"also spelled ζυγόν, ου, τό (n-2c), pr. a cross bar or band; a yoke; met. a yoke of servile condition, 1 Tim. 6:1; a yoke of service or obligation, Mt. 11:29, 30; Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1; the beam of a balance; a balance, Rev. 6:5*"
Definition and meaning
also spelled ζυγόν, ου, τό (n-2c), pr. a cross bar or band; a yoke; met. a yoke of servile condition, 1 Tim. 6:1; a yoke of service or obligation, Mt. 11:29, 30; Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1; the beam of a balance; a balance, Rev. 6:5*
In the original Greek the word is written: ζυγός
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 zygos (G2218) across the King James Bible.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
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?
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
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Common questions
Strong's G2218 (zygos) is a Greek word that means: also spelled ζυγόν, ου, τό (n-2c), pr. a cross bar or band; a yoke; met. a yoke of servile condition, 1 Tim. 6:1; a yoke of service or obligation, Mt. 11:29, 30; Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1; the beam of a ba... It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word zygos (G2218) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2218 is zygos, a Greek word defined as: also spelled ζυγόν, ου, τό (n-2c), pr. a cross bar or band; a yoke; met. a yoke of servile condition, 1 Tim. 6:1; a yoke of service or obligation, Mt.. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
zygos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.