Yoke in the Bible – Definition | Word Study

Definition of Yoke:

• In a literal sense, the word ‘Yoke‘ means a bar of wood, so constructed as to unite two animals (usually oxen), enabling them to work in the fields, drawing loads, pulling instruments used for farming.
• In Bible, it is figuratively used as a symbol of
  • Slavery (1 Tim 6:1)
  • Servanthood (Lev 26:13:”I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.” Also Jer 27:8-12)
  • Submission, Forced Subjection
  • Burden, Load
  • Oppression (Is 9:4)
  • Bondage to Sin (Lam 1:14: “My sins have been bound into a yoke, by his hands, they were woven together…”)

• The Plowman (farmer) binds the yoke upon the neck of the oxen, so that it would not fall off or be shaken off. Yoke bound around the neck of man would cause his strength to diminish, one can waver and fall under the load of yoke.

Yoke in the Bible (NT):

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.” ~Mat 11:28-30

Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ~ Acts 15:10

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ~ 2 Cor 6:14

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.” ~ Gal 5:1

• Paul in Gal 5:1 and Peter in Acts 15:10 talk about the yoke of bondage that the Law brings, the yoke that no one can carry. The requirements of the Law are beyond our capacity.

“Because through Christ Jesus, the law of spirit has set me free from the law of sin and death.” ~ Rom 8:2

• Christ Jesus has set us free from the yoke of bondage through the law. Jesus took upon himself the yoke of Law and fulfilled it. Therefore, through him, we can be set free from the yoke of sin and death.
• Jesus invites all who are under the yoke of Law or sin and offers the true rest for their souls.
• We may visualize this as Jesus being the master or a farmer and us being yoked with a lighter load. But that is NOT the right picture.
• Farmers used to yoke the young ox with the old experienced ox to train them. The old ox will take the major load and the young one will be walking along and learning from him. If you read this verses in light of this, it gives a wonderful picture.
• Jesus is helping those who are exhausted, weary and burdened from carrying the load by themselves! What a comfort, peace and rest to know that Jesus is right with us, walking with us, teaching us and strengthening us side by side!
• We may be under the yoke of sin, oppression, guilt, failures, anxieties (1 Pet 5:7), or worries. But Jesus has set us free from the yoke, we just need to come to him and cast our heavy burden on him. And he will give the rest for our souls.

(Also check out: Yeast in the Bible, Salt in the Bible)