φόρτος G5414
burden, load, cargo; heavy weight or metaphorical oppression
This term literally refers to cargo or freight carried by ship or beast of burden. It extends naturally to metaphorical loads—the heavy burden of responsibilities, troubles, or obligations. Jesus uses the related diminutive when he promises that his yoke is easy and his burden light, contrasting with the crushing weight of legalistic religion. Paul employs burden language to describe the weight of caring for churches. The word can also mean something vulgar or worthless, though this usage is less relevant to biblical texts.
Senses
BDB / Lexicon Reference
φόρτος, ὁ, (φέρω) load, freight, cargo, Refs 8th c.BC+, and later Prose, as Refs 3rd c.BC+; ἐποιήσαντό με φ., explained as πεπραγμάτευμαι, προδέδομαι, φόρτος γεγένημαι, Refs 3rd c.BC+; φ. ἔρωτος, of Europa on the bull, Refs 4th c.AD+ __2 metaphorically, heavy load or burden, φ. χρείας, κακῶν, Refs 5th c.BC+; compare φορτίον. __II Attic dialect, vulgar stuff, rubbish, balderdash, Refs 5th c.BC+ __III mass of detail, 'stuff', in semi-colloquial sense, Refs 2nd c.AD+