2599. katabareo
Lexical Summary
katabareo: To weigh down, to burden

Original Word: καταβαρέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katabareo
Pronunciation: kat-ab-ar-EH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ab-ar-eh'-o)
KJV: burden
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and G916 (βαρέω - burdened)]

1. to impose upon

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: καταβαρέω

καταβαρέω, 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.
• The danger of letting legitimate physical needs override spiritual priorities.
• The compassion of Christ, who gently rouses them despite their failure.

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.
2. Pastoral sensitivity: New believers emerging from pagan patronage systems might misinterpret legitimate support as manipulation.
3. Strategic humility: By foregoing his right to material aid, Paul disarms critics and highlights the gospel’s generosity.

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.
• Alertness in prayer: Gethsemane warns believers to resist the dulling influence of fatigue, distraction, and sorrow (cf. Luke 21:34).
• Stewardship and accountability: Paul models financial transparency, urging ministers today to remove every stumbling block (1 Thessalonians 2:5–9).

Pastoral Application

1. Encourage congregations to practice rhythms of prayer and watchfulness, especially when tempted to complacency.
2. Implement clear financial policies in ministry, mirroring Paul’s refusal to “weigh down” the flock.
3. Offer counsel to those oppressed by guilt or worldly cares, pointing them to Christ who lifts burdens.

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 katebárēsa
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Mark 14:40 V-PPM/P-NMP
GRK: οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ καταβαρυνόμενοι καὶ οὐκ
INT: the eyes heavy and not

2 Corinthians 12:16 V-AIA-1S
GRK: ἐγὼ οὐ κατεβάρησα ὑμᾶς ἀλλὰ
NAS: But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself;
KJV: did not burden you: nevertheless,
INT: I not did burden you but

Strong's Greek 2599
2 Occurrences


καταβαρυνόμενοι — 1 Occ.
κατεβάρησα — 1 Occ.

2598
Top of Page
Top of Page