"the neck, Mt. 18:6; Mk. 9:42; Lk. 15:20; 17:2; ἐπιθεῖναι ζυγὸν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον, to put a yoke upon the neck of someone, met. to bind to a burdensome observance, Acts 15:10; 20:37; ὑποτιθέναι τὸν τράχηλον, to lay down one’s neck under the axe of the executioner, to imperil one’s ..."
Definition and meaning
the neck, Mt. 18:6; Mk. 9:42; Lk. 15:20; 17:2; ἐπιθεῖναι ζυγὸν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον, to put a yoke upon the neck of someone, met. to bind to a burdensome observance, Acts 15:10; 20:37; ὑποτιθέναι τὸν τράχηλον, to lay down one’s neck under the axe of the executioner, to imperil one’s life, Rom. 16:4*
In the original Greek the word is written: τράχηλος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of trachelos (G5137) across the King James Bible.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
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Common questions
Strong's G5137 (trachelos) is a Greek word that means: the neck, Mt. 18:6; Mk. 9:42; Lk. 15:20; 17:2; ἐπιθεῖναι ζυγὸν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον, to put a yoke upon the neck of someone, met. to bind to a burdensome observance, Acts 15:10; 20:37; ὑποτιθέναι τὸν τράχ... It appears 7 times in the King James Bible.
The word trachelos (G5137) appears 7 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5137 is trachelos, a Greek word defined as: the neck, Mt. 18:6; Mk. 9:42; Lk. 15:20; 17:2; ἐπιθεῖναι ζυγὸν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον, to put a yoke upon the neck of someone, met. to bind to a burdensome . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
trachelos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.