### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term טֹרַח (ṭôrach, `{{H2960}}`) derives from the verbal root טָרַח (ṭārach), which carries the core meaning of "to burden" or "to trouble." As a noun, ṭôrach thus signifies a "burden," "cumbrance," or "trouble." Its semantic range encompasses the idea of something heavy, difficult, or cumbersome to bear, whether physically, administratively, or emotionally. It denotes a state of being weighed down or oppressed, often implying an excessive or unwelcome load. The term suggests not merely a weight, but a difficulty that obstructs, wearies, or causes distress.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ṭôrach appears sparsely in the Hebrew Bible, occurring only twice, yet each instance provides significant contextual insight into its meaning:
1. **[[Deuteronomy 1:12]]**: In this passage, Moses recounts the challenges of leading the Israelite multitude through the wilderness, expressing his inability to bear the people's demands alone: "How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?" Here, ṭôrach is paired with מַשָּׂא (massāʾ, `{{H4853}}`, "burden" or "load") and רִיב (rîḇ, "strife" or "dispute"). This triadic expression emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the people's collective needs, complaints, and conflicts. Ṭôrach in this context refers to the administrative and emotional "cumbrance" or "trouble" that the sheer volume of the people's issues placed upon Moses, highlighting the immense difficulty and weariness inherent in such a leadership role. It underscores the practical limitations of a single individual to manage the complexities of a large community without assistance.
2. **[[Isaiah 1:14]]**: This verse presents a stark prophetic indictment from God against the insincere worship of Judah: "Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them." Here, ṭôrach is attributed to God Himself, who declares that the outwardly religious observances of His people have become a "trouble" or "burden" to Him. This is a profound theological statement. It is not the rituals themselves that are burdensome, but their performance without genuine repentance, justice, or heartfelt devotion. The word conveys God's weariness and revulsion at hypocritical piety, indicating that such worship is not only ineffective but actively offensive and cumbersome to the Divine.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical relative of ṭôrach is its verbal root, טָרַח (ṭārach), meaning "to burden" or "to trouble." This connection reinforces the noun's inherent sense of difficulty and imposition.
Other related concepts and words include:
* **מַשָּׂא (massāʾ, `{{H4853}}`)**: "Burden," "load," often referring to a physical weight or a prophetic oracle that is a heavy responsibility. As seen in [[Deuteronomy 1:12]], it is a close synonym that reinforces the idea of weight and difficulty.
* **כָּבֵד (kāḇēḏ, `{{H3515}}`)**: This root signifies "to be heavy," "to be weighty," or "to be burdensome," and can describe a heavy heart or a difficult task.
* **עֹל (ʿōl, `{{H5923}}`)**: "Yoke," often symbolizing oppressive labor or servitude, which is inherently burdensome.
* **Trouble, Distress, Weariness**: The semantic field of ṭôrach overlaps with words denoting general difficulty, emotional or physical exhaustion, and conditions that cause vexation.
* **Divine Displeasure**: In the context of [[Isaiah 1:14]], ṭôrach is inextricably linked with God's rejection and weariness concerning insincere worship, connecting it to concepts of divine judgment and the consequences of spiritual hypocrisy.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ṭôrach emerges powerfully from its limited yet impactful occurrences:
1. **The Limits of Human Leadership**: In [[Deuteronomy 1:12]], ṭôrach underscores the inherent limitations of human capacity, even for divinely appointed leaders like Moses. It reveals that the "burden" of leading a rebellious and demanding people can become overwhelming, necessitating delegation and the distribution of responsibility (as seen in Moses' subsequent appointment of judges, [[Deuteronomy 1:13-18]]). This highlights a theological principle: while God calls individuals to leadership, He also provides for the sharing of burdens within the community, recognizing human finitude.
2. **The Nature of Acceptable Worship**: The use of ṭôrach in [[Isaiah 1:14]] is profoundly revelatory regarding God's character and the nature of true worship. It shatters any notion that God is pleased by mere ritualistic observance devoid of genuine heart transformation and ethical living. For God to declare that the religious practices of His people are a "trouble" and a "burden" to Him signifies His absolute rejection of hypocrisy. True worship, therefore, must be characterized by sincerity, righteousness, and a spirit of obedience, not just outward conformity. When these elements are absent, even divinely instituted practices become an offense, a wearisome imposition upon the Holy One, rather than an act of adoration. This passage serves as a timeless prophetic warning against empty religiosity and emphasizes God's demand for holistic devotion that manifests in both spiritual integrity and social justice.
### Summary
The Hebrew word טֹרַח (ṭôrach, `{{H2960}}`) denotes a heavy, cumbersome burden or trouble. Its two biblical occurrences reveal distinct yet interconnected theological insights. In [[Deuteronomy 1:12]], it describes the overwhelming administrative and emotional "cumbrance" of leadership, highlighting the limits of human capacity and the necessity of shared responsibility within the community. More profoundly, in [[Isaiah 1:14]], ṭôrach conveys God's deep weariness and revulsion towards insincere and hypocritical worship. Here, it signifies that outward religious observances, when devoid of genuine heart, righteousness, and justice, become an offensive "trouble" to the Divine. Thus, ṭôrach underscores both the practical difficulties of human endeavor and, critically, the divine demand for authenticity and integrity in all forms of devotion.
TRV