Lexical Summary katabareo: To weigh down, to burden Original Word: καταβαρέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burden. From kata and bareo; to impose upon -- burden. see GREEK kata see GREEK bareo HELPS Word-studies 2599 katabaréō (2596 /katá, "all the way down," which intensifies 916 /baréō, "to burden") – to burden – literally, "all the way down," to a critical or oppressive degree (especially financially) – i.e. excessively (destructively) burden. 2599 /katabaréō ("burden down") is only used in 2 Cor 12:16. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2599: καταβαρέωκαταβαρέω, καταβάρω: 1 aorist κατεβάρησα; properly, to press down by an imposed weight; to weigh down; metaphorically, to burden: τινα, anyone, 2 Corinthians 12:16. (Polybius, Diodorus Siculus, Appian, Lucian) STRONGS NT 2599a: καταβαρύνωκαταβαρύνω: equivalent to καταβαρέω (which see); present passive participle καταβαρυνόμενος, Mark 14:40 L T Tr WH; see βαρέω. (the Sept.; Theophrastus, et al.) Topical Lexicon The Motif of Being “Weighed Down”Strong’s Greek 2599 (καταβαρύνω) pictures a downward pressure, whether physical, emotional, or financial. Scripture employs the term sparingly, yet its two occurrences illuminate key themes: the call to spiritual alertness in the Gospels and the ethical handling of material support in apostolic ministry. Old Testament Echoes Hebrew writers often speak of the soul being “bowed down” (Psalm 42:6) or of iniquities that are “a heavy burden” (Psalm 38:4). The Septuagint frequently uses βαρύνω (bareunō) for such imagery, preparing readers for the intensified New Testament form with the prefix κατά, indicating a thorough and pressing weight. The Garden of Gethsemane: Physical Drowsiness and Spiritual Lethargy Mark 14:40 records, “Again He returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him”. The weight here is literal—eyelids drooping from exhaustion after a late Passover meal—yet it also exposes a deeper spiritual inertia. While Jesus agonizes in prayer, the disciples yield to bodily heaviness. The scene illustrates: • The urgency of watchfulness when the hour of testing approaches. Gethsemane thus establishes καταβαρύνω as a warning sign: the creeping weight of the flesh can smother vigilance unless countered by prayer. Pauline Integrity: Refusing to Burden the Corinthians In 2 Corinthians 12:16 Paul writes, “Be that as it may, I was not a burden to you. But being crafty, I caught you by trickery”. Here the apostle uses the aorist form κατεβάρησα to deny imposing a financial load on the church. The context reveals several layers of significance: 1. Apostolic freedom: Paul works with his hands (2 Corinthians 11:9) to avoid any appearance of profiteering. Thus καταβαρύνω shifts from bodily heaviness in Mark to economic weight in Corinthians, yet both uses spotlight the need to remain unhindered for God’s purposes. Theological and Devotional Insights • Burden versus rest: While καταβαρύνω depicts oppressive weight, Jesus offers rest for souls (Matthew 11:28–30). The contrast underscores the gospel’s liberating power. Pastoral Application 1. Encourage congregations to practice rhythms of prayer and watchfulness, especially when tempted to complacency. Summary Though appearing only twice, καταβαρύνω vividly portrays the oppressive forces that hinder discipleship—whether sleepy eyes in a garden or potential monetary strain in a church. The term therefore invites believers to cast every weight on the Lord and to serve others without placing unnecessary loads upon them. Forms and Transliterations καταβαρυνθώμεν καταβαρυνομενοι καταβαρυνόμενοι κατεβαρησα κατεβάρησα κατεβαρύνετο katabarunomenoi katabarynomenoi katabarynómenoi katebaresa katebarēsa katebáresa katebárēsaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 14:40 V-PPM/P-NMPGRK: οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ καταβαρυνόμενοι καὶ οὐκ INT: the eyes heavy and not 2 Corinthians 12:16 V-AIA-1S Strong's Greek 2599 |