ζυγόςzygós
a coupling, i.e. (figuratively) servitude (a law or obligation); also (literally) the beam of the balance (as connecting the scales)
Greek (New Testament) · G2218
Meanings
1. a yoke; metaphorically, of bondage or submission to authority: Matthew 11:29, Matthew 11:30, Acts 15:10, Galatians 5:1, 1 Timothy 6:1.
2. a balance: Revelation 6:5 (cf. Isaiah 40:12, and elsewhere).
Same root
- ζώνηzṓnē · G2223a belt; by implication, a pocket
- ὑποζύγιονhypozýgion · G5268an animal under the yoke (draught-beast), i.e. (specially), a donkey
- ζευκτηρίαzeuktēría · G2202a fastening (tiller-rope)
- ζεῦγοςzeûgos · G2201a couple, i.e. a team (of oxen yoked together) or brace (of birds tied together)
- ἑτεροζυγέωheterozygéō · G2086to yoke up differently, i.e. (figuratively) to associate discordantly
Where it appears
Appears 6 times in the Bible.
- Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
- Acts 15:10 So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear?
- Galatians 5:1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
- 1 Timothy 6:1 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching.
- Revelation 6:5 When the Lamb broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Come!” I looked up and saw a black horse, and its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.