Topical Bible: Oath: So Does Nehemiah

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Topical Encyclopedia

An oath, in biblical terms, is a solemn promise or declaration, often invoking God as a witness to the truth of what is affirmed or to the binding nature of a promise. Oaths are significant in the biblical narrative as they underscore the seriousness and sacredness of one's word, reflecting a commitment to truth and integrity.

In the Old Testament, oaths are frequently mentioned as part of covenants and agreements. They are seen as binding and are to be taken seriously, as breaking an oath is considered a grave offense against God. The book of Numbers provides a clear directive regarding oaths: "When a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised" (Numbers 30:2).

Nehemiah and the Oath

The book of Nehemiah provides a notable example of the use of oaths in the context of community reform and covenant renewal. Nehemiah, a Jewish leader during the Persian period, was instrumental in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the spiritual renewal of the Jewish people after their return from exile.

In Nehemiah 10, the people of Israel, under Nehemiah's leadership, make a binding agreement to follow the Law of God. This agreement is sealed with an oath, demonstrating their commitment to live according to God's commandments. The text states: "In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, Levites, and priests are affixing their seals to it" (Nehemiah 9:38). This covenant included specific commitments such as refraining from intermarriage with foreign nations, observing the Sabbath, and supporting the temple service.

Nehemiah's use of an oath highlights the importance of communal responsibility and accountability before God. The oath served as a public declaration of the people's intention to adhere to the covenant, reinforcing the seriousness of their commitment. It was a means of ensuring that the community would remain faithful to God's laws and avoid the sins that had led to their previous exile.

The narrative of Nehemiah underscores the role of oaths in fostering a sense of unity and purpose among the people of God. By invoking an oath, Nehemiah not only sought to restore the physical structure of Jerusalem but also aimed to rebuild the spiritual foundation of the community. The oath was a tool for spiritual renewal, calling the people to a higher standard of holiness and dedication to God's will.

In summary, the use of oaths in the book of Nehemiah illustrates their significance in biblical times as instruments of covenantal faithfulness and communal integrity. Through the solemnity of an oath, Nehemiah and the Israelites reaffirmed their commitment to God, setting a precedent for the seriousness with which oaths should be regarded in the life of faith.

Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 5:12,13
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Joy of the Lord, the Strength of his People
... for the very people who were bidden by Nehemiah and Ezra ... and amen in Christ Jesus,
ratified by oath and sealed ... As the light of joy varies so does the warmth of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the joy of the lord.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... to perform those of the latter class, that does not countenance ... God testify for him
in the use of the oath. ... in their social capacity, that they do so; nor is ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Heathen Plots
... held traitorous correspondence with Tobiah and taken oath to serve ... reply, "I am doing
a great work, so that I ... of him who is constantly advancing does not weaken ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 55 heathen plots.htm

The Exile.
... nature comes over him, and with a great oath he vows ... But in so far as it is true
that these ... The poetic imagination does not reproduce the bald prosaic facts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iv the exile.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... the terrors of insulted, incensed omnipotent justice: does the believer ... It is not
denied that the oath is used to ... in maintaining that to apply it so, is to use ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... Israel was not so enslaved in the iron furnace as the ... How does a man wear himself
out in the service of ... to another take revenge; to another, take a false oath. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
... Five out of the eight regulations specified by the oath then taken by ... (27a) So Moses
stretched ... Thus we find that, quoting largely as he does, from much older ...
/.../ix influences that gave rise.htm

Hebrews viii. 1, 2
... is a Priest from every consideration, from Melchisedec, from the oath, from offering ...
For is it not so? ... would represent the people not the Law; neither does St. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xiv hebrews viii 1.htm

The Formation of the Old Testament Canon
... and priestly narratives also followed lines so distinctly different ... into a solemn
obligation and took oath to walk ... have felt as free as he does to substitute ...
/.../xiii the formation of the.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you, Swear not at all,"[47] he does not teach ... In
many passages are the ideas of oath and covenant so associated together ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm