Original Word: עָמַס
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `amac
Pronunciation: ah-MAS
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-mas')
KJV: be borne, (heavy) burden (self), lade, load, put
NASB: loaded, bears our burden, borne, burdensome, lift, loading, took their load
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to load, i.e. impose a burden (or figuratively, infliction)

be borne, heavy burden self, lade, load, put

Or mamas {aw-mas'}; a primitive root; to load, i.e. Impose a burden (or figuratively, infliction) -- be borne, (heavy) burden (self), lade, load, put.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to load, carry a load
NASB Translation
bears our burden (1), borne (1), burdensome (1), lift (1), loaded (3), loading (1), took their load (1).

[עָמַס, ?עָמַשׂ] verb 1. load.

2 carry a load (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician עמס carry; compare possibly Arabic gravis et obscurus fuit dies (Frey)); —

Qal Imperfect3masculine singular וַיַּעֲמֹס Genesis 44:13, יַעֲמָסֿ Psalm 68:20; Participle active עֹמְסִים Nehemiah 13:15; עֹמְשִׂים Nehemiah 4:11 (but see below); suffix עֹמְסֶיהָ Zechariah 12:3; passive עֲמֻסִים Isaiah 46:3, עֲמוּסוֺת Isaiah 46:1; —

1 load (object omitted) upon (עַל) ass Genesis 44:13 (E), Nehemiah 13:15; so absolute Nehemiah 4:11, literally, si vera lectio (see BeRy Ryle); but read probably חֲמֻשִׁים Ry^Kau.

2 carry a load Psalm 68:20 (׳י, for (ל) his people), carry as a load Zechariah 12:3 (figurative), passive Isaiah 46:1 (literal), Isaiah 46:3 (figurative). **

Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular הֶעְמִיס 1 Kings 12:11 load upon (accusative of thing + עַל person) = 2 Chron 10:11.

Root Idea of Loading and Bearing

עָמַס pictures the act of placing a weight upon someone or something, whether a literal load upon a beast of burden or an oppressive yoke upon a people. The verb may describe the simple task of “loading” (Genesis 44:13) or the grim imposition of heavier demands (1 Kings 12:11). It can also portray the gracious, divine reversal whereby God Himself “bears” what His people cannot (Psalm 68:19).

Occurrences across Redemptive History

1. Patriarchal narrative – Genesis 44:13 records Joseph’s brothers who “loaded their donkeys” after Benjamin’s cup is discovered. The verse evokes anxious haste: the donkeys are burdened, and so are the guilty consciences of the brothers.

2. Divided Kingdom – Rehoboam threatens, “I will add to your yoke” (1 Kings 12:11; repeated in 2 Chronicles 10:11). עָמַס becomes a symbol of political tyranny; a king who should shepherd his flock instead crushes them with heavier impositions. The northern tribes’ revolt follows, warning every ruler against oppressive governance.

3. Restoration Era – Nehemiah twice uses the verb. Builders “carried materials” while holding weapons (Nehemiah 4:17), combining toil with vigilance. Later he rebukes merchants who “were loading them on donkeys” on the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:15). Both texts stress covenant faithfulness: labor is honorable, but Sabbath holiness must not be “loaded” with commercial concerns.

4. Worship and comfort – “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden” (Psalm 68:19). Here עָמַס reverses direction; instead of humans bearing loads, the covenant God lifts them. Salvation history is therefore framed by a God who rescues people from crushing loads—ultimately fulfilled in Matthew 11:28-30.

5. Prophetic contrast – Isaiah 46:1 pictures idols that must be “borne as loads on weary animals,” whereas verse 3 assures Israel, “you whom I have upheld since your birth and carried from the womb.” False gods burden their worshipers; the true God carries His own.

6. Eschatological warning – “I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone … all who try to lift it will injure themselves” (Zechariah 12:3). Nations seeking to impose their will upon Jerusalem will find the burden unmanageable. The verb becomes a prophetic caution: opposition to God’s plan inflicts self-wounding weight.

The God Who Bears vs. Idols That Burden

Isaiah’s pairing of verses 1 and 3 provides the theological heart of עָמַס. Bel and Nebo stoop; they must be carted off. In stark contrast, the Lord “carries” Israel. Everywhere פֶסֶל (carved images) imposes; יְהוָה relieves. This antithesis strengthens confidence that the God of Scripture alone possesses strength to uphold His people.

Human Oppression and Social Justice

Rehoboam’s over-taxation and the Sabbath violations in Nehemiah demonstrate how leaders and merchants misuse power. Scripture condemns any system that straps needless loads on others (compare Matthew 23:4). The verb therefore undergirds prophetic calls to righteous governance, fair labor practices, and genuine rest.

Sabbath Rest and the Weight of Commerce

Nehemiah 13:15 ties עָמַס to Sabbath transgression. The pursuit of profit generated literal and figurative overload. God’s design frees His people from relentless striving, reminding Christian ministries today that ceaseless activity can become a burden God never intended.

Prophetic Weight of Jerusalem

Zechariah 12:3 shifts the burden back onto hostile nations. The city God chooses is immovable except by His hand. Attempts to “lift” it are futile and harmful, affirming divine sovereignty over end-time events and calling believers to pray for Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

Devotional and Ministry Insights

• Cast burdens: Psalm 68:19 anticipates 1 Peter 5:7. What God commands (“Cast all your anxiety on Him”) He has already modeled—He daily carries.
• Share burdens: Nehemiah’s builders illustrate the balance of bearing loads together while watching in prayer, informing every ministry team.
• Resist oppressive leadership: Rehoboam’s failure warns churches and nations that authority exists to serve, not crush.
• Guard true worship: Isaiah 46 urges believers to reject modern idols that demand continual carrying—whether addictions, materialism, or self-reliance—and to rest in the God who carries them.

Thus עָמַס weaves a rich tapestry: from anxious brothers in Egypt to eschatological events in Jerusalem, Scripture reveals a God who alone shoulders the loads His people cannot bear, inviting them to lay every burden upon Him.

הֶעְמִ֤יס הַֽעֲמֻסִים֙ העמיס העמסים וְֽעֹמְסִ֪ים וַֽיַּעֲמֹס֙ ויעמס ועמסים יַֽעֲמָס־ יעמס־ עֲמוּס֔וֹת עֹמְסֶ֖יהָ עֹמְשִׂ֑ים עמוסות עמסיה עמשים ‘ă·mū·sō·wṯ ‘ămūsōwṯ ‘ō·mə·se·hā ‘ō·mə·śîm ‘ōməsehā ‘ōməśîm amuSot ha‘ămusîm ha·‘ă·mu·sîm haamuSim he‘·mîs he‘mîs heMis omeSeiha omeSim vaiyaaMos veomeSim way·ya·‘ă·mōs wayya‘ămōs wə‘ōməsîm wə·‘ō·mə·sîm ya‘ămās- ya·‘ă·mās- yaamosInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts