from the same as ζυγός; a couple, i.e. a team (of oxen yoked together) or brace (of birds tied together):--yoke, pair.
Transliteration:zeûgos
Pronunciation:dzyoo'-gos
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun G2201 (ζεῦγος, *zeûgos*) is derived from G2218 (ζυγός, *zygos*), which signifies a "yoke." Consequently, the core meaning of ζεῦγος is intrinsically linked to the concept of being yoked, paired, or coupled. Its semantic range encompasses:
1. **A pair of animals yoked together:** Most commonly oxen, illustrating a team working in unison under a common yoke. This emphasizes shared labor, cooperative effort, and the bearing of a common burden.
2. **A pair of birds:** Such as doves or pigeons, forming a brace or couple. This usage typically appears in contexts of sacrifice or commercial transaction, highlighting two individual entities forming a required unit.
3. By extension, it can refer to any two items or beings bound together or forming a functional unit. The fundamental idea is always one of two distinct elements joined or associated.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term G2201 (ζεῦγος, *zeûgos*) appears twice in the New Testament, both instances found within the Gospel of Luke:
* **[[Luke 2:24]]**: "and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, 'A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.'"
* In this passage, ζεῦγος refers to the "pair" of birds (turtledoves or pigeons) that Mary and Joseph bring as a purification offering after the birth of Jesus, fulfilling the requirements of the Mosaic Law (cf. [[Leviticus 12:8]]). The context here is ritual purity and the humble obedience of Jesus' parents. The word precisely denotes two individual birds forming the prescribed offering unit.
* **[[Luke 14:19]]**: "Another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine them; please have me excused.'"
* Within the parable of the great banquet, ζεῦγος is translated as "yoke" of oxen. The man's excuse for declining the invitation is his recent purchase of five "yokes" of oxen, implying ten individual animals working in five pairs. This usage directly reflects the primary definition of animals yoked together for agricultural labor. It signifies a significant material acquisition and the demands of worldly responsibilities.
These two occurrences consistently employ ζεῦγος to denote a concrete "pair" or "couple," whether of birds for a sacred purpose or oxen for practical labor. The contexts underscore the functional unity of the pair.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is G2218 (ζυγός, *zygos*), from which G2201 (ζεῦγος, *zeûgos*) is derived.
* G2218 (ζυγός) refers to the "yoke" itself—the wooden bar that joins two animals for work—or metaphorically, a "balance" or "pair of scales," or a "burden" or "bondage." It is the instrument or concept of union or measurement.
* G2201 (ζεῦγος) then refers to the *outcome* of the yoking: the "pair" or "team" that is formed. One is the implement, the other is the unified entity.
Other related concepts include:
* **Partnership and Unity:** The inherent idea of two entities working or existing together for a common purpose, whether in labor (oxen) or ritual (birds). This resonates with broader biblical themes of cooperation, community, and the joining of individuals.
* **Burden and Labor:** Particularly in the context of oxen, ζεῦγος evokes the imagery of agricultural work, physical exertion, and the responsibilities associated with it. This provides a stark contrast to Jesus' invitation in [[Matthew 11:30]] to take "My yoke" (`{{G2218}}`) upon oneself, which is "easy" and "light."
* **Sacrifice and Obedience:** In [[Luke 2:24]], the "pair" of birds signifies a prescribed offering, highlighting adherence to divine law and the purity necessary for worship.
### Theological Significance
While G2201 (ζεῦγος, *zeûgos*) is not a word that carries extensive theological weight in its direct occurrences, its presence in the narrative offers subtle yet significant insights:
1. **Fulfillment of the Law and Humility:** In [[Luke 2:24]], the "pair of turtledoves" highlights Mary and Joseph's meticulous obedience to the Mosaic Law regarding purification. This humble offering, prescribed for those who could not afford a lamb, underscores the accessibility of divine requirements to all socioeconomic strata and signifies Jesus' entry into the world under the Law, foreshadowing His ultimate fulfillment of it.
2. **Earthly Preoccupations vs. Divine Invitation:** The parable in [[Luke 14:19]], where the man uses his "five yoke of oxen" as an excuse, serves as a powerful illustration of how worldly commitments and material possessions can overshadow or even prevent a response to God's kingdom invitation. The "yoke of oxen" symbolizes the demands of business, property, and the tangible concerns of this life that can distract individuals from eternal priorities.
3. **Figurative Understanding of Yoking:** Although ζεῦγος refers to concrete pairs, its etymological link to ζυγός (`{{G2218}}`, "yoke") invites reflection on the broader concept of yoking. The physical ζεῦγος (pair) under a ζυγός (yoke) provides a tangible, relatable image for understanding the nature of burdens, labor, and partnership, whether in the physical realm or in the spiritual walk with Christ. The word subtly grounds abstract theological concepts in everyday experience.
### Summary
The Greek noun G2201 (ζεῦγος, *zeûgos*) denotes a "pair" or "couple," specifically referring to animals yoked together (like oxen) or a brace of birds. Derived from G2218 (ζυγός, "yoke"), it fundamentally signifies two entities united for a common purpose or by a shared bond. Its limited New Testament occurrences in [[Luke 2:24]] and [[Luke 14:19]] consistently depict its concrete meaning: a pair of birds for a ritual offering, and a team of oxen for agricultural labor. Theologically, ζεῦγος highlights the meticulous adherence to Mosaic Law in the context of Jesus' birth and serves as a parabolic symbol of earthly concerns that can hinder spiritual commitment. While not a word of profound theological complexity in itself, it provides vivid, tangible imagery that subtly undergirds broader biblical themes of obedience, priorities, and the nature of shared labor and burdens.
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