1. Overview

βαρύνω (barýnō), transliterated as “bah-RU-no,” is a Greek verb derived from the root word βαρύς (barýs), which means “heavy” or “weighty.” The verb itself carries the primary meanings of “to weigh down,” “to burden,” or “to make heavy.” This can be interpreted both in a literal sense, such as physically weighing something down, or in a metaphorical sense, referring to causing someone to feel burdened or oppressed. The word appears in various contexts throughout the New Testament, often used to describe emotional, spiritual, or physical heaviness or fatigue.

2. Lexical Details

In BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich), barýnō is explained as having both literal and figurative applications. Literally, it means “to make heavy,” such as in the context of weighing something down physically. Figuratively, it can mean to “oppress,” “burden,” or “weigh down” in a more abstract sense, such as burdening someone with responsibility or causing them emotional stress. BDAG also notes that the term can be used in medical contexts, implying the onset of physical ailments or weariness.

Thayer’s Lexicon offers a similar interpretation, emphasizing the metaphorical usage of barýnō in the New Testament. Thayer notes that the word often conveys the idea of being weighed down by grief, care, or other emotional burdens. The lexicon references passages where the word is used to describe the effects of overindulgence or excessive anxiety on the human spirit.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary concurs with BDAG and Thayer but adds that barýnō can also be related to the concept of being “fatigued” or “overcome” by weariness, whether physical or spiritual. Vine’s highlights the word’s appearance in contexts where individuals are described as being overwhelmed by life’s pressures.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) focuses on the more classical usage of the word, tracing its meanings back to earlier Greek literature where barýnō often described physical heaviness, such as the literal act of weighing down objects. However, LSJ also acknowledges its metaphorical use in later Greek, consistent with the broader lexicographical understanding.

Biblical references:

• Luke 21:34: “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down (βαρυνθῶσιν) with dissipation, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you unexpectedly.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:4: “For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened (βαρυνόμενοι), not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.”

These passages reflect the New Testament’s use of barýnō in both literal and figurative senses, illustrating the emotional and spiritual burdens that weigh down individuals.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, barýnō primarily appeared in contexts where the literal act of making something heavy was described. However, by the Hellenistic period, the word had also developed figurative connotations.

Examples from ancient literature include:

• Homer’s Iliad: barýnō is used in the context of physical burden, describing the weight of armor or a load carried by warriors.
• Hippocrates: The term is found in medical texts where it describes the physical symptoms of disease, such as heaviness in the limbs or fatigue due to illness.
• Sophocles’ Ajax: barýnō is employed metaphorically to describe the mental and emotional weight carried by the protagonist, reflecting the shift from purely physical to psychological burdens.

These examples underscore the versatility of the term in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

4. Summary

βαρύνω (barýnō), meaning “to weigh down” or “to burden,” is a Greek verb with both literal and figurative applications. Rooted in the word βαρύς (barýs), meaning “heavy,” the term is used in the New Testament to describe various forms of heaviness, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Lexical sources like BDAG, Thayer’s, and Vine’s emphasize its usage in contexts that highlight the burdens of life, whether through care, responsibility, or physical fatigue. Classical Greek literature also shows the word’s broad application, from describing literal physical weight to more abstract concepts of mental and emotional heaviness. Barýnō serves as a poignant descriptor of the human condition, illustrating the weight that life’s challenges can impose on both body and soul.