Quick Definition
ζυγός, οῦ, ὁ n.m. a yoke, heavy burden, pair of scales
Strong's Definition
from the root of zeugnumi (to join, especially by a "yoke"); a coupling, i.e. (figuratively) servitude (a law or obligation); also (literally) the beam of the balance (as connecting the scales)
KJV Usage: pair of balances, yoke
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, m. | -οῦ
6.8 · Artifacts · Instruments Used in Agriculture and Husbandry
yoke a bar or frame of wood by which two draft animals are joined at the head or neck in order to work together effectively in pulling a plow, harrow, or wagon ζυγός[a] occurs in the NT only in figurative contexts. In a sense, this means that ζυγός is itself figurative in meaning, but the figure of speech is an extended figure in which case individual components are normally regarded as having a literal meaning.
6.214 · Artifacts · Instruments for Measuring
balance scale an instrument for weighing objects A balance scale may be described in some languages as ‘a tool for weighing’ or ‘an instrument for knowing how much something weighs.’ Ancient balance scales often consisted of a rod held by a cord in the middle and with pans attached to both ends. Weights could be placed in one pan, while the item to be weighed would be placed in the other.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ζυγός, -ov, ὁ, for which in Grk. writ. before Polyb. τὸ ζυγόν was more com., (fr. Cevyrupt) ; 1. a yoke; a. prop. such as is put on draught-cattle. b. metaph. used of any burden or bondage: as that of slavery, 1 Tim. vi. 1 (Lev. xxvi. 13), δουλείας, Gal. ν. 1 (Soph. Ai. 944; δουλοσύνης, Dem. 322, 12); of troublesome laws imposed on one, esp. of the Mosaic law, Acts xv. 10; Gal. ν. 1; hence the name is so transferred to the commands of Christ as to contrast them with the commands of the Pharisees which were a veritable ‘yoke’; yet even Christ’s commands must be submitted to, though easier to be kept : Mt. xi. 29 sq. (less aptly in Clem. Rom. 1 Cor. 16, 17 Christians are called οἱ ὑπὸ τὸν ζυγὸν τῆς χάριτος ἐλθόντες [ εἴ. Harnack ad loc.]). 2. a balance, pair of scales: Rev. vi. 5 (as in Is. xl. 12; Ley. xix. 36; Plat. rep. 8, 550 e.; Ael. v. h. 10, 6; al.).
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ζυγός zygos 6x
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*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ζυγός (in cl. more freq. τὸ ζυγόν), -οῦ, ὁ
(< ζεύγνυμι), [in LXX for עֹל, מֹאזְנַיִם, etc.;]
a yoke; metaph., of bondage or submission to authority: Mt 11:29, 30, Ac 15:10, Ga 5:1, I Ti 6:1.
a balance: Re 6:5 (cf. Is 40:12, al.).†
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ζυγός (zugos) — yoke/scales. ζῠγόν, τό, also ζυγός, ὁ, (in various senses), [NT+5th c.BC+]: rarely in plural, ζυγοί [LXX+5th c.BC+]: Delph. δυγός (which see).
I. yoke of a plough or carriage, ζ. ἵππειον [Refs 8th c.BC+]; ὑπὸ ζυγόφιν (i.e. ζυγοῦ) λύον ἵππους [Refs 8th c.BC+]. 'to be in the same boat', [Refs 3rd c.BC+]
I.2. metaphorically, ἐπὶ ζυγὸς αὐχένι κεῖται [Refs 6th c.BC+]; ἐπαυχένιον λαβεῖν ζ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; δούλιον ζ. the yoke of slavery, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; δουλείας, ἀνάγκης ζ., [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐπιτιθέναι τινὶ ζυγὰ τοῦ μὴ.. so as to prevent.., [Refs 5th c.BC+]
II. crossbar of the φόρμιγξ, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
II.2. ζυγὸς ἡ τῆς ἀμπέλου πρὸς τὴν χάρακα συζυγία [Refs]
III. in plural, thwarts or benches joining the opposite sides of a ship, [Refs 8th c.BC+]: rarely in singular, θοὸν εἰρεσίας ζυγόν [Refs 5th c.BC+]: metaphorically, of the seat of authority compared to the helmsman's seat, ἐς τὸ πρῶτον πόλεος ζ. [Refs 5th c.BC+]; σὺ ταῦτα φωνεῖς νερτέρᾳ προσήμενος κώπῃ, κρατούντων τῶν ἐπὶ ζυγῷ δορό; while on the main thwart sits authority, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; also of a coachman's seat, box, [Refs 6th c.AD+]
III.2. in plural, panels of a door, [Refs]; compare ζευγίον.
IV. beam of the balance, ζυγὸν ταλάντου [Refs 4th c.BC+]: hence, the balance itself (compare πῆχυς IV), αἴρειν τὸν ζυγόν [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐν πλάστιγγι ζυγοῦ κεῖσθαι [Refs]; ζυγῷ or ἐν τῷ ζ. ἱστάναι, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
IV. b the constellation [Refs 2nd c.BC+]
V. καρχασίου the yard-arm at the mast head, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
VI. cross-strap of a sandal, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ζυγός, ὁ, [Refs 9th c.AD+]
VII. pair, κλεινὸν ζυγόν, of persons, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; κατὰ ζυγά in pairs, [Refs 4th c.BC+]
VIII. rank or line of soldiers, opposed to file (στοῖχος), ἐν τῷ πρώτῳ ζ. ἐμάχοντο τέσσαρες [Refs 5th c.BC+]; κατὰ ζυγόν line with line, [Refs 2nd c.BC+]; especially front rank, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]; also of the Chorus, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
IX. ζυγὰ ἢ ἄζυγα even or odd, a game, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
X. measure of land, [Refs 4th c.BC+]