# yoke #

## Definition: ##

A yoke is a piece of wood or metal attached to two or more animals to connect them for the purpose of pulling a plow or a cart. There are also several figurative meanings for this term.

   * The term "yoke" is used figuratively to refer to something that joins people for the purpose of working together, such as in serving Jesus.
   * Paul used the term "yokefellow" to refer to someone who was serving Christ as he was. This could also be translated as "fellow worker" or "fellow servant" or "coworker."
   * The term "yoke" is also often used figuratively to refer to a heavy load that someone has to carry, such as when being oppressed by slavery or persecution.
   * In most contexts, it is best to translate this term literally, using the local term for a yoke that is used for farming.
   * Other ways to translate the figurative use of this term could be, "oppressive burden" or "heavy load" or "bond," depending on the context.

(See also: [bind](../kt/bond.md), [burden](../other/burden.md), [oppress](../kt/oppress.md), [persecute](../other/persecute.md), [servant](../other/servant.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [Acts 15:10-11](en/tn/act/help/15/10)
* [Galatians 05:1-2](en/tn/gal/help/05/01)
* [Genesis 27:39-40](en/tn/gen/help/27/39)
* [Isaiah 09:4-5](en/tn/isa/help/09/04)
* [Jeremiah 27:1-4](en/tn/jer/help/27/01)
* [Matthew 11:28-30](en/tn/mat/help/11/28)
* [Philippians 04:1-3](en/tn/php/help/04/01)