Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5429 oaths  »  5430 oaths, human

Solemn, binding statements made in God's name. The OT forbids the making of oaths in the name of other gods and the NT suggests that it is best to refrain from making oaths.

Oaths are considered binding

Numbers 30:2 See also Deuteronomy 23:21; Matthew 23:16-22

Oaths to be taken only in God's name

Deuteronomy 6:13 See also Psalm 24:3-4; Jeremiah 12:16

False oaths forbidden

Leviticus 19:12 See also Exodus 20:7 pp Deuteronomy 5:11; Leviticus 6:3-5; Zechariah 5:3-4

Examples of oaths

In bearing witness

Exodus 22:11; Numbers 5:19; 1 Kings 8:31

In showing allegiance

2 Kings 11:4; Ecclesiastes 8:2; Jeremiah 38:16; Ezekiel 17:13

In covenants

Genesis 21:22-31; Genesis 26:26-31; Genesis 31:44-53; Joshua 9:3-21

As a curse

Joshua 6:26; Matthew 26:71-74 pp Mark 14:70-71

As assurance that a promise will be kept

Genesis 14:22-23 See also Genesis 24:3-9,37-41; Genesis 47:28-31; Genesis 50:24-25; Psalm 132:1-5

Unwise or thoughtless oaths

Genesis 25:33 See also Leviticus 5:4; Matthew 14:6-7 pp Mark 6:22-23

Advice against taking oaths

James 5:12 See also Matthew 5:33-37

See also

1345  covenant
5440  perjury
5444  pledges
5741  vows
8650  hands, lifting up