UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to put under oath, to insist that one take an oath, to require that one swear

Semantic entry: 33.467

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Swear, Put Under Oath, Vow

Definition: to demand that a person take an oath as to the truth of what is said or as to the certainty that one will carry out the request or command{N:001}

Notes: It is extremely difficult to translate ὁρκίζω, ἐνορκίζω, and ἐξορκίζω in a literal manner, though in some contexts one can say ‘I put you under oath,’ but in a number of passages the person speaking is imploring and not necessarily in a position to command or insist. Therefore, in a passage such as RV MRK 5:7 · LV MRK 5:7 · Read together MRK 5:7, one may render the meaning idiomatically as ‘for God’s sake, I ask you, do not punish me.’ In RV TH1 5:27 · LV TH1 5:27 · Read together TH1 5:27 one may translate ‘in the name of the Lord, I ask you to read this letter to all the Christian brothers,’ and in RV MAT 26:63 · LV MAT 26:63 · Read together MAT 26:63 one may translate ‘in the name of the living God, I charge you, Tell us who you are.’|In most languages one may translate ὁρκίζω, ἐνορκίζω, and ἐξορκίζω by simply adding a causative component to terms meaning ‘to swear’ or ‘to take an oath.’ In other words, ὁρκίζω, ἐνορκίζω, and ἐξορκίζω may be rendered as ‘to cause a person to say under oath.’