Definition and Context
Yoking, in biblical terms, refers to the practice of joining two animals together with a yoke, a wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart they are to pull. This agricultural practice is frequently used metaphorically in the Bible to describe various forms of partnership, union, or burden.

Old Testament References
The concept of yoking is first introduced in the context of agriculture. In Deuteronomy 22:10, the Israelites are commanded, "Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together." This law underscores the importance of compatibility and balance, as mismatched animals would struggle to work effectively together. The principle extends beyond agriculture, symbolizing the need for harmony in partnerships.

In 1 Kings 12:4, the people of Israel appeal to Rehoboam, saying, "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you." Here, the yoke represents the burdensome demands and oppressive rule imposed by Solomon, illustrating how yoking can symbolize subjugation and hardship.

New Testament References
In the New Testament, yoking takes on a more spiritual and relational dimension. Jesus uses the metaphor of a yoke to describe discipleship and the nature of His teachings. In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus invites, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Here, the yoke signifies the guidance and teachings of Christ, contrasting with the heavy burdens of legalistic religious practices.

The Apostle Paul also employs the metaphor of yoking in 2 Corinthians 6:14, where he advises, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" This passage warns against forming binding relationships with those who do not share the same faith, emphasizing the importance of spiritual unity and purity.

Theological Implications
Yoking in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for relationships and responsibilities. It highlights the importance of compatibility, shared values, and mutual support in partnerships, whether they be marital, business, or spiritual. The biblical injunctions against unequal yoking underscore the potential spiritual and moral conflicts that can arise from alliances with those who do not share the same faith or values.

The yoke of Christ, as described in the New Testament, offers a profound theological insight into the nature of Christian discipleship. It suggests that following Christ involves a commitment that, while requiring submission and obedience, ultimately leads to spiritual rest and fulfillment. This stands in stark contrast to the burdensome yokes of legalism and sin, offering believers a path of grace and peace.

Practical Applications
In practical terms, the biblical concept of yoking encourages believers to seek partnerships that are spiritually and morally aligned. This principle can be applied to marriage, business ventures, and other forms of collaboration, urging Christians to prioritize shared faith and values in their relationships.

Furthermore, the call to take on the yoke of Christ invites believers to embrace His teachings and leadership, finding rest and purpose in a life of discipleship. It challenges Christians to evaluate the burdens they carry and to exchange them for the lighter, more fulfilling yoke offered by Jesus.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Yoke.359. analusis -- a loosing, departure
... Definition: departing, departure from this life Definition: a loosing, departing,
departure (from this life); (Probably a metaphor from the yoking and unyoking ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/359.htm - 6k

2934. ktenos -- a beast of burden
... a beast of burden Definition: a beast of burden (generally, a horse or mule) either
for riding or for carrying loads on its back, or for yoking to a cart or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2934.htm - 6k

504. eleph -- cattle
... family, kine, oxen. From 'alph; a family; also (from the sense of yoking or taming)
an ox or cow -- family, kine, oxen. see HEBREW 'alph. 503, 504. ...
/hebrew/504.htm - 6k

How Does it Come?
... What an amount of unequal yoking there is in many of our Churches, although the
Church's Lord expressly forbids it! ... Who is responsible for this unequal yoking? ...
/.../macneil/the spirit-filled life/chapter xiv how does it.htm

Concerning "Great," "Small," "Same," "Different," "Like," "Unlike ...
... and causing a similar quality of Identity to shine forth from Itself upon all things
that are capable of participating therein and yoking different things in ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter ix concerning great small.htm

Thus was all the Earth Afflicted; and from East to West...
... How pleasing the spectacle to God, when He beheld you a conqueror, yoking in your
chariot not white horses, nor enormous elephants, but those very men who had ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xvi thus was all.htm

On the Sunday Called "Episozomenes," to those who had Come to ...
... discipline, for he was appointed, it is said, "to till the garden, and to keep it."
Each of these men you may see at one time employed in yoking the labouring ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xix on the sunday.htm

On Marriage.
... Those, then, will not escape the curse of yoking an ass with an ox, who, judging
certain things not to suit them, command others to do them, or the reverse. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxiii on marriage.htm

Involution
... a unity which consists in the subordination of all these to similar aims, not to
similar principles of action"that is to say, in like methods of yoking a few ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter x involution.htm

The Domestic Relation.
... No doubt but it does forbid the unmarried Christian yoking up with an unbeliever,
as in 1:Cor.7:39 the woman whose husband is dead is at liberty to marry whom ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xiii the domestic relation.htm

'Fruit which is Death'
... Punishment is yoking men to their sins, and making them drag the burden like bullocks
in harness. What sort of load are we getting together for ourselves? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/fruit which is death.htm

Mordecai and Esther
... For men and for nations there is only the choice of yoking themselves to the car,
and finding themselves borne along rather than bearing it, and partaking the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/mordecai and esther.htm

Luke of Prague and the High Church Reaction. 1473-1530.
... who are leaving Babylon. If a man does this he is yoking himself with strangers.
Marriage never made anyone holy yet. It is a hindrance ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi luke of prague.htm

Yoking (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Yoke. Multi-Version Concordance
Yoking (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 6:10 And the men did ...
/y/yoking.htm - 6k

Yokes (6 Occurrences)

/y/yokes.htm - 8k

Yon (2 Occurrences)

/y/yon.htm - 7k

Unequal (5 Occurrences)
... for lo' thakhan, "not weighed," "illogical." "Unequally" in 2 Corinthians 6:14,
in the phrase "unequally yoked," heterozugeo, is used of the yoking together of ...
/u/unequal.htm - 8k

Cord (47 Occurrences)
... Frequently used in its proper sense, for fastening a tent (Exodus 35:18; 39:40),
yoking animals to a cart (Isaiah 5:18), binding prisoners (Judges 15:13; Psalm ...
/c/cord.htm - 27k

Shutting (43 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Samuel 6:10 And the men did so; they took two cows, yoking them to the
cart and shutting up their young ones in their living-place: (BBE). ...
/s/shutting.htm - 19k

Living-place (83 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Samuel 6:10 And the men did so; they took two cows, yoking them to the
cart and shutting up their young ones in their living-place: (BBE). ...
/l/living-place.htm - 32k

What was the significance of the commands against mixing different things in Deuteronomy 22:9 11? | GotQuestions.org

What does yoke mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be in one accord? | GotQuestions.org

Yoking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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