carries during his long journey home.
2. Sophocles, “Antigone”: The term is used to express the severe grief and heavy burden of fate that Antigone endures as she defies the king’s decree.
3. Plato, “Gorgias”: In this dialogue, Bareōs is used to describe the intense difficulty and weight of the moral and philosophical discussions that take place, reflecting the heavy nature of the topics being debated.

4. Summary

Βαρέως (Bareōs) is a Greek adverb that emphasizes the severity, intensity, or heaviness of an action or condition. Derived from the verb bareō, which means “to burden” or “weigh down,” this word is used to convey the sense of something being done with great effort, difficulty, or under significant strain. In the New Testament, Bareōs is used in contexts where physical or emotional heaviness is highlighted, such as in describing the disciples’ exhaustion or Eutychus’s deep sleep. In classical Greek literature, Bareōs was employed to convey the weight of grief, sorrow, or intense discussion, underscoring the burden of the human experience. Understanding the usage of Bareōs provides deeper insight into the expressions of heaviness and intensity in both biblical and classical texts.