Lexical Summary zeugos: Pair, yoke Original Word: ζεῦγος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance yoke, pair. From the same as zugos; a couple, i.e. A team (of oxen yoked together) or brace (of birds tied together) -- yoke, pair. see GREEK zugos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as zugos Definition a pair, a yoke NASB Translation pair (1), yoke (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2201: ζεῦγοςζεῦγος, ζευγεος (ζεύγους), τό (ζεύγνυμι to join, yoke), 1. two draught-cattle (horses or oxen or mules) yoked together, a pair or yoke of beasts: Luke 14:19 (צֶמֶד, 1 Kings 19:19, etc.; often in Greek Writ; from Homer, Iliad 18, 543 down). 2. universally, a pair: Luke 2:24 (Herodotus 3, 130; Aeschylus Ag. 44; Xenophon, oec. 7, 18, and often in Greek writings). Topical Lexicon Term Overview and Semantic Field Strong’s Greek 2201 (zeugos) refers to a “pair” or “yoke”—two items or creatures joined to function together. While the everyday Greek language applied the word to animals, people, or objects in twos, Scripture employs the term only twice, focusing attention on how a united pair serves a larger purpose. Contextual Usage in the New Testament 1. Luke 14:19: “ ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.’ ” In the Parable of the Great Banquet, each zeugos of oxen symbolizes a sizable economic investment. The invited guest values his new means of productivity above fellowship with the host. The pairing of the animals stresses coordinated labor; together they plow more effectively than one alone. The verse thus exposes the human tendency to elevate temporal enterprises over eternal invitation. Historical and Cultural Background In first–century agrarian Palestine a yoke of oxen represented capital goods. Farmers depended on matched animals that could pull evenly; an ill-fitted pair threatened both productivity and animal welfare. Purchasing five yokes signified considerable wealth (Luke 14:19), roughly ten oxen, since each zeugos equals two animals. Conversely, a pair of turtledoves cost little, highlighting the socioeconomic disparity between the banquet refuser and Jesus’ impoverished earthly parents. The Gospel writer Luke deliberately places zeugos in both contexts, contrasting material abundance with humble obedience. Symbolic and Theological Implications • Unity in Service: A zeugos functions only when the two operate in harmony under a single yoke. This mirrors the biblical call to be “yoked together” with Christ (Matthew 11:29), suggesting cooperative submission and shared labor in the kingdom. Practical Applications for Ministry • Discipleship: Encourage believers to evaluate whether professional pursuits, symbolized by “five yoke of oxen,” overshadow participation in God’s banquet—His kingdom work and fellowship. In both occurrences, zeugos quietly but powerfully reinforces Scripture’s consistent message: true value lies not in possessions or status but in wholehearted response to God’s gracious call. Forms and Transliterations Ζευγη Ζεύγη ζευγος ζεύγος ζεῦγος Zeuge Zeugē Zeúge Zeúgē zeugos zeûgosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 2:24 N-NNSGRK: νόμῳ Κυρίου ζεῦγος τρυγόνων ἢ NAS: of the Lord, A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES KJV: of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, INT: law of [the] Lord A pair of turtle doves or Luke 14:19 N-ANP Strong's Greek 2201 |