A weight or load, on body or soul; often used figuratively, to denote afflictions, failings, sins, Psalm 38:4 55:22 Galatians 6:2; services under law, Matthew 23:4; official responsibilities, Exodus 18:22 Deuteronomy 1:12; and especially prophetic messages, not always of a threatening character, Isaiah 19:1 . In this last sense the Hebrew word may be rendered "oracle," "divine declaration," or "prophecy," as in Proverbs 31:31,1 .