H4614 H4614
burden, heavy stone; something difficult to lift or bear
Found only in Zechariah 12:3, this word describes Jerusalem as 'a burdensome stone' for all peoples—a stone so heavy that those who try to lift it will be severely injured. The imagery draws on the challenge of moving massive building stones or the sport of stone-lifting. What appears liftable proves crushing to those who attempt it, symbolizing the futility of opposing God's chosen city.
Senses
1. sense 1 — English and French both use 'burden/fardeau,' while Spanish chooses 'pesada' (heavy [stone]). The image in Zechariah is of a stone that invites lifting but exceeds the lifter's capacity, resulting in injury. This 'burden-stone' becomes a metaphor for Jerusalem's supernatural resilience against her enemies. 1×
AR["ثِقَلٍ"]·ben["ভারী"]·DE["[מעמסה]"]·EN["burden"]·FR["fardeau"]·heb["מעמסה"]·HI["भारी"]·ID["yang-berat"]·IT["[מעמסה]"]·jav["awrat"]·KO["무거운-짐의"]·PT["peso"]·RU["тяжести"]·ES["pesada"]·SW["zito"]·TR["ağır-yük"]·urd["بوجھ-کا"]
Related Senses
G2962 1. Lord (divine title) (661×)H0136 1. Lord (divine title) (440×)H0113 1. lord, human superior (249×)G1849 1. authority, power (91×)H6485a 2. Qal: punish, bring judgment (63×)H8198 1. maidservant, female slave (63×)G2962 2. master, lord (human authority) (61×)H0034 1. needy, poor, destitute (61×)H0519 1. female servant, maidservant (56×)H6041 1. poor, needy person (55×)H0113 2. master, owner of servants (49×)H4910 1. Qal: to have dominion, exercise power over (44×)H1800 1. poor, needy (socioeconomic) (38×)H3515 1. heavy, severe, grievous (36×)G4434 1. (34×)G5092 1. honor, esteem, respect (33×)H6485a 4. Qal: visit, attend to, care for (32×)H3513 1. honor / show respect (Piel) (30×)H4910 2. Qal: to rule, govern (administrative authority) (27×)H4513 1. withhold, restrain, hold back (25×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† מַעֲמָסָה n.f. load, burden;—אֶבֶן מ׳ Zc 12:3 a stone of burden = heavy stone, hard to lift.