1964. epiorkeó
Lexical Summary
epiorkeó: To swear falsely, to perjure oneself

Original Word: ἐπιορκέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: epiorkeó
Pronunciation: ep-ee-or-KEH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-or-keh'-o)
KJV: forswear self
NASB: make false vows
Word Origin: [from G1965 (ἐπίορκος - perjurers)]

1. to commit perjury

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
perjure, swear falsely

From epiorkos; to commit perjury -- forswear self.

see GREEK epiorkos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from epiorkos
Definition
to swear falsely
NASB Translation
make false vows (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1964: ἐπιορκέω

ἐπιορκέω, ἐπιόρκω: future ἐπιορκήσω, cf. Krüger, § 40, under the word, and § 39, 12, 4; (Veitch, under the word; Buttmann, 53 (46)); (ἐπίορκος, which see); to swear falsely, forswear oneself: Matthew 5:33. (Wis. 14:28; 1 Esdr. 1:46; by Greek writings from Homer down.)

Topical Lexicon
Word and Context

The single New Testament appearance of Strong’s Greek 1964 occurs in Matthew 5:33, where Jesus addresses the practice of swearing oaths and explicitly warns, “Do not break your oath” (ἐπιορκήσεις). The term encapsulates the sin of violating a promise made before God, underlining the seriousness of truth-telling in covenant relationship.

Old Testament Background to False Oaths

The Torah repeatedly condemns perjury (Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23). A false oath profanes the divine name because every sworn statement invokes God as witness (Exodus 20:7). The prophets extend this ethic, rebuking Israel for combining worship with dishonesty (Jeremiah 7:9-10; Zechariah 8:17). Matthew 5:33 summarizes this legacy: “You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’”

Jesus’ Teaching in Matthew 5:33

Jesus situates false oath-taking within the greater righteousness of the kingdom (Matthew 5:20). By moving from external compliance to inner integrity, He insists that disciples’ ordinary speech (“Yes, yes” or “No, no,” Matthew 5:37) must be so reliable that oaths become unnecessary. The prohibition against ἐπιορκέω therefore functions both negatively (do not swear falsely) and positively (speak truth from the heart, Psalm 15:2). Anything beyond straightforward honesty “comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37), exposing the spiritual roots of deception.

Ethical and Theological Implications

1. Sanctity of God’s Name: Every deceitful oath drags God’s character into human falsehood, contradicting His nature as “the God of truth” (Isaiah 65:16).
2. Integrity of Community: Social trust depends on truthful speech; false oaths fracture covenant society (Zechariah 8:16-17).
3. Eschatological Accountability: Revelation 21:8 places “all liars” among those excluded from the New Jerusalem, revealing final judgment on covenant breakers.
4. Wholeness of Discipleship: Following Christ entails a seamless garment of integrity where word and deed align (James 5:12 echoes Matthew 5:33-37).

Ministry Applications

• Personal discipleship: Encourage believers to eliminate exaggeration, half-truths, and casual “I swear” language, cultivating credibility without formal oath-swearing.
• Church leadership: Elders and teachers must model transparent speech, recognizing that broken promises discredit gospel witness (Titus 2:7-8).
• Pastoral counseling: Help individuals repent of dishonesty, seek forgiveness, and, where possible, make restitution for harm caused by false promises (Luke 19:8-9).
• Public engagement: Christians in legal or civic contexts may use formal oaths while remembering Christ’s call to truthful simplicity, ensuring no oath becomes a license for double-standard ethics.

Historical Interpretation

Early church writers like Justin Martyr and Tertullian viewed Matthew 5:33 as prohibiting ordinary Christians from oath-taking, though they allowed legal oaths under compulsion. Reformers differed: Martin Luther accepted necessary civil oaths; the Anabaptists rejected them entirely, citing Christ’s words. Mainstream Protestantism today maintains that lawful oaths are permissible if truth and justice require them, but all traditions agree that perjury is sin.

Related Scriptures

Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Psalm 15:2-4; Jeremiah 7:9-10; Zechariah 8:16-17; Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12; Revelation 21:8.

Conclusion

Strong’s 1964 spotlights the gravity of violating sworn commitments. Jesus intensifies Old Testament teaching by rooting honesty in the transformed heart, directing His followers toward speech so dependable that no oath is needed. In personal life, church practice, and public witness, the avoidance of ἐπιορκέω remains an essential mark of authentic Christian character.

Forms and Transliterations
επιορκησεις επιορκήσεις ἐπιορκήσεις epiorkeseis epiorkēseis epiorkḗseis
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 5:33 V-FIA-2S
GRK: ἀρχαίοις Οὐκ ἐπιορκήσεις ἀποδώσεις δὲ
NAS: were told, YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL
KJV: not forswear thyself, but
INT: ancients not You will swear falsely you will keep moreover

Strong's Greek 1964
1 Occurrence


ἐπιορκήσεις — 1 Occ.

1963
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