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