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H6006 · Hebrew · Old Testament
עָמַס
amas
Verb
to load, carry a burden, bear

Definition

Amas (עָמַס) means to load, burden, or carry a heavy load. It appears about 9 times in the Old Testament and is used of laden animals, burdens placed on people, and in the powerful Psalm 68:19 where God is the one who 'daily bears our burdens.' The noun massa (burden) is related in concept though from a different root.

Usage & Theological Significance

Psalm 68:19 is the theological crown of amas: 'Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up — the God who is our salvation.' The imagery is of a pack animal bearing a heavy load — except here, God stoops to bear the weight of His people. Isaiah 46:1–4 extends this beautifully: Babylon's idols are carried (nasa) on exhausted animals, but the God of Israel carries Israel — 'I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.' The true God is not one we carry; He is the One who carries us.

Key Bible Verses

Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens [amas].
Isaiah 46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by animals. They are burdens [amas] for weary animals.
Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.
Nehemiah 13:15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading [amas] donkeys with wine...
Zechariah 12:3 I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.

Related Words

External Resources

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