Oaths are a significant component of biblical discourse, utilized to underscore commitments, agreements, or promises made between individuals, or between individuals and God. Scriptures within both the Old and New Testaments provide rich insight into the meaning, importance, and potential implications of oaths.
What Constitutes an Oath in the Bible?
Biblically, an oath involves a solemn promise or agreement, often calling upon God as a witness to the truth of a statement or the sincerity of a pledge. Its foundational role is to validate the truth and secure trust among people, especially in religious, legal, and social contexts. It is essential to realize that making an oath is more than just a casual promise – it means invoking divine acknowledgement and intervention should the promise remain unfulfilled.
Why Are Oaths Taken Seriously in the Bible?
Oaths carry significant weight due to their divine linkage. The Bible affirms that oaths should not be taken lightly since they enthrone God as a witness to the statements or commitments made. Unlike conventional promises, oaths tie one’s words to expected subsequent action, thus raising the stakes of fulfillment. Breaking an oath, therefore, is seen to disrespect or challenge the divine order, attracting potential spiritual repercussions.
Who Is Authorized To Take an Oath in the Bible?
Everyone is generally permitted to make an oath in the Bible, but the weight, significance, and repercussions of breaking an oath make it advisable for the participant to be a mature, discerning adult. For instance, leaders, elders, and individuals entering into contracts often use oaths. The Bible, however, discourages swearing falsely or making rash vows, emphasizing the immense gravity and potential consequences of oaths.
When Are Oaths Used in the Bible?
Oaths are often invoked during crucial episodes in the Bible, such as confirmation of treaties, promises, or covenants. For example, kingdoms making peace agreements may exchange oaths as part of ratifying the arrangement. Oaths also feature in moments of personal commitment, such as devoting one’s life to divine service. Furthermore, oaths can come into play in judicial settings to substantiate the truth of an account or assertion.
Where Are There Conflicting Views on Oaths in the Bible?
Despite the widespread usage of oaths, differing views exist within the Bible regarding their appropriateness. Some verses admonish against the practice, encouraging truthfulness in all forms of communication instead of relying on oaths to validate truth. Additionally, the New Testament presents a radical shift in teachings about oaths, with Jesus advising his followers to refrain from making oaths at all. This dissension can be interpreted as a call to cultivate honesty and integrity as inherent characteristics, rather than relying on ritualistic oaths to enforce truthfulness.
Below is our full list of bible verses on oaths (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Oaths
Matthew 5:33-37
“33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
Related Themes: Swearing
James 5:12
“12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Education Idleness Swearing
Numbers 30:2
“2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”
Related Themes: Commitment
Deuteronomy 23:21-23
“21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.23 That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.”
Hebrews 6:13
“13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,”
Hebrews 6:16
“16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.”
Leviticus 19:12
“12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.”
Hebrews 6:17
“17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:”
Psalm 15:4
“4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth
Exodus 20:7
“7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
Hebrews 7:28
“28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”
Matthew 5:34
“34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:”
Related Themes: Omnipresence Sovereignty
Deuteronomy 6:13
“13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.”
Related Themes: Idleness
Hebrews 3:18
“18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?”
Hebrews 7:21
“21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)”
Related Themes: Change
Ecclesiastes 5:4
“4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.”
Related Themes: Money
Matthew 5:37
“37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Honesty Sarcasm Consistency Leadership
Matthew 23:18-22
“18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.”
Matthew 23:16-22
“16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.”
Deuteronomy 10:20
“20 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.”
Exodus 22:11
“11 Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.”
Jeremiah 12:16
“16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.”
Hebrews 4:3
“3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”
Related Themes: Retribution Lust Rest
Jeremiah 38:16
“16 So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.”
Luke 1:73
“73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,”
Matthew 26:63
“63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.”
1 Kings 2:23
“23 Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life.”
Ruth 1:17
“17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”
Related Themes: Friendship
Judges 21:5
“5 And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.”
Related Themes: Discipline
Ruth 3:13
“13 Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning.”
