Brief Overview of βαστάζω (G941: bastazō)

1. Overview

βαστάζω (bastazō), pronounced “bas-TAH-zo,” is a Greek verb that primarily means “to bear,” “to carry,” or “to support.” The word has its origins in classical Greek and is used extensively in both the Septuagint and the New Testament. The root of bastazō is thought to be related to the concept of lifting or taking up, and it can be used in both a literal and figurative sense. Literally, bastazō refers to the physical act of carrying or bearing a load, while figuratively, it can describe bearing a burden, whether emotional, spiritual, or moral.

2. Lexical Details

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich) provides a thorough analysis of bastazō, highlighting its varied usage in different contexts. BDAG identifies the primary meanings of bastazō as “to lift up” or “to carry,” but also notes its metaphorical usage, such as bearing with someone’s weaknesses or enduring hardship. The lexicon emphasizes that in the New Testament, bastazō is often used to describe the act of bearing burdens in a communal or spiritual sense, such as supporting one another in times of trial.

Thayer’s Lexicon aligns with BDAG in emphasizing the dual application of bastazō. Thayer’s notes that the term can be used both in the physical sense of carrying something and in the figurative sense of enduring or sustaining something, particularly in a moral or spiritual context. Thayer’s also highlights the word’s use in passages that describe bearing the burdens of others, as seen in several Pauline epistles.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary also focuses on the broader implications of bastazō, particularly its figurative meanings. Vine’s points out that bastazō is often used to describe the act of bearing with patience or enduring something difficult, such as the weaknesses or sins of others. The dictionary also notes that the term can imply a sense of responsibility or duty in bearing these burdens.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) traces the classical usage of bastazō, indicating that the word was commonly used to describe physical acts of carrying or lifting. LSJ also notes that in classical literature, the term could extend to the idea of sustaining or supporting something or someone, a usage that carried into later Greek and biblical texts.

Biblical references:

• John 19:17: “And He, bearing (βαστάζων) His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.” Here, bastazō is used in its literal sense, describing Jesus carrying His cross to the place of crucifixion.
• Galatians 6:2: “Bear (βαστάζετε) one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” In this verse, bastazō is used metaphorically, instructing believers to support each other in times of trouble, thus fulfilling Christ’s command to love one another.
• Romans 15:1: “We who are strong ought to bear (βαστάζειν) with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” This passage uses bastazō in a figurative sense, urging the strong to support the weak within the Christian community.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, bastazō was frequently used to describe the act of carrying or lifting something, often in a physical sense.

• Homer, Iliad: In Homer’s Iliad, bastazō is used to describe warriors carrying their shields and weapons into battle, illustrating the physical burden of war.
• Herodotus, Histories: Herodotus uses bastazō to describe the carrying of supplies and provisions during long journeys, emphasizing the practical aspects of survival in ancient times.
• Plato, Republic: Plato employs bastazō metaphorically to discuss the moral and ethical burdens carried by individuals in a just society, reflecting the idea of supporting the common good.

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These examples from classical literature demonstrate the word’s versatility, both in its literal application to physical burdens and its metaphorical extension to moral and ethical responsibilities.

4. Summary

The Greek verb bastazō (G941) encompasses a wide range of meanings, from the physical act of carrying or bearing a load to the more abstract idea of enduring or sustaining burdens, whether they be emotional, spiritual, or moral. Lexical sources such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and Vine’s highlight the word’s usage in both literal and figurative contexts, particularly within the New Testament, where it often describes the Christian duty to bear one another’s burdens. Classical Greek literature similarly employs bastazō in both physical and metaphorical senses, illustrating the word’s deep roots in Greek thought and culture. Whether describing the physical act of carrying a cross or the moral responsibility of supporting others, bastazō remains a powerful term that conveys the importance of endurance, support, and mutual responsibility.