ζεῦγος
a yoke, team, pair
Definition
The Greek word ζεῦγος primarily means 'a yoke' or 'a pair of animals joined by a yoke,' such as oxen used for plowing or pulling a cart. By extension, it refers to any 'pair' or 'couple' of items or animals that are matched or work together. In the New Testament, it appears only in Luke 2:24, where it refers to a pair of turtledoves or pigeons offered for purification according to the Mosaic law, and in Luke 14:19, where it refers to a pair of oxen that a man has bought and needs to examine, illustrating a practical excuse for not attending a banquet.
Biblical Usage
ζεῦγος is used twice in the Gospel of Luke, both times in literal, everyday contexts. In Luke 2:24, it describes the sacrificial offering prescribed in Leviticus 12:8 for a mother's purification after childbirth, highlighting compliance with the Law. In Luke 14:19, it is part of a parable (the Great Banquet), where a man uses his new pair of oxen as an excuse to decline an invitation, representing worldly preoccupations. There are no abstract or metaphorical uses in the NT.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek verb ζεύγνυμι (zeugnymi, G2218), meaning 'to yoke' or 'to join.' The root conveys the idea of joining two things together. Cognates include ζυγός (zygos, G2218), which is the more common word for 'yoke' and is often used metaphorically (e.g., Matthew 11:29-30). ζεῦγος specifically emphasizes the pair or team created by the yoke.
Semantic Range
In the ancient agrarian society, a ζεῦγος of oxen was a significant economic asset, essential for farming and transportation. The pair of birds in Luke 2:24 reflects the Mosaic law's provision for those who could not afford a lamb (Leviticus 12:8), showing God's accommodation for the poor. The excuse in Luke 14:19 would have been understood as a weighty, legitimate-seeming reason to a first-century audience, as inspecting new livestock was a serious matter.
ζυγός (zygos, G2218) — the yoke itself, often used metaphorically for submission or burden; δύο (dyo, G1417) — simply the number 'two,' without the connotation of being joined or paired.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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