YOKE

A symbol of subjection and servitude, 1Ki 12:4; an iron yoke, of severe oppression, De 28:48. The ceremonial law was a yoke, a burden-some restriction, Ac 15:10 Ga 5:1. The withdrawing or breaking of a yoke denoted a temporary or an unlimited emancipation form bondage, Isa 58:6 Jer 2:20, and sometimes the disowning of rightful authority, Jer 5:5. The iron yoke imposed by our sins, none but God can remove, La 1:14; but the yoke of Christ’s service is easy and light, Mt 11:29,30.

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Yoke. Yoke
(1.) Fitted on the neck of oxen for the purpose of binding to them the traces by which they might draw the plough, etc. (Num. 19:2; Deut. 21:3). It was a curved piece of wood called ’ol.

(2.) In Jer. 27:2; 28:10, 12 the word in the Authorized Version rendered “yoke” is motah, which properly means a “staff,” or as in the Revised Version, “bar.”

These words in the Hebrew are both used figuratively of severe bondage, or affliction, or subjection (Lev. 26:13; 1 Kings 12:4; Isa. 47:6; Lam. 1:14; 3:27). In the New Testament the word “yoke” is also used to denote servitude (Matt. 11:29, 30; Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1).

(3.) In 1 Sam. 11:7, 1 Kings 19:21, Job 1:3 the word thus translated is tzemed, which signifies a pair, two oxen yoked or coupled together, and hence in 1 Sam. 14:14 it represents as much land as a yoke of oxen could plough in a day, like the Latin jugum. In Isa. 5:10 this word in the plural is translated “acres.”

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YOKE. → FIGURATIVE Le 26:13; Isa 9:4; 10:27; Jer 2:20; 5:5; 28:2,4,10; 30:8; La 1:14; 3:27; Mt 11:29,30; Ac 15:10

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yoke. Yoke, n. a bandage on the neck, chain, bond, bondage, mark of servitude, couple, pair

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Yoke (yōk), n. [[OE. yok, ”oc, AS. geoc; akin to D. juk, OHG. joh, G. joch, Icel. & Sw. ok, Dan. aag, Goth. juk, Lith. jungas, Russ. igo, L. jugum, Gr. ζύγον, Skr. yuga, and to L. jungere to join, Gr. �, Skr. yui. √109, 280. Cf. Join, Jougs, Joust, Jugular, Subjugate, Syzygy, Yuga, Zeugma.]] 1. 1. A bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together.
A yearling bullock to thy name shall smoke, Untamed, unconscious of the galling yoke. Pope. ☞ The modern yoke for oxen is usually a piece of timber hollowed, or made curving, near each end, and laid on the necks of the oxen, being secured in place by two bows, one inclosing each neck, and fastened through the timber. In some countries the yoke consists of a flat piece of wood fastened to the foreheads of the oxen by thongs about the horns. 2. 2. A frame or piece resembling a yoke, as in use or shape. Specifically: (a) A frame of wood fitted to a person's shoulders for carrying pails, etc., suspended on each side; as, a milkmaid's yoke. (b) A frame worn on the neck of an animal, as a cow, a pig, a goose, to prevent passage through a fence. (c) A frame or convex piece by which a bell is hung for ringing it. See Illust. of Bell. (d) A crosspiece upon the head of a boat's rudder. To its ends lines are attached which lead forward so that the boat can be steered from amidships. (e) (Mach.) A bent crosspiece connecting two other parts. (f) (Arch.) A tie securing two timbers together, not used for part of a regular truss, but serving a temporary purpose, as to provide against unusual strain. (g) (Dressmaking) A band shaped to fit the shoulders or the hips, and joined to the upper full edge of the waist or the skirt.
3. 3. Fig.: That which connects or binds; a chain; a link; a bond connection.
Boweth your neck under that blissful yoke . . . Which that men clepeth spousal or wedlock. Chaucer. This yoke of marriage from us both remove. Dryden. 4. 4. A mark of servitude; hence, servitude; slavery; bondage; service.
Our country sinks beneath the yoke. Shak. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt. xi. 30. 5. 5. Two animals yoked together; a couple; a pair that work together.
I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them. Luke xiv. 19. 6. 6. The quantity of land plowed in a day by a yoke of oxen. Gardner.
7. 7. A portion of the working day; as, to work two yokes, that is, to work both portions of the day, or morning and afternoon. Halliwell.
Neck yoke, Pig yoke. See under Neck, and Pig. — Yoke elm (Bot.), the European hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus), a small tree with tough white wood, often used for making yokes for cattle.