Deuteronomy 1:12 — Word Study
WLCאֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י טָרְחֲכֶ֥ם וּמַֽשַּׂאֲכֶ֖ם וְרִֽיבְכֶֽם׃
BSABut howʼêyk [in what way, where] can I bearnâsâʼ▸ [lift, carry, undertake] your troublesṭôrach [cumbrance, weight, burden] burdensmassâʼ [load, pressure, responsibility] and disputesrîyb [strife, quarrels, arguments] all by myselfbad [alone, apart, without help]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אֵיכָ֥ה | how? | Particle |
| אֶשָּׂ֖א | will I bear | Verb, Qal, imperfect first person common singular |
| לְבַדִּ֑י | to alone me | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| טָרְחֲכֶ֥ם | burden your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וּמַֽשַּׂאֲכֶ֖ם | and burden your | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְרִֽיבְכֶֽם׃ | and dispute[s] your | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself? |
| KJV | How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? |
| ASV | How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife? |
| YLT | 'How do I bear by myself your pressure, and your burden, and your strife? |
| WEB | How can I myself alone bear your problems, your burdens, and your strife? |
| BBE | How is it possible for me by myself to be responsible for you, and undertake the weight of all your troubles and your arguments? |
The translations agree on the rendering of אֵיכָה as how.
The sentence centers around a main clause, followed by a description of the burdens and the condition of being alone.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנָשָׂא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Deuteronomy 1:12
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Moses' Reflection on Leadershipgenerated
Deuteronomy 1:12 captures Moses' lament as he grapples with the immense responsibility of leading the Israelites. He acknowledges the troubles, burdens, and disputes that weigh heavily on him, emphasizing the challenges of leadership and the need for support. This moment is part of a larger discourse where Moses prepares the people for their journey ahead, reminding them of the importance of wise leadership, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:13.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 1:9 | At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. |
| 2 | Exodus 18:13–16 | The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. |
| 3 | Numbers 11:11–15 | So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid upon me the burden of all these people? |
| 4 | 1 Kings 3:7–9 | And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. |
| 5 | Psalm 89:19 | You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֵיכָה, 'ei.Khahgenerated
The word אֵיכָה ('ei.Khah) translates to 'how?' and is used to express inquiry or surprise. It conveys a sense of questioning the feasibility of a situation, particularly in contexts of lamentation or distress.
Moses uses this word to express his incredulity at the thought of bearing the weight of the people's troubles alone, highlighting his vulnerability and the heavy burden of leadership.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the word 'how?' is consistently rendered as how, aligning with the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb אֶשָּׂא ('e.Sa'), meaning 'will I bear', governs the entire sentence. The structure emphasizes Moses' questioning tone, with a series of noun phrases detailing the burdens he faces.
The arrangement of the phrases underscores the weight of the troubles, burdens, and disputes, illustrating the cumulative pressure on Moses as a leader.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֵיכָה as πῶς (pōs), which similarly conveys the sense of inquiry. This choice reflects a direct translation of the Hebrew's questioning nature.
The Greek rendering maintains the emotional weight of Moses' lament, emphasizing the difficulty of his situation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Deuteronomy 1:12 shows Moses asking how he can manage the troubles and disputes of the people alone. He feels overwhelmed by the burdens of leadership and is seeking understanding of his limits.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Moses is expressing his concern about the overwhelming nature of the people's issues and his inability to handle them all by himself.
Moses feels burdened because he is responsible for leading a large group of people, managing their disputes and needs, which he finds challenging.
Moses' question highlights the importance of shared leadership and the need for support in difficult roles.
This verse illustrates that leaders often face overwhelming responsibilities and emphasizes the importance of seeking help and wisdom from others.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I feel overwhelmed by responsibilities in my own life?
- How can I seek support when I feel burdened by my duties?
- What qualities should I look for in leaders who can help share burdens?
- How can I be a source of support for others who are feeling overwhelmed?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Deuteronomy 1:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleHow can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?] His meaning is, that he could not hear and try all their causes, and determine all their law suits, and decide the
Read John Gill on Deuteronomy 1 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone: I spake unto you at that time - a little before their arrival in Horeb.
Read Robert Jamieson on Deuteronomy 1 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleYour burden; the trouble of ruling and managing so perverse a people. Your strife; either your quarrellings with God; or rather your contentions among yourselves, for the determination whereof the elders were appointed.
Read Matthew Poole on Deuteronomy 1 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDeuteronomy 1:12 How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?Ver. 12. Hear your cumbrance.] A prince’ s temples are not so compassed with a crown, as his mind besieged with cares; nor is he so lifted up with the splendour of his train, as cast down with the multitude of his fears. St Paul also had the "cumber of the churches." All care cumbered and mustered together, and that with anxiety; with the same solicitude that a man hath about his own most important business. επισυστασις, μεριμνα
Read John Trapp on Deuteronomy 1 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(12) Your cumbrance.—The original word is found only here and in Isaiah 1:14 : “They are a trouble unto me, I am weary to bear them.” Deuteronomy 1:13-15 recall very exactly what is said in Exodus 18
Read Charles John Ellicott on Deuteronomy 1 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges12. How] This emphatic Heb. form is found in the Pent. only here, Deuteronomy 7:17, Deuteronomy 12:30, Deuteronomy 18:21, (Deuteronomy 32:30). can I myself alone bear] See on Deuteronomy 1:9. your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife] Better the weight, the burden, and the strife of you. Weight cp. Isaiah 1:14, they are a weight upon me, I am weary of bearing. Is the use of the word here an echo of Isaiah? The Heb. ṭ ?oraḥ ? is not found elsewhere in the O. T. Burden or carriage, cp. J, Numbers 11:11, the burden of all this people upon me, and 17. Strife; the Heb. rîb is used in JE of quarrels about wells and other physical struggles; but also of law-disputes, and of Israel’s…
Read Cambridge on Deuteronomy 1 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE OF JUDGES AND THE OF THEIR DUTIES, Deuteronomy 1:9-18.For a more particular statement see Exodus 18:13-26, where it is said Moses adopted this plan at the counsel of Jethro.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Deuteronomy 1 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself?
How can I myself alone bear your problems, your burdens, and your strife?
But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself?
But how can I alone bear up under the burden of your hardship and strife?
Tyndale line
How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
How can I alone bear your encumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
Howe can I alone beare your combrance and your charge, and your strife?
Strictly literal
How can I myself alone sustain your wear, and your burden, and your strife?
'How do I bear by myself your pressure, and your burden, and your strife?
How do I bear your pressure, and your burden, and your strife by myself?
How can I by myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife!
But how can I myself alone carry your loads, your burdens, and your disputes?
From the Latin
I alone am not able to bear your business, and the charge of you and your differences.
Simplified
But how can I take on all your troubles, burdens, and arguments just by myself?
How is it possible for me by myself to be responsible for you, and undertake the weight of all your troubles and your arguments?
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The other witnesses, including the Samaritan Pentateuch, agree with the Masoretic Text, presenting the same wording. The Septuagint also aligns closely, though its word order differs.
אֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י טָרְחֲכֶ֥ם וּמַֽשַּׂאֲכֶ֖ם וְרִֽיבְכֶֽם׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
איכה אשׂא לבדי טרחכם משׂאכם וריבכם
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
[איכה] [אשא] [לבד׳י] [טרח׳כם] [ומשא׳כם] [וריב׳כם]
nothing on the leather here — 6 supplied entire by an editor.
[איכה] [אשא] [לבד׳י] [טרח׳כם] [ומשא׳כם] [וריב׳כם]
nothing on the leather here — 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Deuteronomy 1:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֵיךְ (*'eyk*) and its variants express the concept of 'how?' in various contexts, functioning as both interrogative and exclamatory forms. The entries indicate that it can also imply 'where' and is used in expressions of lamentation or satisfaction. The word appears in different spellings, reflecting its usage in the Old Testament.
אֵיךְ 69 adv.
interrog. How?
as an exclam. How!
base
אֵיכָה adv.
interrog. In what manner?
exclam. How!
Where?
base
אֵיכָ֫כָה (Ct) אֵֽיכָכָ֫ה (Est) How?
base
H349a אֵיךְ . interrog. How?
. as an exclam. How!
H349b אֵיכָה . interrog. In what manner?
. as an exclam. How!
H349c אֵיכָ֫כָה (Ct) אֵֽיכָכָ֫ה (Est) How?
349 'eyk ake
also eykah {ay-kaw'}; and teykakah {ay-kaw'-kah}; prolonged
from 335; how? or how!; also where:--how, what.
see HEBREW for 0335
אֵיךְ (ekh) — how?.
interrog adv
how?
אֵיכָה (e.khah) — how?.
interrog adv
1) how?
interj
2) how! (in lamentation)
3) expression of satisfaction
אֵיכָ֫כָה (e.kha.khah) — how?.
how?
Another spelling of ekh (אֵיךְ "how?" H0349A)
Part — ParticleHTi
Represents various Hebrew and Greek words, interrogative, interjectional and relative. Its different uses refer to
(1) the manner or way, e.g. Ge 44:34, "How shall I go up to my father?" ('ekh); Mt 6:28, "how they grow" (pos); 1Co 15:35, "How are the dead raised?";
(2) degree, extent, frequently, "how great" (Da 4:3, mah; Mr 5:19, hosos, "how much"); "how many" (Mt 27:13, posos); "how much" (Ac 9:13, hosos); "how much more" (Mt 7:11, posos;
The Hebrew word נָשָׂא (nasa') means to lift, carry, or take, encompassing a wide range of applications both literal and figurative. It can refer to actions like bearing burdens, taking away, or being exalted. The entries indicate various forms and uses, including the ability to lift oneself up or cause others to bear iniquity. There is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
נָשָׂא 656 vb. lift, carry, take
Qal
lift, lift up
Bear, carry
Take, take away
Niph.
be lifted up
refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment
be borne, carried
be taken away, carried off
Pi.
lift up = exalt
fig. = desire, long
carry, bear continuously
take, take away
Hithp. lift oneself up
Hiph.
cause one to bear iniquity
appar. cause to bring, have brought
base
H5375 נָשָׂא lift, carry, take .. lift, lift up
. Bear, carry
. Take, take away
. . be lifted up
. refl. lift oneself up = rise up, of י׳, to display power in judgment
. be borne, carried
. be taken away, carried off
. . lift up = exalt
. fig. = desire, long
. carry, bear continuously
. take, take away
. lift oneself up
. . cause one to bear iniquity
. appar. cause to bring, have brought
5375 nasa' naw-saw'
or nacah (Psalm 4 : 6 (7)) {naw-saw'}; a primitive root; to
lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and
figurative, absol. and rel. (as follows):--accept, advance,
arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring
(forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease,
exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further,
give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable (+ man), lade,
lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, X needs, obtain,
pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare,
stir up, + swear, take (away, up), X utterly, wear, yield.
see HEBREW for 04
see HEBREW for 06
see HEBREW for 07
נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: raise.
: raise/take_up
1) to lift, bear up, carry, take
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lift, lift up
1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure
1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted
1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up
1b3) to be borne, be carried
1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist
1c2) to desire, long (fig.)
1c3) to carry, bear continuously
1c4) to take, take away
1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity)
1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
נָשָׂא (na.sa) — to lift: bear.
: look/lift(eyes)
1) to lift, bear up, carry, take
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lift, lift up
1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure
1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common singularHVqi1cs
bar (dobh; compare Arabic dubb): In 1Sa 17:34-37, David tells Saul how as a shepherd boy he had overcome a lion and a bear. In 2Ki 2:24 it is related that two she bears came out of the wood and tore forty-two of the children who had been mocking Elisha. All the other references to bears are figurative; compare 2Sa 17:8; Pr 17:12; 28:15; Isa 11:7; 59:11; La 3:10; Da 7:5; Ho 13:8; Am 5:19;
Bear
A native of the mountain regions of Western Asia, frequently mentioned in Scripture. David defended his flocks against the attacks of a bear (1 Sam. 17:34-37). Bears came out of the wood and destroyed the children who mocked the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:24). Their habits are referred to in Isa. 59:11; Prov. 28:15; Lam. 3:10. The fury of the female bear when robbed of her young is spoken of (2 Sam. 17:8; Prov. 17:12; Hos. 13:8). In Daniel’s vision of the…
(1 Samuel 17:34; 2 Samuel 17:8) The Syrian bear, Ursus syriacus, which is without doubt the animal mentioned in the Bible, is still found on the higher mountains of Palestine. During the summer months these bears keep to the snowy parts of Lebanon, but descend in winter to the villages and Gardens. It is probable also that at this period in former days they extended their visits to other parts of Palestine.
That bears were common in Palestine appears from several passages in the Old Testament, 1Sa 17:34,36,37; 2Sa 17:8; 2Ki 2:24. The species known in Syria resembles the common brown bear; it is sill met in the recesses of Lebanon. To a sullen and ferocious disposition, the bear joins immense strength, considerable sagacity, and the power of climbing trees. Her ferocity, especially when her young are injured, is proverbial. See 2Sa 17:8; Pr 17:12; Isa 11:7; Ho 13:8.
בַּד (bad) refers to separation or being alone, often indicating a part or branch of something. It can denote physical separation, such as limbs or bars, as well as figurative uses like 'chief of a city.' The entries consistently highlight meanings related to being apart or alone, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
בַּד, בָּ֑ד n.m. separation, concr. part
prop. in a state of separation, alone, by itself
concr. part
parts, specif. extended from something
base
H905 בַּד, בָּ֑ד separation, concr. part . prop. in a state of separation, alone, by itself
. concr. part
. parts, specif. extended from something
905 bad bad
from 909; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the
body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief
of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an
adverb, apart, only, besides:--alone, apart, bar, besides,
branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff,
strength.
see HEBREW for 0909
בַּד (bad) — alone: pole.
: pole
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
בַּד (bad) — alone.
: alone
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
בַּד (bad) — alone: each.
: each
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
בַּד (bad) — alone: besides.
: besides/apart from
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone
1a) separation, alone, by itself
1a1) only (adv)
1a2) apart from, besides (prep)
1b) part
1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
Prep | N-ms | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
טֹ֫רַח (torach) means 'burden' and is derived from the root word represented by Strong's H2959. The entries consistently describe it as a burden, encumbrance, or trouble, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
טֹ֫רַח n.m. burden
base
H2960 טֹ֫רַח burden
2960 torach to'-rakh
from 2959; a burden:--cumbrance, trouble.
see HEBREW for 02959
טֹ֫רַח (to.rach) — burden.
burden
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2mp
מַשָּׂא (massa') refers to a load or burden, encompassing meanings like tribute and lifting. It can also signify an utterance or oracle, often linked to prophecy or song. The word is built from the root meaning to carry or lift, and it appears in contexts related to both physical and figurative burdens.
מַשָּׂא n.m. load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute
base
מַשָּׂא n.m. utterance, oracle
base
H4853a מַשָּׂא load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute H4853b מַשָּׂא utterance, oracle
4853 massa' mas-saw'
from 5375; a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly)
porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom,
especially singing; mental, desire:--burden, carry away,
prophecy, X they set, song, tribute.
see HEBREW for 05375
מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — burden.
1) load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting
1a) load, burden
1b) lifting, uplifting, that to which the soul lifts itself up
1c) bearing, carrying
1d) tribute, that which is carried or brought or borne
מַשָּׂא (mas.sa) — oracle.
utterance, oracle, burden
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp2mp
רִיב (riyb) refers to strife or dispute, encompassing personal or legal contests. It can denote adversarial situations, chiding, or legal cases. The entries consistently highlight its meanings related to conflict, such as quarrels and controversies, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
רִיב 62 n.m. strife, dispute
base
H7379 רִיב strife, dispute
7379 riyb reeb
or rib {reeb}; from 7378; a contest (personal or legal):--+
adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy,
multitude (from the margin), pleading, strife, strive(-ing),
suit.
see HEBREW for 07378
רִיב (riv) — strife.
1) strife, controversy, dispute
1a) strife, quarrel
1b) dispute, controversy, case at law
Conj | N-cs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp2mp