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Yoke

Artifacts

What is the meaning of Yoke in the Bible?

A yoke was a wooden or metal bar fastened to the foreheads of cattle at the root of their horns, used for plowing and other agricultural tasks. The form and weight of the yoke varied depending on the nature of the work.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the physical burden and control exerted by a yoke clarifies biblical metaphors regarding obedience, discipline, and the relationship between humanity and the divine.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Yoke were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Yoke in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Yoke clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Yoke." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/yoke/
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