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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Yokes</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/y/yokes.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/2_samuel/24-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/y/yokes.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Yokes</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/y/yoke-fellow.htm" title="Yoke-Fellow">◄</a> Yokes <a href="/topical/y/yoking.htm" title="Yoking">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>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.<br><br><b>Old Testament References</b><br><br>The yoke is first mentioned in the context of agricultural practices. In <a href="/leviticus/26-13.htm">Leviticus 26:13</a>, 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.<br><br>In <a href="/deuteronomy/28-48.htm">Deuteronomy 28:48</a>, 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.<br><br>The prophet Jeremiah also uses the imagery of the yoke to convey messages of submission and judgment. In <a href="/jeremiah/27-2.htm">Jeremiah 27:2</a>, 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.<br><br><b>New Testament References</b><br><br>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 <a href="/matthew/11-29.htm">Matthew 11:29-30</a>, 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.<br><br>The Apostle Paul also employs the imagery of the yoke in his epistles. In <a href="/galatians/5.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>, 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.<br><br>In <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14</a>, 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.<br><br><b>Symbolism and Application</b><br><br>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.<a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/2218.htm"><span class="l">2218. zugos -- a yoke</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Definition: a yoke, heavy burden, pair of scales Definition: a yoke; hence met:<br> (a Jewish idea) of a heavy burden, comparable to the heavy <b>yokes</b> resting on the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2218.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 7k</font><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/4133.htm"><span class="l">4133. motah -- a pole, bar (of a yoke)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin fem. of mot Definition a pole, bar (of a yoke) NASB Word Usage bars<br> (2), poles (1), yoke (5), yoke bars (1), <b>yokes</b> (3). bands, heavy, staves, yoke. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/4133.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm"><span class="l">3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel</span></a><br><b>...</b> 3), tool (1), utensils (66), vessel (28), vessels (37), vessels of kinds (1), water<br> (1), weapon (5), weapons (22), weapons of and equipment (1), <b>yokes</b> (1). <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/3627.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/drummond/the_greatest_thing_in_the_world_and_other_addresses/what_yokes_are_for.htm"><span class="l">What <b>Yokes</b> are For</span></a> <br><b>...</b> WHAT <b>YOKES</b> ARE FOR. THERE is still one doubt to clear up. After the statement,<br> "Learn of Me," Christ throws in the disconcerting <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the greatest thing in the world and other addresses/what yokes are for.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_18_1872/the_two_yokes.htm"><span class="l">The Two <b>Yokes</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> The Two <b>Yokes</b>. A Sermon (No.1032). <b>...</b> "Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast broken the <b>yokes</b><br> of wood; but thou shalt make for them <b>yokes</b> of iron.""Jeremiah 28:13. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the two yokes.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_h/yokes_of_wood_and_iron.htm"><span class="l"><b>Yokes</b> of Wood and Iron</span></a> <br><b>...</b> <b>YOKES</b> OF WOOD AND IRON. 'Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord;<br> Thou hast broken the <b>yokes</b> of wood; but thou shalt make <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/yokes of wood and iron.htm</font><p><a href="/library/unknown/the_gospel_of_pseudo-matthew/chapter_37_now_joseph_was.htm"><span class="l">Now Joseph was a Carpenter, and Used to Make Nothing Else of Wood <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Chapter 37. Now Joseph was a carpenter, and used to make nothing else of<br> wood but ox-<b>yokes</b>? Now Joseph [1682] was a carpenter, and <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 37 now joseph was.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_4_how_antiochus_made.htm"><span class="l">How Antiochus Made a League with Ptolemy and How Onias Provoked <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> gave him three hundred yoke of oxen, and bid him go two days' journey into the<br> wilderness, and sow the land there, and yet kept back privately the <b>yokes</b> of the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how antiochus made.htm</font><p><a href="/library/white/the_story_of_prophets_and_kings/chapter_36_the_last_king.htm"><span class="l">The Last King of Judah</span></a> <br><b>...</b> While these ambassadors were awaiting a response, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah,<br> saying, "Make thee bonds and <b>yokes</b>, and put them upon thy neck, and <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 36 the last king.htm</font><p><a href="/library/chrysostom/homilies_on_the_gospel_of_saint_matthew/homily_lxix_matt_xxii_1-14.htm"><span class="l">Matt. xxii. 1-14.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> they had slain Him, and were bidden unto the marriage of Him that was slain, by<br> the very one that was slain, they come not, but feign excuses, <b>yokes</b> of oxen <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxix matt xxii 1-14.htm</font><p><a href="/library/watson/the_beatitudes_an_exposition_of_matthew_51-12/an_appendix_to_the_beatitudes.htm"><span class="l">An Appendix to the Beatitudes</span></a> <br><b>...</b> That is a blessed yoke which <b>yokes</b> our corruptions. <b>...</b> The torment of the damned<br> may be compared to a yoke and it differs from other <b>yokes</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/an appendix to the beatitudes.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_h/"><span class="l">Expositions of Holy Scripture</span></a> <br><b>...</b> A SOUL GAZING ON GOD. TWO LISTS OF NAMES. <b>YOKES</b> OF WOOD AND IRON. WHAT THE<br> STABLE CREATION TEACHES. WHAT THE IMMENSE CREATION TEACHES. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/</font><p><a href="/library/unknown/the_gospel_of_pseudo-matthew/"><span class="l">The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew</span></a> <br><b>...</b> of them all? Chapter 37. Now Joseph was a carpenter, and used to make<br> nothing else of wood but ox-<b>yokes</b>? Chapter 38. And it <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/y/yokes.htm"><span class="l"><b>Yokes</b> (6 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Yokes</b> (6 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 24:22 Araunah said to<br> David, "Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/y/yokes.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wooden.htm"><span class="l">Wooden (18 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Jeremiah 28:13 Go, and thou hast spoken unto Hananiah, saying, Thus said Jehovah,<br><b>Yokes</b> of wood thou hast broken, and I have made instead of them <b>yokes</b> of iron <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wooden.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/y/yoke.htm"><span class="l">Yoke (79 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 14. (n.) A portion of the working day; as, to work two <b>yokes</b>, that is, to<br> work both portions of the day, or morning and afternoon. 15. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/y/yoke.htm - 40k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tahpanhes.htm"><span class="l">Tahpanhes (7 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2:16), and Ezekiel can speak of its "daughters" (colonies or suburban towns), and<br> names it with Heliopolis and Bubastis when the "<b>yokes</b> Septuagint "sceptres <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tahpanhes.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/hanani'ah.htm"><span class="l">Hanani'ah (28 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Jeremiah 28:13 Go, and thou hast spoken unto Hananiah, saying, Thus said Jehovah,<br><b>Yokes</b> of wood thou hast broken, and I have made instead of them <b>yokes</b> of iron <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/hanani'ah.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/y/yoke-fellow.htm"><span class="l">Yoke-fellow (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Yoke-fellow. Yokefellow, Yoke-fellow. <b>Yokes</b> . Easton's Bible Dictionary <b>...</b> (WEY<br> WBS YLT). Yokefellow, Yoke-fellow. <b>Yokes</b> . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/y/yoke-fellow.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/y/yoke-bars.htm"><span class="l">Yoke-bars (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Yoke, Yoke-bars. Yoked . Multi-Version Concordance Yoke-bars (3 Occurrences).<br> Jeremiah 27:2 Thus said Jehovah unto me, Make to thee bands and <b>yokes</b>, (See RSV <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/y/yoke-bars.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/y/yoking.htm"><span class="l">Yoking (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/y/yoking.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tehaphnehes.htm"><span class="l">Tehaphnehes (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Ezekiel 30:18 At Tehaphnehes also the day shall withdraw itself, when I shall break<br> there the <b>yokes</b> of Egypt, and the pride of her power shall cease in her: as <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tehaphnehes.htm - 7k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/yoke-in-the-Bible.html">What does yoke mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/business-unbeliever.html">Should a Christian go into business with an unbeliever? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Yokes (6 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_samuel/24-22.htm">2 Samuel 24:22</a></span><br />Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Behold, the cattle for the burnt offering, and the threshing instruments and the <span class="boldtext">yokes</span> of the oxen for the wood:<br /><span class="source">(WEB ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_kings/19-19.htm">1 Kings 19:19</a></span><br />And he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve <span class="boldtext">yokes</span> before him, and he with the twelfth; and Elijah went over to him, and cast his mantle on him.<br /><span class="source">(DBY)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_kings/19-21.htm">1 Kings 19:21</a></span><br />And he went back, and took the oxen and put them to death, and cooking their flesh with the <span class="boldtext">yokes</span> of the oxen, he gave the people a feast. Then he got up and went after Elijah and became his servant.<br /><span class="source">(BBE RSV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/27-2.htm">Jeremiah 27:2</a></span><br />Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and <span class="boldtext">yokes</span>, and put them upon thy neck,<br /><span class="source">(KJV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/jeremiah/28-13.htm">Jeremiah 28:13</a></span><br />Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the <span class="boldtext">yokes</span> of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.<br /><span class="source">(KJV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/ezekiel/30-18.htm">Ezekiel 30:18</a></span><br />At Tehaphnehes also the day shall withdraw itself, when I shall break there the <span class="boldtext">yokes</span> of Egypt, and the pride of her power shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/y/yokes.htm">Yokes</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/y/yokes.htm">Yokes (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/y/yon.htm">Yon (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/unequal.htm">Unequal (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cord.htm">Cord (47 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shutting.htm">Shutting (43 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/living-place.htm">Living-place (83 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/y/yoke-fellow.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Yoke-Fellow"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Yoke-Fellow" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/y/yoking.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Yoking"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Yoking" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>