YOKE


1. A yoke is a wooden bar carried by a pair of oxen while working to help them pull a wagon or plow 
a field together (Deut. 21:3; 1Sam. 6:7; Luke 14:19). The weight of the yoke is split between the 
two of them. 
2. A yoke is a burden men carry while working for a master—the commands we are asked to do. 
3. A yoke is placed on the neck (Gen. 27:40; Isa. 10:27; Jer. 28:10). 
4. A wooden yoke is heavy (1 Kings 12:4, 10, 11, 14; Isa. 47:6) and causes a person to stoop rather 
than stand erect (Lev. 26:13). 
5. A yoke is a figure of work (Num. 19:2; Deut. 21:3) and slavery (of a slave, Isa. 58:6; 1 Tim. 6:1; 
of countrymen, 1 Kings 12:4, 9–10, 14=2 Chron. 10:4, 9–11, 14; of a nation, Jer. 27:8, 11–12, 14; 
30:8). 
6. People usually want to be free from heavy yokes (Gen. 27:40; Lev. 26:13; 1 Kings 12:4= 
2 Chron. 10:4). 
7. To break a wooden yoke is to free one from slavery (Gen. 27:40; Lev. 26:13; Isa. 9:4; Jer. 28:2, 
4, 11; Ezek. 34:27). 
8. To break your own yoke is to rebel, like a stubborn draft animal who refuses to obey his master's 
commands (read "you" as in Jer. 2:20 NIV; 5:5). 
9. An iron yoke cannot be broken (Deut. 28:48; Jer. 28:14). 
10. A yoke is a figure of divine discipline (Deut. 28:48, of nations, Jer. 27:8, 11–12; 28:14; Hos. 10:11). 
11. Circumcision and the Law was a heavy yoke to the Jews (Acts 15:10; cf. Jer. 2:20). 
12. Jesus invites us to take his yoke and put it on our necks willingly—to be co-workers with him 
(Matt. 11:29). 
13. Jesus' yoke is kind (chrestos)—not heavy or oppressive like that of the Pharisees (Matt. 11:30). 
Contrast the heavy yoke of Solomon and Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:4, 14).