An oath is a solemn promise or declaration, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior. In the biblical context, oaths are significant as they are seen as binding commitments made before God. The Bible contains numerous references to oaths, illustrating their importance in both personal and communal aspects of life.

Old Testament References:

1. Genesis 21:23-24 : "Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the land where you reside as a foreigner the same kindness that I have shown to you.” And Abraham replied, “I swear it.”

· This passage highlights the use of oaths in agreements and covenants, emphasizing the seriousness of such commitments.

2. Exodus 20:7 : "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain."

· This commandment underscores the gravity of invoking God's name in oaths, warning against frivolous or deceitful use.

3. Leviticus 19:12 : "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD."

· Here, the prohibition against false oaths is reiterated, linking the act to the sanctity of God's name.

4. Numbers 30:2 : "If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to bind himself with a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised."

· This verse establishes the binding nature of oaths, stressing the importance of fulfilling one's promises.

5. Deuteronomy 23:21 : "If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin."

· The urgency and obligation to fulfill vows made to God are emphasized, highlighting the moral and spiritual implications of oaths.

New Testament References:

1. Matthew 5:33-37 : "Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one."

· Jesus teaches about the integrity of speech, suggesting that one's word should be sufficient without the need for oaths, thus elevating the standard of truthfulness.

2. James 5:12 : "Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ so that you will not fall under judgment."

· Echoing Jesus' teaching, James advises against swearing oaths, promoting honesty and straightforwardness in communication.

Theological Implications:

Oaths in the Bible are deeply connected to the concepts of truth, integrity, and accountability before God. They serve as a reminder of the sacredness of one's word and the expectation of faithfulness in fulfilling promises. The biblical narrative presents oaths as both a tool for establishing trust and a potential pitfall if misused or broken. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles further refine the understanding of oaths, encouraging believers to embody truthfulness in all aspects of life, thereby reflecting the character of God.Exodus 20:7
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
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Exodus 22:10,11
If a man deliver to his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:
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Exodus 23:1
You shall not raise a false report: put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
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Leviticus 6:2-5
If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie to his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or has deceived his neighbor;
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Leviticus 19:12
And you shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
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Numbers 5:19-24
And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say to the woman, If no man have lain with you, and if you have not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of your husband, be you free from this bitter water that causes the curse:
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Deuteronomy 5:11
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
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Deuteronomy 6:13
You shall fear the LORD your God, and serve him, and shall swear by his name.
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Deuteronomy 10:20
You shall fear the LORD your God; him shall you serve, and to him shall you hold, and swear by his name.
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1 Kings 8:31,32
If any man trespass against his neighbor, and an oath be laid on him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before your altar in this house:
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Psalm 15:1,2,4
Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle? who shall dwell in your holy hill?
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Ecclesiastes 8:2
I counsel you to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
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Isaiah 48:1
Hear you this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.
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Jeremiah 4:2
And you shall swear, The LORD lives, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
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Jeremiah 5:2,7
And though they say, The LORD lives; surely they swear falsely.
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Jeremiah 7:8,9
Behold, you trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
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Jeremiah 12:16
And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD lives; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the middle of my people.
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Daniel 9:11
Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, even by departing, that they might not obey your voice; therefore the curse is poured on us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.
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Daniel 12:7
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was on the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
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Hosea 4:15
Though you, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not you to Gilgal, neither go you up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD lives.
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Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths:
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Matthew 14:3-12
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
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Matthew 23:18-22
And, Whoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is guilty.
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Matthew 26:63
But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said to him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God.
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Mark 6:26
And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
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Acts 23:12-14
And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
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2 Corinthians 1:23
Moreover I call God for a record on my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet to Corinth.
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Galatians 1:20
Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not.
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Hebrews 6:16
For men truly swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
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James 5:12
But above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes; and your no, no; lest you fall into condemnation.
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Revelation 10:5,6
And the angel which I saw stand on the sea and on the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
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Should a Christian pledge allegiance to the flag? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about keeping your vows / oaths? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to take the Lord's name in vain? | GotQuestions.org

Oath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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