In biblical literature, the term "yoke" is frequently used in a figurative sense to symbolize various forms of bondage, submission, or partnership. The imagery of a yoke, which is a wooden beam used to pair animals together for plowing or carrying burdens, serves as a powerful metaphor for the relationships and obligations that bind individuals or groups.

1. Yoke of Bondage and Oppression: The yoke often represents the burdens of slavery and oppression. In the Old Testament, the Israelites experienced the "yoke of slavery" under Egyptian rule, which God promised to break (Leviticus 26:13: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. I have broken the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk upright"). Similarly, the prophets frequently spoke of the yoke of foreign domination, as seen in Isaiah 9:4 (BSB: "For as in the day of Midian, You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor").

2. Yoke of the Law: In the New Testament, the yoke is used to describe the heavy burden of the Mosaic Law, which some Jewish leaders imposed on the people. In Acts 15:10, Peter addresses the Jerusalem Council, questioning why they would "test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear" . This highlights the contrast between the burdensome requirements of the law and the freedom found in Christ.

3. Yoke of Sin: The yoke also symbolizes the bondage of sin. In Lamentations 1:14, the consequences of sin are described as a yoke: "My transgressions are bound into a yoke; they are woven together by His hand; they have been placed on my neck, and the Lord has broken my strength. He has delivered me into the hands of those I cannot withstand" . This imagery underscores the weight and entrapment that sin brings into a person's life.

4. Yoke of Christ: In contrast to the oppressive yokes mentioned above, Jesus offers a different kind of yoke. In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus invites His followers to take His yoke upon them, promising rest and ease: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" . This yoke signifies a relationship of discipleship and partnership with Christ, characterized by grace and peace rather than legalistic demands.

5. Yoke of Unity and Partnership: The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a yoke to discuss relationships among believers and between believers and unbelievers. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, he warns against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers, emphasizing the importance of spiritual harmony and shared values: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" . This passage highlights the need for believers to maintain spiritual integrity and unity in their relationships.

Throughout Scripture, the figurative use of the yoke serves as a vivid illustration of the various spiritual and relational dynamics that individuals encounter. Whether representing bondage or freedom, the yoke remains a powerful symbol of the choices and commitments that define one's spiritual journey.Leviticus 26:13
I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
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Isaiah 9:4
For you have broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
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Isaiah 10:27
And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
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Jeremiah 2:20
For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst your bands; and you said, I will not transgress; when on every high hill and under every green tree you wander, playing the harlot.
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Jeremiah 5:5
I will get me to the great men, and will speak to them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
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Jeremiah 28:2,4,10
Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
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Jeremiah 30:8
For it shall come to pass in that day, said the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and will burst your bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
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Lamentations 1:14
The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up on my neck: he has made my strength to fall, the LORD has delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.
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Lamentations 3:27
It is good for a man that he bear the yoke of his youth.
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Matthew 11:29,30
Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.
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Acts 15:10
Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
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4133. motah -- a pole, bar (of a yoke)
... Feminine of mowt; a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal
or figurative) -- bands, heavy, staves, yoke. see HEBREW mowt. 4132, 4133. ...
/hebrew/4133.htm - 6k

Messiah's Easy Yoke
... Oxen are yoked to labour. From hence the yoke is a figurative expression
to denote servitude. Our Lord seems to use it here, both ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xv messiahs easy yoke.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... to a word or sentence turned from its literal signification to a figurative sense ...
consumed them" (1 Kings 22:11); the true prophet Jeremiah wore a yoke upon his ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

Further Incidents of the Journey to Jerusalem - the Mission and ...
... One of the most common figurative expressions of the time was that of the yoke'
({hebrew}), to indicate submission to an occupation or obligation. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v further incidents of.htm

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and ...
... [The law itself was a heavy yoke (Acts 15:10 ), but these teachers added to the ...
[Our Lord's language is figurative and presents the kingdom of God as a house ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cx jesus last public discourse.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... The figurative reason of this sacrifice was that the red cow signified Christ ... there"
was "no blemish"; "and which" had "not carried the yoke," because Christ ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Of the Difference Between Discipline and Power, and of the Power ...
... If the apostles understood these (figurative meanings of the Law) better, of course ...
Lord, concerning the imposition upon the brethren of a yoke which neither ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xxi of the difference between.htm

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
... of the Gentiles' who are all in Gehinnom, is taught in very figurative language,
we ... Judaic party in the Church to force on Gentile believers the yoke of the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xiv the law in.htm

All who Walk According to Truth are Children of God.
... as neigh after their neighbours' wives, that are under the yoke, and are ... He will
gather the lambs with His arm," [1066] "using the figurative appellation of ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter v all who walk according.htm

The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby.
... It stands in figurative contrast to heaven and indicates that Capernaum shall be
brought to ... are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlv the baptists inquiry and.htm

The Consolation
... of its multiplied, expensive, difficult, and repeated appointments, a yoke and a ...
Then their legal figurative constitution would cease, the shadows give place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon i the consolation.htm

What should I do with my life after graduation? | GotQuestions.org

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Yoke: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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