The Hebrew word ṭôrach, represented by H2960, denotes a burden or trouble. It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses, yet it powerfully conveys the concept of a wearing, tiresome load. The term is used to describe both the heavy responsibility of leadership and the spiritual exhaustion caused by insincere religious practice.
In its biblical usage, H2960 appears in two distinct but related contexts. First, in Deuteronomy, Moses expresses the overwhelming weight of his leadership role, asking how he can possibly bear the people's cumbrance H2960, their burden, and their strife by himself Deuteronomy 1:12. Later, in Isaiah, the term is used by God Himself, who declares that Israel's appointed feasts and new moons have become a trouble H2960 to Him, something He is weary to bear Isaiah 1:14.
Several related words in the immediate context of its appearances help clarify the meaning of H2960:
- H5375 nâsâʼ (to lift... bear): This verb is used in both occurrences to describe the act of carrying the ṭôrach. Moses questions his ability to bear this weight Deuteronomy 1:12, and God expresses His weariness to bear Israel's empty rituals Isaiah 1:14.
- H4853 massâʼ (a burden): This word is used in parallel with ṭôrach in Deuteronomy 1:12, reinforcing the idea of a heavy, cumbersome load placed upon a leader.
- H7379 rîyb (a contest... strife): This specifies the nature of the cumbrance Moses was bearing, identifying it as the constant strife and legal contests among the people Deuteronomy 1:12.
- H3811 lâʼâh (to tire... be... weary): This word describes the effect of the ṭôrach. God is not merely displeased but is made weary by the trouble of Israel's insincere worship Isaiah 1:14.
The theological weight of H2960 is significant despite its rarity, highlighting two key concepts:
- The Burden of Leadership: The term is used by Moses to articulate the immense personal cost of shepherding God's people. It captures the exhausting nature of dealing with their "cumbrance," "burden," and "strife" Deuteronomy 1:12.
- The Trouble of Empty Religion: God applies this word to Israel's religious festivals, revealing that outward observance without a sincere soul H5315 is not a pleasing offering but a trouble that He hates and finds wearying Isaiah 1:14.
In summary, H2960 is a potent term for a burdensome weight. It moves beyond a simple physical load to describe the emotional and spiritual exhaustion felt by a leader like Moses and, most profoundly, by God Himself when confronted with human strife and hollow religiosity. Its two appearances provide a powerful glimpse into the nature of burdens that weary both man and God.
TRV