Oath — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Solemn vow or promise to fulfill a pledge. There are two terms in Hebrew that mean “oath”: ‘ala and sebu’a. The latter, more general term in ancient times meant to enter into a solemn (even magical) relationship with the number seven, although ancient connections are lost. Even so, when Abraham and Abimelech entered into an oath at Beersheba (the well of seven, or the well of the oath), Abraham set aside seven ewe lambs as a witness to the fact that he had dug a well (Gn 21:22-31). The former term ‘ala, often translated “oath,” properly means “curse.” At times the two terms are used together (Nm 5:21; Neh 10:29; Dn 9:11). Any breach of one’s undertaking affirmed by an oath would be attended by a curse. The Lord affirmed that he had established a covenant and a curse with Israel—that is, a breach of covenant would be followed by a curse (Dt 29:14ff.).

Show passage in OET: GEN 21:22–31

OET-RV GEN 21:22

22 One day King Avimelek and Pikol, the commander of his army, spoke to Avraham, saying, “We can see that God is with you in everything you do.

OET-RV GEN 21:23

23 So then, swear to me here by God that you won’t treat me or my children or my descendants badly, and that’ll you’ll be kind to this country just as I showed kindness to you.”

OET-RV GEN 21:24

24 “I swear it,” Avraham replied.

OET-RV GEN 21:25

25 But Avraham complained to Avimelek about a well of water that had been taken over by Avimelek’s slaves.

OET-RV GEN 21:26

26 “I don’t know who did that,” Avimelek responded, “and you hadn’t told me about it, so I’ve only just heard about it today.”

OET-RV GEN 21:27

27 Then Avraham gave some sheep and cattle to Avimelek to confirm their agreement together,

OET-RV GEN 21:28

28 and then he separated seven female lambs from the rest of the flock.

OET-RV GEN 21:29

29 “Why did you pen those seven lambs,” Avimelek asked.

OET-RV GEN 21:30

30 “Because I want you to take them,” Avraham insisted. “I want them to be the verification that it was me who dug this well.”

OET-RV GEN 21:31

31 So that’s why the place was named ‘Be’er -Sheva’ (Beersheba) (which means ‘Well of the seven’ or ‘Well of the oath’), because that’s where the two of them made their agreement.

OET-LV GEN 21:22

22 And_he/it _was at_time the_that and_ ʼAⱱīmelek and_Pikol the _commander _of his _army _of_his _he/it _said to ʼAⱱrāhām to_say god is_with_you in_all that you are_doing.

OET-LV GEN 21:23

23 And_now swear to/for_me by_god here if you _will _deal _falsely to_me and_to_posterity _of_my and_to_progeny _of_my according_the _loyalty which I _have _done with_you you _will _do with_me and_with the_earth/land which you _have _sojourned in_it.

OET-LV GEN 21:24

24 And_ ʼAⱱrāhām _he/it _said I I _will _swear.

OET-LV GEN 21:25

25 And_ ʼAⱱrāhām _he _rebuked DOM ʼAⱱīmelek on the _causes _of the _well _of the_waters which the _servants _of ʼAⱱīmelek they _had _seized.

OET-LV GEN 21:26

26 And_ ʼAⱱīmelek _he/it _said not I _know who has _he _done DOM the_thing the_this and_also you not you _told to/for_me and_also I not I _heard except the_day.

OET-LV GEN 21:27

27 And_ ʼAⱱrāhām _he/it _took sheep and_cattle and_he/it _gave to_ʼAⱱīmelek and_ both _of_them _they _made a _covenant.

OET-LV GEN 21:28

28 And_ ʼAⱱrāhām _he _set DOM seven ewe-lambs _of the _flock them_alone.

OET-LV GEN 21:29

29 And_ ʼAⱱīmelek _he/it _said to ʼAⱱrāhām what are_they seven ewe-lambs the_these which you _have _set them_alone.

OET-LV GEN 21:30

30 And_he/it _said if/because DOM seven ewe-lambs you _will _take from_hand _of_my in_account _of you _may _become to/for_me (into)_a_witness if/because _that I _dug DOM the_well (the)_this.

OET-LV GEN 21:31

31 Therefore yes/correct/thus/so he _called (to)_place (the)_that Bəʼēr Shəⱱāʼ if/because there the _two _of_of _them they _swore _an _oath.

Show passage in OET: NUM 5:21

OET-RV NUM 5:21

21 Then the priest will make the woman take that curse as an oath, and he’ll tell her, “Yahweh will make your experience a curse and your people will see the results of the oath, when Yahweh gives disease to your genitals and makes your belly swell.

OET-LV NUM 5:21

21 And_ the_priest/officer _he _will _make _swear DOM the_woman with_the _oath _of the _curse and_ the_priest/officer _saying(ms) to/for _the_woman/wife YHWH may _he _make you into_a _curse and_into_a _oath in _the_middle people _of_your when_ YHWH _makes DOM thigh _of_your falling and_DOM belly _of_your swollen.

Show passage in OET: NEH 10:29

OET-RV NEH 10:29

29 were joining with their brothers, their leading citizens, and were committing to a promise which also had a curse: to obey God’s instructions as given by God’s servant Mosheh (Moses), and to keep and to do all the commands of Yahweh our master, accepting his judgements and his statutes.

OET-LV NEH 10:30

30  Are_holding on countrymen _of_their their _noble _of_ones and_they_are_going in_a _curse and_in_an _oath to_go in_the _law _of the_ʼElohīm which it _was _given by_the _hand _of Mosheh the _servant _of the_ʼElohīm and_to_take _care and_to_do DOM all _of the _commands _of YHWH master(s)_of_our and_judgements _of_his and_regulations _of_his.

Show passage in OET: DAN 9:11

OET-RV DAN 9:11

11 All Yisrael has broken your law and turned away—not obeying your words. The curse and oath that are written in the law given through your servant Mosheh (Moses), have been applied to us, because we have sinned against you.

OET-LV DAN 9:11

11 And_all Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) they _have _transgressed DOM law _of_your and_they _have _turned _aside to_not to _listen to_voice _of_your and_it _has _poured _forth on_us the_curse and_the_oath which was_written in_the _law _of Mosheh the _servant _of the_ʼElohīm if/because we _have _sinned to_him/it.

Jump to OET GEN 21:22–31 section.

Jump to OET NUM 5:21 section.

Jump to OET NEH 10:29 section.

Jump to OET DAN 9:11 section.

An oath was taken to confirm an agreement or, in a political situation, to confirm a treaty. Both in Israel and among its neighbors, God (or the gods) would act as the guarantor(s) of the agreement and his name (or their names) was invoked for this purpose. When Jacob and Laban made an agreement, they erected a heap of stones as a witness (Gn 31:53). If either party transgressed the terms, it was a heinous sin. For this reason one of the Ten Commandments dealt with empty affirmations: “Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name” (Ex 20:7, NLT). The people of Israel were forbidden to swear their oaths by false gods (Jer 12:16; Am 8:14). To breach an international treaty, where the oath was taken in the Lord’s name, merited death (Ez 17:16-17). It was one of the complaints of Hosea that the people of his day swore falsely when they made a covenant (Hos 10:4). Judgment would attend such wanton disregard of the solemnity of an oath. Certain civil situations in Israel called for an oath (Ex 22:10-11; Lv 5:1; 6:3; Nm 5:11-28). This practice provided a pattern for the Israelite covenantal oath of allegiance between God and his people.

Show passage in OET: GEN 31:53

OET-RV GEN 31:53

53 May Avraham’s god and the gods of their ancestor Nahor judge between us.” Then Ya’akov swore by the one respected by his father Yitshak (Isaac),

OET-LV GEN 31:53

53 The _god _of ʼAⱱrāhām and_the _god _of Nāḩōr may _they _judge between_us the _god _of their _father _of_their and_ Yaˊₐqoⱱ _he _swore by_the _fear _of his/its_father Yiʦḩāq/(Isaac).

Show passage in OET: EXO 20:7

OET-RV EXO 20:7

• 7 You mustn’t wrongly promote the name of Yahweh your god, because I won’t leave anyone unpunished who does that.

OET-LV EXO 20:7

7 Not you _must _take DOM the _name _of YHWH god _of_your for_emptiness if/because not YHWH he _will _leave _unpunished DOM one_who he _will _take DOM his/its_name for_emptiness.

Show passage in OET: JER 12:16

OET-RV JER 12:16

16 If they’ll properly learn the ways of my people, to make promises using my name saying, ‘As Yahweh lives,’ instead of how my people were taught to make promises by Ba’al, then they’ll prosper and be my people again.

OET-LV JER 12:16

16 And_it _was if really _(learn) they _will _learn DOM the _ways _of my _people _of_my to_swear by_name _of_my by_the _life of_YHWH just_as they _taught DOM people _of_my to_swear by_Baˊal and_they _will _be _built in _the_middle people _of_my.

Show passage in OET: AMO 8:14

OET-RV AMO 8:14

14 Those who swear by the guilt of Shomron (Samaria)
⇔ and say, ‘As your god lives, Dan,’
⇔ and, ‘As the road to Be’er -Sheva (Beersheba) exists’—
⇔ they will die and never live again.”

OET-LV AMO 8:14

14 Those_who_swear by_the _guilt _of Shomrōn and_they _say by_the _life your(pl)_gods _of_your Oh _Dān and_by_the _life of _the _way _of of Bəʼēr and_they _will _fall and_not they _will _rise again.

Show passage in OET: EZE 17:16–17

OET-RV EZE 17:16

16 This is the master Yahweh’s declaration: As I live, he’ll definitely die in the land of the king who made him king, the king whose promises he despised, and whose agreement he broke. He’ll die in the middle of Bavel.

OET-RV EZE 17:17

17 Mitsrayim’s Par’oh (Pharaoh) with his mighty army and huge horde won’t help him in battle, when ramps are constructed and siege walls are built up to cut off many lives,

OET-LV EZE 17:16

16 By_the _life of _me the _utterance _of my_master YHWH if not in_the _place _of the_king who_made_king DOM_him/it whom he _despised DOM oath _of_his and_which he _broke DOM covenant _of_his with_him/it in_the _midst _of Bāⱱel he _will _die.

OET-LV EZE 17:17

17 And_not with_an _army large and_with_a _company great Parˊoh he _will _do with_him in_battle when_pour _out a _mound and_when_build a _siege-work to_cut _off lives many.

Show passage in OET: HOS 10:4

OET-RV HOS 10:4

4 They speak mere words.
⇔ They make agreements with worthless promises.
⇔ So judgement springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.

OET-LV HOS 10:4

4 They _have _spoken words/messages they _have _sworn _an _oath falsehood they _have _made a _covenant and_it _sprouts _up like _(the)_plant justice on the_furrows _of a _field.

Show passage in OET: EXO 22:10–11

OET-RV EXO 22:10

10 If anyone gives their neighbour a donkey or a cow or a sheep or any animal to look after, and it dies or is injured or disappears without anyone seeing,

OET-RV EXO 22:11

11 both of them must declare in front of Yahweh as to whether or not they improperly handled their neighbour’s property. The owner must accept the sworn statement and no compensation is required,

OET-LV EXO 22:9

9  If/because anyone he _will _give to his/its_neighbour a _donkey or an _ox or a _sheep and_all animal to_guard/protect and_it _will _die or it _was _maimed or it _was _captured there_was_not one _who_saw.

OET-LV EXO 22:10

10  The _oath _of YHWH it _will _be between both _of_them if not he _had _stretched _out his/its_hand on_the _property _of his/its_neighbour and_ owner(s)_of_its _he/it _will _take and_not he _will _make _compensation.

Show passage in OET: LEV 5:1

OET-RV LEV 5:1

5 “If someone is a witness to a case because of something they saw or knew about, and hears an oath in court but doesn’t testify, then they’ll become guilty.

OET-LV LEV 5:1

5 And_anyone if/because it _will _sin and_it _will _hear the_sound _of an _oath and_he was_a _witness or he _saw or he _knew if not he _will _tell and_he _will _bear iniquity _of_his.

Show passage in OET: LEV 6:3

OET-RV LEV 6:3

3 or by finding lost property and then denying it, or making an oath that was knowingly false, or by any other typical transgression that people do,

OET-LV LEV 5:22

22  Or he _has _found a _thing _lost and_he _will _deny (in)_it and_he _will _swear _an _oath on falsehood on one from_all that the_humankind he _will _do to_sin by_them.

Jump to OET GEN 31:53 section.

Jump to OET EXO 20:7 section.

Jump to OET JER 12:16 section.

Jump to OET AMO 8:14 section.

Jump to OET EZE 17:16–17 section.

Jump to OET HOS 10:4 section.

Jump to OET EXO 22:10–11 section.

Jump to OET LEV 5:1 section.

Jump to OET LEV 6:3 section.

Christ taught that oaths were binding (Mt 5:33). In the kingdom of God oaths would become unnecessary (vv 34-37). At his trial before Caiaphas, Jesus heard an imprecatory oath from the high priest (26:63-65), and Paul swore by an oath on occasion (2 Cor 1:23; Gal 1:20). God himself was bound by his own oath (Heb 6:13-18) to keep his promise to the patriarchs (Gn 50:24; Pss 89:19-37, 49 OET PSA 89:19–37 · OET PSA 89:49; 110:1-4).

Show passage in OET: MAT 5:33

OET-RV MAT 5:33

33 “Also, you’ve heard that it was said to our ancestors that you shouldn’t break your oath, but you must do whatever you promised to Yahweh.

OET-LV MAT 5:33

33 Furthermore you _all _heard that it _was _said to _the ancients:
You_˓will˒_ not _be _perjuring, but you _will _be _giving _back to _the master the oaths of _you.

Show passage in OET: MAT 5:34–37

OET-RV MAT 5:34

34 But I’m telling you not to make oaths in the first place—don’t swear by heaven because it’s God’s throne,

OET-RV MAT 5:35

35 nor by the earth because it’s God’s footrest, nor by Yerushalem (Jerusalem) because it’s the supreme king’s city.

OET-RV MAT 5:36

36 And don’t swear by your own strength, because you can’t even make one strand of hair grow a different colour.

OET-RV MAT 5:37

37 Just say ‘yes’ when you commit to doing something, and ‘no’ when you don’t, because going beyond that is actually evil.

OET-LV MAT 5:34

34 But I am _saying to _you _all not to_ actually _swear, neither by the heaven, because it _is the_throne of_ the _god,

OET-LV MAT 5:35

35 nor by the earth, because it _is the_footstool of _the feet of _him, nor in Hierousalaʸm/(Yərūshālayim), because it _is the_city of _the great king,

OET-LV MAT 5:36

36 nor may _you _swear by the head of _you, because you _are_ not _being _able to _make one hair white.
or black.

OET-LV MAT 5:37

37 But let _be the statement of _you _all, yes be yes, no be no, and the additional than these things is from the evil.

Show passage in OET: MAT 26:63–65

OET-RV MAT 26:63

63 But Yeshua stayed silent, so then the chief priest asked him, “I order you by the living God to tell us if you’re the messiah, God’s son.”

OET-RV MAT 26:64

64 “You said it,” Yeshua responded. “However, I can tell you all that from now on, you’ll see the son of humanity sitting beside God in the position of power and coming in the clouds in the sky.”

OET-RV MAT 26:65

65 Then the chief priest tore his robes and said, “He belittled God. Why would we need more witnesses after that? See here, you all heard him slander God.

OET-LV MAT 26:63

63 But the Yaʸsous was _keeping _silent.
And the chief _priest said to _him:
I _am _adjuring you by the which living god that you _may _tell to _us if you are the chosen _one /messiah, the son of _the god.

OET-LV MAT 26:64

64 The Yaʸsous is _saying to _him:
You said it.
However I _am _saying to _you _all, from now you _all _will _be _seeing the son of_ the _Man:
sitting on the_right of_ the _power, and coming in the clouds of _the sky.

OET-LV MAT 26:65

65 Then the chief _priest tore the robes of _him saying:
He _slandered, why are _we _having anymore need of _witnesses?
Behold, now you _all _heard the slander.

Show passage in OET: CO2 1:23

OET-RV CO2 1:23

23 I call on God as a witness for my soul that it was to spare you all that I didn’t come to Korinthos.

OET-LV CO2 1:23

23 But I as _witness the god am _calling on the my soul that sparing from _you _all no _longer I _came to Korinthos.

Show passage in OET: GAL 1:20

OET-RV GAL 1:20

20 and what I’m writing to you, I’m writing with God watching, so I’m not lying.

OET-LV GAL 1:20

20 And what I _am _writing to _you _all, see, before the god, that I _am_ not _lying.

Show passage in OET: HEB 6:13–18

OET-RV HEB 6:13

13 When God made promises to Avraham, because he didn’t have anyone more powerful to take an oath in front of, he did it in his own name

OET-RV HEB 6:14

14 saying: ‘I will certainly bless you and will cause you to have many descendants.’

OET-RV HEB 6:15

15 And then after being patient, Avraham received what was promised.

OET-RV HEB 6:16

16 Yes, people make oaths in front of someone more powerful and then there’s no controversy, because the oath is the confirmation.

OET-RV HEB 6:17

17 In order for God to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he guaranteed it with an oath

OET-RV HEB 6:18

18 so that by two things that God can’t even change (his promise and his oath), we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.

OET-LV HEB 6:13

13 For/Because the to _Abraʼam/(ʼAⱱrāhām) having _promised the god, because by no _one he _was _having greater to _swear, he _swore by himself

OET-LV HEB 6:14

14 saying:
If surely blessing, I _will _be _blessing you, and multiplying, I _will _be _multiplying you.

OET-LV HEB 6:15

15 And thus having _been _patient, he _obtained by _the promise.

OET-LV HEB 6:16

16 For/Because people by the greater one are _swearing, and of _all to _them controversy an_end is, because/for confirmation the oath given.

OET-LV HEB 6:17

17 In which more _abundantly wishing the god to _show to _the heirs of _the promise, the unchangeable of _the counsel of _him, guaranteed it by_an_oath,

OET-LV HEB 6:18

18 in _order _that by two matters unchangeable, in which impossible it _is to _lie the for_god, strong exhortation we _may _be _having, which having _taken _refuge to _take _hold _of of _the lying _before hope,

Show passage in OET: GEN 50:24

OET-RV GEN 50:24

24 Then one day Yosef said to his brothers, “I’m about to die, but God will definitely help you all and take you and your descendants from this country to the land that he vowed to give to Avraham, Yitshak (Isaac), and Ya’akov.

OET-LV GEN 50:24

24 And_ Yōşēf _he/it _said to brothers _of_his I am_about _to _die and_god surely _(visit) he _will _visit you(pl) and_he _will _bring _up you(pl) from the_earth/land (the)_this to the_earth/land which he _swore to_ʼAⱱrāhām to_Yiʦḩāq/(Isaac) and_to_Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob).

Show passage in OET: PSA 110:1–4

OET-RV PSA 110:1

110 Yahweh told my master, “Sit here on my right
⇔ until I defeat your enemies.”

OET-RV PSA 110:2

2 Yahweh will expand your power as king outwards from Tsiyon (Zion)—
⇔ you’ll rule in the middle of your enemies.

OET-RV PSA 110:3

3 When you exert your strength in battle,
⇔ your people voluntarily follow in full battle dress.
⇔ From the place where the dawn is birthed, your youth will be like dew to you.

OET-RV PSA 110:4

4 Yahweh has promised, and won’t change his mind:
⇔ “You’re a priest forever following the pattern of Malki -Tsedek (Melchizedek).”

OET-LV PSA 110:1

110 Of_Dāvid a _song the _utterance _of YHWH to_master _of_my sit to_my _right _of_hand until I _will _make enemies _of_your a _footstool for_feet _of_your.

OET-LV PSA 110:2

2 The _staff _of your _strength _of_your YHWH he _will _stretch _out from_Tsiyyōn/(Zion) rule in_the _midst _of your(pl)_enemies _of_your.

OET-LV PSA 110:3

3 People _of_your will _be_freewill _offerings in/on_day your _strength _of_your in_majesti(es)_of holiness from_the_womb _of dawn to/for_yourself(m) the _dew _of your _youth(s)_of_your.

OET-LV PSA 110:4

4 YHWH he _has _sworn _an _oath and_not he _will _repent you are_a _priest forever_perpetuity on the _manner _of Malkī- ʦedeq.

Jump to OET MAT 5:33 section.

Jump to OET MAT 5:34–37 section.

Jump to OET MAT 26:63–65 section.

Jump to OET CO2 1:23 section.

Jump to OET GAL 1:20 section.

Jump to OET HEB 6:13–18 section.

Jump to OET GEN 50:24 section.

Jump to OET PSA 110:1–4 section.