A lifting device (01) for manipulating a load (06), the lifting device (01) comprising a multiaxial kinematic mechanism (04) on which at least one manipulator arm (02) is mounted, the manipulator arm (02) being configured to move about and/or along multiple axes of movement (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) and having a holding means (05) for the load (06), wherein a positioning unit (07, 08, 09, 10, 11) acting on the multiaxial kinematic mechanism (04) and serving to move the manipulator arm (02) and a weight compensation unit (12, 13) for compensating for the weight force (FG) of the load (06) are associated with at least one of the axes of movement (41, 42, 43, 44, 45). Furthermore, a method for manipulating a load by means of at least one lifting device (01) is disclosed.