The Polysemy of the Word Wazar in the Quran

Abstract

This study discusses the word polysemy or al-musytarak al-lafzi in al-Quran al-Karim which has two or more meanings. The objective of this study is to identify whether the word of wazar in the Quran is classified in al-musytarak al-lafzi or not. This study is a qualitative study that utilizes a text analysis method based on Jost Trier's (1931) Semantic Field Theory. The author uses a Quranic text that focuses on the word polysemy wazar in the Quran al-Karim. The results of the study show that the word wazar belongs to al-musytarak al-lafzī because the same pronunciation shows different meanings. All the words wazar repeated 27 times give only two different meanings; the first means the heavy burden including sin and equipment of war is repeated 26 times and the second means the shelter is mentioned only once. The word wazar which is given the meaning of bear, sin, sin bearer, equipment of war and helper actually refers to the same meaning which is a heavy burden. Thus, the wisdom of the word polysemy with its diversity of meanings shows elements of the beauty and linguistic grandeur of the Quran and the Arabic language.