In the biblical context, oaths serve as solemn promises or affirmations, often invoking God as a witness to the truth of one's words or the sincerity of one's intentions. The judicial form of administering oaths is particularly significant in the administration of justice and the maintenance of social order, as it underscores the gravity and binding nature of one's testimony or commitment.

Old Testament Context

The practice of taking oaths is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it is often associated with legal and covenantal contexts. In judicial settings, oaths were employed to ascertain truth and ensure justice. For instance, in Exodus 22:10-11, the law provides a procedure for resolving disputes over lost property: "If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to his neighbor for safekeeping and it dies or is injured or is driven away while no one is looking, an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath, and no restitution is required."

This passage highlights the role of oaths in legal proceedings, where invoking the name of the LORD serves as a powerful deterrent against falsehood, given the belief in divine retribution for perjury.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the use of oaths continues to be acknowledged, though with a nuanced perspective. Jesus addresses the issue of oaths in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness without the need for elaborate vows: "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" (Matthew 5:34-37).

Here, Jesus underscores the principle that one's word should be inherently trustworthy, reducing the need for oaths. However, this teaching does not entirely negate the use of oaths in judicial settings, as seen in other New Testament passages. For example, in Hebrews 6:16, the author notes, "Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument."

Judicial Oaths in Practice

The administration of judicial oaths in biblical times was a solemn affair, often involving specific rituals or declarations. The gravity of invoking God's name in an oath was understood as a call for divine witness and judgment, which served to reinforce the seriousness of the commitment or testimony being made.

In the broader biblical narrative, the integrity of oaths is consistently linked to the character of God, who is depicted as a God of truth and faithfulness. This theological foundation underpins the expectation that those who swear oaths, particularly in judicial contexts, do so with honesty and integrity, reflecting the divine nature.

Theological Implications

The judicial use of oaths in the Bible reflects a deep-seated belief in the moral and spiritual accountability of individuals before God. The invocation of God's name in an oath is not merely a legal formality but a profound acknowledgment of His sovereignty and justice. This understanding calls for a reverence and sincerity in all forms of oath-taking, particularly within the judicial sphere, where truth and justice are paramount.

In summary, the biblical perspective on judicial oaths emphasizes their role in upholding truth and justice, rooted in a recognition of God's ultimate authority and the moral responsibility of individuals to speak truthfully.1 Kings 22:16
And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure you that you tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Great Schism
... preaching and public exhortings and administering sacraments; and ... was at that time
considered judicial and final ... requiring them to take the oaths prescribed or ...
/.../chapter x the great schism.htm

Summa Theologica
Summa Theologica. <. Summa Theologica Saint Thomas Aquinas. Table
of Contents. Title Page. Whether, besides philosophy, any ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/

Justinian.
... It is a vast repertory of judicial cases in which Roman lawyers seek to apply the ...
But there, in spite of oaths, he was watched, deprived of his true servants ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter iv justinian.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... punishable in this world and in the next, to adjure the person of the sovereign,
except in the case in which a magistrate requires from them a judicial oath. ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

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