The term "adjured" in the Bible refers to the act of solemnly urging or commanding someone under oath or invoking a sacred obligation. This concept is rooted in the seriousness and binding nature of oaths in biblical times, where words spoken under oath were considered irrevocable and carried significant weight.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the act of adjuring is often associated with invoking the name of God to bind an individual to a promise or a curse. One notable instance is found in Joshua 6:26, where Joshua adjures the Israelites concerning the rebuilding of Jericho: "At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: 'Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: At the cost of his firstborn son he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.'" . This adjuration highlights the gravity and divine backing of the oath, emphasizing the severe consequences of disobedience.

Another example is in 1 Samuel 14:24, where King Saul adjures the people, saying, "Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, 'Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!'" . Saul's adjuration demonstrates the use of oaths to enforce discipline and commitment among his troops, though it also illustrates the potential for rash and burdensome vows.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of adjuring is seen in the context of legal and spiritual authority. In Matthew 26:63, during the trial of Jesus, the high priest Caiaphas uses an adjuration to compel Jesus to speak: "But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, 'I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.'" . Here, the high priest invokes the authority of God to demand a truthful response, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Another significant instance is found in Acts 19:13, where certain Jewish exorcists attempt to use the name of Jesus to cast out evil spirits: "Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, 'In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.'" . This reflects the belief in the power of adjuration when invoking a higher authority, though it also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of misusing sacred names without genuine faith or authority.

Theological Implications

The act of adjuring in the Bible underscores the importance of truthfulness, integrity, and the fear of God in human interactions. It reflects the belief that words spoken under divine authority are binding and carry spiritual and moral consequences. The biblical narrative warns against the careless or manipulative use of oaths, as seen in the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:33-37, where He advises against swearing oaths altogether, urging instead for simple honesty: "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" .

In summary, the concept of adjuring in the Bible serves as a reminder of the sacredness of words and the responsibility that comes with invoking divine authority. It calls believers to a higher standard of truthfulness and reverence for God's name in all their dealings.(imp. & p. p.) of Adjure.

Of the Wonders Effected by the Power of the Cross, and of Demons.
... How great a terror this sign is to the demons, he will know who shall see how, when
adjured by Christ, they flee from the bodies which they have besieged. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxvii of the wonders effected.htm

After This, Pilate Going into the Temple of the Jews...
... Being thus adjured, Annas and Caiaphas ordered all the others who were with them
to go out of the sanctuary; and themselves shut all the gates of the temple ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 12 28 after this.htm

That Demons have no Power Over those who are Established in the ...
... But they fear the righteous, [331] that is, the worshippers of God, adjured by whose
name they depart [332] from the bodies of the possessed: for, being lashed ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvi that demons have no.htm

Theory of Magic.
... he is altogether deserving of punishment"so it is impossible for the demons not
to serve the angels who are their generals; and when they are adjured by them ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter v theory of magic.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Adjure an Irrational Creature?
... creatures. On the contrary, Simon and Jude are related to have adjured dragons
and to have commanded them to withdraw into the desert. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 22.htm

Blessed is He who Atoned Your Sins, that Ye Might Receive his Body ...
... mercy Thou too hast sworn,"Rabboni, "In the death of him that dieth,"I have no pleasure,
but in his life.""Thou hast sworn and I have adjured:"O Thou ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii blessed is he.htm

The Greatest Trial on Record
... Finding that their witness, even when tortured to the highest degree, was not strong
enough, the high priest, to get matter of accusation, adjured him by the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the greatest trial on record.htm

The Testament of Zebulun Concerning Compassion and Mercy.
... But when they wished to kill him, I adjured them much with tears not to be guilty
of this iniquity. 2. For Simeon and Gad came against Joseph to kill him. ...
/.../vi the testament of zebulun concerning.htm

Of Silent Acquiescence in Heathen Formularies.
... or by hearing them so called? Whether you swear by idols, or, when adjured
by another, acquiesce? Why should we not recognize the ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xxi of silent acquiescence in.htm

Argument: Recapitulation Doubtless Here is a Source of Error ...
... These Things Not from God; But They are Constrained to Confess When They are Adjured
in the Name of the True God, and are Driven from the Possessed Bodies. ...
/.../chapter xxvii argument recapitulation doubtless here.htm

Adjured (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Adjure. Multi-Version Concordance
Adjured (11 Occurrences). Joshua 6:26 And Joshua adjured...
/a/adjured.htm - 10k

Adjuration (2 Occurrences)
... his true character. It would seem that in such a case the person so adjured
could not refuse to give an answer. The word "adjure ...
/a/adjuration.htm - 10k

Adjure (16 Occurrences)

/a/adjure.htm - 11k

Tasted (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:24 The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured
the people, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening ...
/t/tasted.htm - 11k

Micaiah (27 Occurrences)
... Micaiah, for whom Ahab, then, with evident reluctance, sent, at first simply repeated
the favorable response of the 400; but adjured by the king to speak the ...
/m/micaiah.htm - 21k

Buildeth (73 Occurrences)
... Joshua 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before
the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the ...
/b/buildeth.htm - 28k

Avenged (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:24 The men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured
the people, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until it is evening ...
/a/avenged.htm - 17k

Adjureth (2 Occurrences)

/a/adjureth.htm - 7k

Strictly (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:28 Then answered one of the people and said, Thy father strictly adjured
the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth food this day; and the ...
/s/strictly.htm - 11k

Strict (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:28 Then answered one of the people and said, Thy father strictly adjured
the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth food this day; and the ...
/s/strict.htm - 9k

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