THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The Hebrew term "massa," as rendered by Aquila as "άρμα," which signifies burden and weight, has been translated by Simmachus, the Septuagint, and Theodotion as acceptance. In instances where the Lord presents heavy matters marked by toil, distress, and insufferability, the title reads "άρμα," denoting heaviness. Conversely, when the Lord offers blessings or, following stern warnings, assures something better, it is referred to as a vision, or at a minimum as the word of the Lord. From the very title of the prophecy—whether it be heaviness, vision, or divine message—it becomes clear what type of revelation is being conveyed.
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Prophets commonly delivered somber messages to sinful individuals and warned of impending judgment to guide them toward repentance. As the compassionate and merciful Lord postponed judgment for an extended period, the people, ensnared by the deceptions of false prophets, began to doubt the fulfillment of the Lord's threats. They trivialized the warnings, treating them as a source of mockery, brazenly addressing the prophets with statements such as, "Once again this one beholds the weight and burden of the Lord!" As a result, prophecy ceased to be regarded as a vision, being instead dismissed as a form of ridicule, a burden or heaviness.
Thus, the Lord instructed that if the people, a prophet, or a priest were to inquire of Jeremiah about the nature of this burden from the Lord, he should respond, "You are the burden, for I will lift you up and cast you down, crush you, and bring you to ruin." Should anyone among the prophets, priests, or people choose to label the prophetic vision as a weight and burden, it would result in dire consequences, as the Lord pledged to bring judgment upon that person and their household forever. Each individual is to communicate to their neighbor, "What has the Lord answered or declared," rather than, "Let us abandon the old thought; what more is there? What is the weight of the Lord?" The weight or burden attributed to the Lord should not be spoken of lightly. Each person's words and deeds shall be weighed, in accordance with what is written, "By thy mouth thou shalt be justified, and by thy mouth thou shalt be condemned."