In the biblical context, oaths were solemn promises or vows made before God, often invoking His name as a witness to the truth of one's words or the sincerity of one's intentions. The Jewish people, as depicted in the Scriptures, were given specific instructions regarding the making and keeping of oaths. The Law of Moses provided clear guidelines to ensure that oaths were not taken lightly and that they were fulfilled with integrity.

The Old Testament underscores the seriousness of making oaths. In Numbers 30:2 , it is stated, "When a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised." This directive highlights the expectation that oaths made before God were to be honored without exception.

Despite these clear instructions, the Jewish people were often condemned by the prophets for their failure to uphold the truthfulness of their oaths. The prophet Jeremiah, for instance, rebukes the people of Judah for their deceitful practices. In Jeremiah 7:9-10 , he questions, "Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, 'We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations'?" Here, the act of perjury—swearing falsely—is listed among the grievous sins that provoke God's judgment.

The issue of false oaths is further addressed by the prophet Zechariah. In Zechariah 8:17 , the Lord declares, "Do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things, declares the LORD." This passage reflects God's abhorrence of deceit and falsehood, particularly when His name is invoked in vain.

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Christ Himself addressing the misuse of oaths. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, "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" (Matthew 5:33-35). Jesus emphasizes the importance of truthfulness in all communication, suggesting that one's word should be sufficient without the need for oaths.

The apostle James reiterates this teaching in his epistle, urging believers to avoid swearing oaths altogether. James 5:12 states, "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 instruction aligns with the call to integrity and honesty, reflecting a life transformed by faith in Christ.

Throughout the Scriptures, the condemnation of false oaths serves as a reminder of the high value placed on truth and integrity in the eyes of God. The Jewish people, like all believers, were called to reflect God's character in their words and actions, upholding the sanctity of oaths and the truthfulness of their speech.Zechariah 5:4
I will bring it forth, said the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that swears falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the middle of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Malachi 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, said the LORD of hosts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Patient Endurance
... mocked and insulted, scourged and buffetted, and condemned by false ... of the hardened
hearts of the Jews and of ... of man and because of the false oaths which many ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter v of patient endurance.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... 785]470; sayings of, that seem false, are figurative ... 807]311; more numerous than
Jews and Pagans ... of, to prevent crime, [1062]466; especially condemned, [1063]472 ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
... It was the custom among the Jews for the garments to ... Saviour was now treated as a
condemned criminal, and ... While the degrading oaths were fresh upon Peter's lips ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 75 before annas and.htm

The Third Commandment
... blaspheme Christ now in heaven, than the Jews did who ... shoot at him in heaven with
their oaths and curses. ... the accused is found guilty, and condemned: The Lord ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 3 the third commandment.htm

Faith
... will stick at no sin, neither at false weights, nor false oaths. ... dying so, he is
as sure to be condemned as if ... will be damned as well as the Jews who blaspheme ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 1 faith.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... He is lowered from the false consideration and deference paid to him on account
of his ... But any of the readers who had been born and bred Jews would recollect ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... the final judgment, and will there be condemned unless he ... by Jesus that the law
permitted oaths made unto ... But the Jews, looking upon this law, construed it as ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 4.htm

Index of Subjects.
... to be a burden, [555]207; abrogated even for the Jews, [556]209 ... Creation, [588]15;
assail the law, [589]419, [590]421; condemned by the ... Oaths, see [644]Swearing ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

Defence against the Arians.
... conspiracy which they and the Jews had formed ... conspiracy, censured their machinations,
and condemned the Meletians ... seven of these broke their oaths in favour ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/defence against the arians.htm

The Course of the World.
... sound speech, that can not be condemned." Titus 2 ... that are right and never the dark,
ungodly oaths and sayings ... and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xii the course of.htm

Is it wrong to swear to God? | GotQuestions.org

Why does Christ's righteousness need to be imputed to us? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus rebuke the scribes and Pharisees so harshly in Matthew 23:13 36? | GotQuestions.org

Oaths: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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