Lexical Summary horkizó: To adjure, to charge under oath, to solemnly command Original Word: ὁρκίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance adjure, charge. From horkos; to put on oath, i.e. Make swear; by analogy, to solemnly enjoin -- adjure, charge. see GREEK horkos HELPS Word-studies 3726 horkízō (from 3727 /hórkos, "an oath") – properly, make someone swear (as in Xenophon, Polybius); to adjure (Abbott-Smith), i.e. to bind under the obligation of oath. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom horkos Definition to make (one) swear, to adjure NASB Translation adjure (1), implore (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3726: ὁρκίζωὁρκίζω; (ὅρκος); 1. to force to take an oath, to administer an oath to: Xenophon, conviv. 4, 10; Demosthenes, Polybius; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 361. 2. to adjure (solemnly implore), with two accusative of person, viz. of the one who is adjured and of the one by whom he is adjured (cf. Matthiae, § 413, 10; (Buttmann, 147 (128))): 1 Thessalonians 5:27 R G (see ἐνορκίζω); Mark 5:7; Acts 19:13. (the Sept. for הִשְׁבִּיעַ , τινα followed by κατά with the genitive, 1 Kings 2:42 ( Strong’s Greek 3726 conveys the act of placing someone under solemn obligation by invoking a higher authority. In biblical settings the practice is rooted in the ancient Near-Eastern conviction that an oath appeals to the deity as the final witness and judge of human words. Such an adjuration is never a casual formality; it binds the conscience before God and carries covenantal weight. Old Testament Foundations of Adjuration The Hebrew Scriptures portray adjuration as both a lawful tool and a potential snare. Priests could “put under oath” a suspected sinner (Leviticus 5:1). Kings or prophets laid binding charges on individuals (1 Kings 22:16; Jeremiah 38:16). Even demons understood that invoking the divine name—whether sincerely or manipulatively—signals ultimate accountability (cf. Judges 9:57). This background informs every New Testament occurrence of 3726. Usage in the New Testament The verb appears three times, each revealing a different dimension of spiritual authority: • Mark 5:7 – A demon adjures Jesus for mercy. Mark 5:7 — Demonic Recognition and Desperate Plea The Gerasene demoniac “cried out in a loud voice, ‘I adjure You by God not to torment me!’” The evil spirit acknowledges Jesus as “Son of the Most High God,” testifying to His divine authority even while opposing Him. By invoking God’s name the spirit admits that Jesus answers directly to that same divine authority, thereby exposing the futility of satanic resistance. The episode demonstrates: 1. Christ’s superiority over all spiritual powers. Acts 19:13 — Misuse of Sacred Authority Certain “itinerant Jewish exorcists” attempted to expel evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” Their formulaic use of the name lacked personal submission to Christ. The ensuing humiliation—one possessed man overpowered seven brothers—illustrates: 1. The vanity of ritual apart from faith. The incident also heightened Ephesus’ reverence for genuine apostolic preaching, leading many to renounce occult practices (Acts 19:17-20). 1 Thessalonians 5:27 — Apostolic Charge to the Church “I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.” Paul’s adjuration elevates the public reading of Scripture to a sacred duty. Key implications include: 1. Canon-forming authority: even at an early date the apostle’s writings were placed on par with inspired Scripture. Theological and Practical Implications 1. Divine Name and Integrity Invoking God’s name binds the speaker to truthfulness and reverent obedience (Matthew 5:33-37). Misuse invites judgment; proper use magnifies God’s holiness and the reliability of His promises (Hebrews 6:13-18). 2. Spiritual Authority Genuine authority flows from union with Christ, not from formulas. The believer’s power to confront darkness rests in the indwelling Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-18), while unbelief or hypocrisy leaves one exposed (Acts 19:16). 3. Ministry of the Word Paul’s solemn charge underscores the church’s mandate to preserve, proclaim, and practice Scripture. The same seriousness should govern modern preaching, teaching, and translation efforts. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Guard the pulpit: treat Scriptural exposition as a sacred trust, avoiding trivialization or sensationalism. Modern Relevance Believers still face temptations to leverage spiritual language for personal gain, whether through casual oath-taking, manipulative prayers, or commodified deliverance ministries. Strong’s 3726 warns that the Lord of the oath hears every word. A life aligned with Him—rather than empty invocations—bears the fruit of authentic authority, victorious ministry, and a church steadfast in the public, reverent reading of the Word. Englishman's Concordance Mark 5:7 V-PIA-1SGRK: τοῦ ὑψίστου ὁρκίζω σε τὸν NAS: God? I implore You by God, KJV: God? I adjure thee INT: the Most High I adjure you Acts 19:13 V-PIA-1S 1 Thessalonians 5:27 V-PIA-1S Strong's Greek 3726 |
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