In the context of the Bible, "swears" refers to the act of making oaths or vows, invoking God's name or other sacred elements to affirm the truth of one's words or the seriousness of one's promises. The Bible addresses the use of swearing in various contexts, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and integrity in speech.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several instances and regulations concerning swearing. In Leviticus 19:12 , the Israelites are commanded, "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." This underscores the sanctity of God's name and the seriousness of invoking it in oaths. Swearing falsely by God's name was considered a grave sin, as it not only involved deceit but also dishonored God.

Deuteronomy 6:13 instructs, "Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name." Here, swearing by God's name is permitted, but it is to be done with reverence and truthfulness. The act of swearing is tied to the fear and worship of God, indicating that oaths are not to be taken lightly.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of swearing in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:33-37 states, "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' teaching emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity without the need for oaths. The call is for believers to be so truthful that their simple affirmation or denial is sufficient, without resorting to swearing by anything sacred or otherwise.

James 5:12 echoes this sentiment: "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." This reinforces the idea that Christians should be known for their straightforward and honest communication.

Cultural and Religious Implications

In biblical times, swearing an oath was a common practice in legal and personal matters. It was a way to guarantee the truthfulness of one's words or the fulfillment of a promise. However, the misuse of oaths, such as swearing falsely or frivolously, was condemned.

The biblical teachings on swearing highlight the broader principle of integrity in speech. For believers, the focus is on living a life of truthfulness and reliability, reflecting the character of God, who is faithful and true. The avoidance of unnecessary oaths serves as a reminder to uphold honesty in all interactions, trusting that one's word is sufficient without additional affirmations.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on swearing underscores the importance of truthfulness and the reverence due to God's name. While oaths were a part of ancient practices, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles call believers to a higher standard of integrity, where one's word is trustworthy without the need for swearing.3660. omnuo -- to swear, take an oath
... verb Definition to swear, take an oath NASB Word Usage make an oath (1),
make...oath (1), swear (6), swears (10), swore (6), sworn (2). swear. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3660.htm - 7k7650. shaba -- to swear
... 1), put the under oath (1), put them under oath (1), solemn (1), solemnly swear
(1), strictly put (1), swear (40), swearer (1), swearing (1), swears (6), swore ...
/hebrew/7650.htm - 6k

When a Person Swears of his Own Accord, or Wantonly...
... Address 175: When a person swears of his own accord, or wantonly? When
a person swears of his own accord, or wantonly, then the ...
/.../address 175 0 0 when a person.htm

Whether it is Necessary for Perjury that the Statement Confirmed ...
... Since therefore perjury is incurred through lack of truth, it is incurred likewise
through lack of judgment, as when one swears indiscreetly, and through lack ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is necessary for 7.htm

Whether all Perjury is Sinful?
... Yet sometimes a man swears he will do something unlawful (adultery, for
instance, or murder): and if he does it, he commits a sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all perjury is sinful.htm

Whether He Sins who Demands an Oath of a Perjurer?
... Either he knows that he swears truly, or he knows that he swears falsely. ... Much less
therefore would it seem lawful to impose an oath on one who swears falsely. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether he sins who demands.htm

Whether an Oath is an Act of Religion or Latria?
... Rhet. ii, 53). But he who swears offers nothing to God, but calls God to be his
witness. Therefore swearing is not an act of religion or latria. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an oath is an.htm

The Oath of God: Its Meaning. Moses, when Deprecating God's Wrath ...
... But God also swears. ... Therefore He swears by Himself, in order that you may believe
God, even when He swears that there is besides Himself no other God at all. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxvi the oath of god .htm

The Tenets of the Esseni Continued.
... for them. He likewise swears that he will always aid the just, and keep
faith with all, especially those who are rulers. For, they ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xviii the tenets of the.htm

Whether Oaths are Desirable and to be Used Frequently as Something ...
... Objection 2: Further, Jerome, commenting on Mat.5:34, says that "he who swears either
reveres or loves the person by whom he swears." Now reverence and love of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether oaths are desirable and.htm

Whether an Oath Has a Binding Force?
... Yet sometimes the person who swears and the person to whom he swears have opposite
intentions. Therefore an oath cannot always be binding. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an oath has a.htm

After the Whole People had Been Freed from all Distress...
... And no one can gainsay this; so evident and generally allowed is the fact,
that the man who swears frequently, must also be a perjurer. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xiv after the whole.htm

Swears (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Swears (16 Occurrences). Matthew 23:16 "Woe to
you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple ...
/s/swears.htm - 11k

Obligated (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:16 "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple,
it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated ...
/o/obligated.htm - 9k

Bound (175 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:16 "Alas for you, you blind guides, who say, "'Whoever swears by the
Sanctuary it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the Sanctuary, is ...
/b/bound.htm - 41k

Nothing (769 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:16 "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple,
it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated ...
/n/nothing.htm - 40k

Anyone (514 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:16 "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple,
it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated ...
/a/anyone.htm - 33k

Swear (99 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:16 "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple,
it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated ...
/s/swear.htm - 39k

Offering (850 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:18 And you say, "'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever
swears by the offering lying on it is bound by the oath.' (WEY BBE NAS). ...
/o/offering.htm - 39k

Guides (24 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:16 "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple,
it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated ...
/g/guides.htm - 13k

Within (400 Occurrences)
... delight. Listen to Him." (WEY). Matthew 23:21 He who swears by the temple,
swears by it, and by him who was living in it. (See NAS). ...
/w/within.htm - 36k

Woe (102 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:16 "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple,
it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated ...
/w/woe.htm - 37k

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