Yoke
In the Bible, the term "yoke" is often used metaphorically to symbolize submission, burden, and control. A yoke is a wooden frame used to join two animals, typically oxen, for the purpose of plowing fields or pulling heavy loads. This imagery is employed in various scriptural contexts to illustrate relationships of authority and the responsibilities that come with them. For example, in Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites those who are weary to take His yoke upon them, suggesting that accepting His guidance and teachings will relieve them of their burdens and provide rest. Here, the yoke represents a relationship of discipleship, where following Jesus leads to a lighter load compared to the oppressive demands of legalism or sin.Additionally, the concept of a yoke appears in contexts of covenant and servitude. In Jeremiah 27:8-11, the yoke symbolizes submission to foreign powers, where the people of Judah are commanded to submit to Babylonian rule as part of God's judgment. The term also appears in 2 Corinthians 6:14, where Paul warns against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers, emphasizing the need for harmony in relationships and shared values among believers. Thus, in biblical literature, the yoke serves as a powerful symbol of both the burdens we bear and the divine partnership offered in Christ.