"light, not heavy, Mt. 11:30; 2 Cor. 4:17*"
Definition and meaning
light, not heavy, Mt. 11:30; 2 Cor. 4:17*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐλαφρός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of elaphros (G1645) across the King James Bible.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
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Common questions
Strong's G1645 (elaphros) is a Greek word that means: light, not heavy, Mt. 11:30; 2 Cor. 4:17* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word elaphros (G1645) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1645 is elaphros, a Greek word defined as: light, not heavy, Mt. 11:30; 2 Cor. 4:17*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
elaphros is a Greek word found in the New Testament.