The term "laden" is often used in the Bible to describe a state of being burdened or heavily loaded, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. It conveys the idea of carrying a weight that is difficult to bear, and it is frequently used in a metaphorical sense to describe the human condition under sin, guilt, or the cares of life.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of being laden is often associated with the burdens of sin and the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments. For example, in Isaiah 1:4, the prophet laments the sinful state of Israel: "Woe to a sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel; they are utterly estranged." Here, the term "laden" underscores the heavy burden of sin that the nation carries, which leads to estrangement from God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses those who are "laden" with burdens, offering them rest and relief. In Matthew 11:28-30 , Jesus extends an invitation: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." This passage highlights the compassionate nature of Christ, who offers to exchange the heavy burdens of life for His lighter, more manageable yoke.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the concept of being laden with burdens in Galatians 6:2 , where he instructs believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This reflects the Christian duty to support one another, sharing the load of life's difficulties and thus fulfilling the command to love one's neighbor.

Spiritual Implications

Theologically, the state of being laden is often interpreted as the human condition under the weight of sin and the law. The Bible presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate burden-bearer, who takes upon Himself the sins of the world. In 1 Peter 2:24 , it is written, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His stripes you are healed." This act of atonement is central to Christian belief, offering believers freedom from the burdens of sin and the promise of eternal rest.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the concept of being laden encourages believers to seek relief from their burdens through faith in Christ and to support one another in community. It serves as a reminder of the importance of casting one's cares upon the Lord, as instructed in 1 Peter 5:7 : "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." This act of trust and reliance on God is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, providing peace and assurance amidst life's challenges.(p. & a.) Loaded; freighted; burdened; as, a laden vessel; a laden heart.5412. phortizo -- to load
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phortizo Phonetic Spelling: (for-tid'-zo)
Short Definition: I load, burden Definition: I load, burden; pass: I am laden. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5412.htm - 6k5187. natil -- laden
... laden. Transliteration: natil Phonetic Spelling: (net-eel') Short Definition: weigh.
Word Origin from natal Definition laden NASB Word Usage weigh (1). laden. ...
/hebrew/5187.htm - 6k

3515. kabed -- heavy
... down (1). so great, grievous, hardened, too heavier, laden, much, slow, sore,.
From kabad; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous ...
/hebrew/3515.htm - 6k

6231. ashaq -- to oppress, wrong, extort
... root Definition to oppress, wrong, extort NASB Word Usage crushed (1), defrauded
(2), extorted (1), got (1), laden (1), oppress (11), oppressed (9), oppresses ...
/hebrew/6231.htm - 6k

Heavy Laden with Thy Grief,
... EASTER Heavy laden with thy grief,. 7,7,7,3 tr., John Brownlie. I. Heavy
laden with thy grief,. Do thy tears like raindrops flow? ...
/.../brownlie/hymns from the east/heavy laden with thy grief.htm

Heavy Laden with Thy Grief,
... PASSIONTIDE X Heavy laden with thy grief,. 7,7,7,3. Heavy laden with thy grief,.
Do thy tears like raindrops flow? Christ hath all thy sorrows borne,. Long ago. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/x heavy laden with thy.htm

Again on the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 28, "Come unto Me, all ...
... Sermon XX. Again on the words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 28, "Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," etc. [LXX. Ben.] ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xx again on the.htm

Christ the Only Rest for the Weary and Heavy-Laden
... Christ the Only Rest for the Weary and Heavy-Laden. Matthew 11:28 " "Come unto me,
all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the only rest for.htm

Blessed be the Messenger that was Laden, and Came
... Hymn VI. Blessed be the Messenger that was laden, and came. Blessed be
the Messenger that was laden, and came; a great peace! The ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vi blessed be the.htm

St. Matthias' Day. Come unto Me, all Ye that Labour and are Heavy ...
... Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/st matthias day come unto.htm

Thus, "Come unto Me, all Ye that are Weary and Heavy Laden...
... [Way-1-55] Thus, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden?
Thus, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-55 thus come unto me.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 28, "Come unto Me, all Ye ...
... Sermon XIX. On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 28, "Come unto me, all
ye that labour and are heavy laden," etc. [LXIX. Ben.] ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xix on the words.htm

Anonymous. The Weary and Heavy-Laden.
... The Weary and Heavy-Laden. ... 3 Come, ye weary, heavy laden; Wait not,"'tis your Saviour's
call; If you tarry till you're better, You will never come at all. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/161 8 7 & 4s.htm

Weary of Self, and Laden with My Sin
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Ash Wednesday and Lent 129. Weary of self, and laden with
my sin. Four 10's ... Samuel J. Stone, 1866. Weary of self, and laden with my sin,. ...
/.../ash wednesday and lent 129.htm

Laden (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. & a.) Loaded; freighted; burdened; as, a laden vessel;
a laden heart. Multi-Version Concordance Laden (14 Occurrences). ...
/l/laden.htm - 10k

Spice-laden (1 Occurrence)
Spice-laden. Spiced, Spice-laden. Spice-merchants . Multi-Version
Concordance Spice-laden (1 Occurrence). Song of Songs ...
/s/spice-laden.htm - 6k

Heavy-laden (1 Occurrence)
Heavy-laden. Heavy, Heavy-laden. Hebel . Multi-Version Concordance
Heavy-laden (1 Occurrence). Matthew 11:28 "Come to ...
/h/heavy-laden.htm - 6k

Victual (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner: ten asses laden with
the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with grain and bread and ...
/v/victual.htm - 8k

Asses (68 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with
the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat ...
/a/asses.htm - 29k

She-asses (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner: ten asses laden with
the good things of Egypt, and ten she-asses laden with grain and bread and ...
/s/she-asses.htm - 8k

Corn (107 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with
the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat ...
/c/corn.htm - 41k

Heavy (110 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Laden with that which is weighty; encumbered; burdened; bowed down,
either with an actual burden, or with care, grief, pain, disappointment. ...
/h/heavy.htm - 44k

Meat (387 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with
the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat ...
/m/meat.htm - 36k

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