In biblical times, a yoke was a wooden beam used to pair two animals, usually oxen, together for the purpose of pulling a plow or a cart. The concept of the yoke is frequently used in the Bible both literally and metaphorically, symbolizing various forms of burden, servitude, and partnership.

Old Testament References

The yoke is first mentioned in the context of agricultural practices. In Leviticus 26:13, God reminds the Israelites of their deliverance from Egypt, saying, "I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high." Here, the yoke symbolizes the bondage and oppression the Israelites experienced in Egypt, from which God freed them.

In Deuteronomy 28:48, the yoke is used to describe the consequences of disobedience to God: "Therefore you will serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you." This passage illustrates the severity of divine judgment and the heavy burden of subjugation.

The prophet Jeremiah also uses the imagery of the yoke to convey messages of submission and judgment. In Jeremiah 27:2, God instructs Jeremiah to make a yoke and put it on his neck as a sign to the nations that they should submit to the rule of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This act symbolizes the inevitability of Babylonian dominance as ordained by God.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the yoke takes on a more spiritual and relational dimension. Jesus uses the metaphor of the yoke to describe the nature of discipleship and the relief found in Him. In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus invites, "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." Here, the yoke represents the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus, contrasting with the heavy burdens imposed by the Pharisaic law.

The Apostle Paul also employs the imagery of the yoke in his epistles. In Galatians 5:1, he writes, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." Paul warns against returning to the legalistic practices of the Mosaic Law, which he equates with a burdensome yoke.

In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul advises believers, "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 uses the yoke metaphor to caution against forming binding relationships with those who do not share the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of spiritual compatibility.

Symbolism and Application

The yoke, as a symbol, encompasses themes of submission, partnership, and burden. It serves as a reminder of the freedom found in Christ, who offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. The biblical use of the yoke challenges believers to consider the nature of their spiritual and relational commitments, urging them to align with God's will and to seek His guidance in all aspects of life.2218. zugos -- a yoke
... Definition: a yoke, heavy burden, pair of scales Definition: a yoke; hence met:
(a Jewish idea) of a heavy burden, comparable to the heavy yokes resting on the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2218.htm - 7k4133. motah -- a pole, bar (of a yoke)
... Word Origin fem. of mot Definition a pole, bar (of a yoke) NASB Word Usage bars
(2), poles (1), yoke (5), yoke bars (1), yokes (3). bands, heavy, staves, yoke. ...
/hebrew/4133.htm - 6k

3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... 3), tool (1), utensils (66), vessel (28), vessels (37), vessels of kinds (1), water
(1), weapon (5), weapons (22), weapons of and equipment (1), yokes (1). ...
/hebrew/3627.htm - 6k

What Yokes are For
... WHAT YOKES ARE FOR. THERE is still one doubt to clear up. After the statement,
"Learn of Me," Christ throws in the disconcerting ...
/.../the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/what yokes are for.htm

The Two Yokes
... The Two Yokes. A Sermon (No.1032). ... "Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast broken the yokes
of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.""Jeremiah 28:13. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the two yokes.htm

Yokes of Wood and Iron
... YOKES OF WOOD AND IRON. 'Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord;
Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/yokes of wood and iron.htm

Now Joseph was a Carpenter, and Used to Make Nothing Else of Wood ...
... Chapter 37. Now Joseph was a carpenter, and used to make nothing else of
wood but ox-yokes? Now Joseph [1682] was a carpenter, and ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 37 now joseph was.htm

How Antiochus Made a League with Ptolemy and How Onias Provoked ...
... gave him three hundred yoke of oxen, and bid him go two days' journey into the
wilderness, and sow the land there, and yet kept back privately the yokes of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how antiochus made.htm

The Last King of Judah
... While these ambassadors were awaiting a response, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah,
saying, "Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck, and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 36 the last king.htm

Matt. xxii. 1-14.
... they had slain Him, and were bidden unto the marriage of Him that was slain, by
the very one that was slain, they come not, but feign excuses, yokes of oxen ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxix matt xxii 1-14.htm

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
... That is a blessed yoke which yokes our corruptions. ... The torment of the damned
may be compared to a yoke and it differs from other yokes. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/an appendix to the beatitudes.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... A SOUL GAZING ON GOD. TWO LISTS OF NAMES. YOKES OF WOOD AND IRON. WHAT THE
STABLE CREATION TEACHES. WHAT THE IMMENSE CREATION TEACHES. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/

The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew
... of them all? Chapter 37. Now Joseph was a carpenter, and used to make
nothing else of wood but ox-yokes? Chapter 38. And it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/

Yokes (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Yokes (6 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 24:22 Araunah said to
David, "Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. ...
/y/yokes.htm - 8k

Wooden (18 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 28:13 Go, and thou hast spoken unto Hananiah, saying, Thus said Jehovah,
Yokes of wood thou hast broken, and I have made instead of them yokes of iron ...
/w/wooden.htm - 12k

Yoke (79 Occurrences)
... 14. (n.) A portion of the working day; as, to work two yokes, that is, to
work both portions of the day, or morning and afternoon. 15. ...
/y/yoke.htm - 40k

Tahpanhes (7 Occurrences)
... 2:16), and Ezekiel can speak of its "daughters" (colonies or suburban towns), and
names it with Heliopolis and Bubastis when the "yokes Septuagint "sceptres ...
/t/tahpanhes.htm - 14k

Hanani'ah (28 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 28:13 Go, and thou hast spoken unto Hananiah, saying, Thus said Jehovah,
Yokes of wood thou hast broken, and I have made instead of them yokes of iron ...
/h/hanani'ah.htm - 14k

Yoke-fellow (1 Occurrence)
Yoke-fellow. Yokefellow, Yoke-fellow. Yokes . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (WEY
WBS YLT). Yokefellow, Yoke-fellow. Yokes . Reference Bible.
/y/yoke-fellow.htm - 9k

Yoke-bars (3 Occurrences)
... Yoke, Yoke-bars. Yoked . Multi-Version Concordance Yoke-bars (3 Occurrences).
Jeremiah 27:2 Thus said Jehovah unto me, Make to thee bands and yokes, (See RSV ...
/y/yoke-bars.htm - 7k

Yoking (1 Occurrence)

/y/yoking.htm - 6k

Tehaphnehes (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 30:18 At Tehaphnehes also the day shall withdraw itself, when I shall break
there the yokes of Egypt, and the pride of her power shall cease in her: as ...
/t/tehaphnehes.htm - 7k

What does yoke mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian go into business with an unbeliever? | GotQuestions.org

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