BEAR; BORNE

bar, born (nasa'; lambano, anaphero, bastazo): In English Versions of the Bible the physical sense is familiar, of supporting or carrying any weight or burden. The translation of the Revised Version (British and American) is to be preferred in Psalms 75:3 ("have set up"); Lamentations 3:28 ("hath laid it upon him"); Zephaniah 1:11 ("were laden with silver"); Luke 18:7 ("he is longsuffering over them"); John 12:6 ("took away what was put therein"); Acts 27:15 ("could not face the wind").

Figurative: The words are used in the figurative sense of enduring or taking the consequences of, be it for oneself or as representative for others: one's own iniquity (Leviticus 5:17 and often); chastisement (Job 34:31); reproach (Psalms 69:7; 89:50); or the sins of others (Isaiah 53:4,11-12; Matthew 8:17; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24). In Isaiah 46:1-7 a striking contrast is presented between the idols of Babylon whom their worshippers had carried (borne) about and which would be borne away by the conquerors, and Yahweh who had ca rried (borne) Israel from the beginning. "Jacob and Israel .... borne by me from their birth .... and I will bear; yea, I will carry." "They bear it upon the shoulder," etc.

M. O. Evans

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.