The term "adjure" is derived from the Latin "adjūrāre," meaning to swear or to bind by oath. In biblical contexts, it refers to the act of solemnly urging or commanding someone to do something, often invoking a sacred or divine authority. This concept appears in several instances throughout the Bible, where it is used to emphasize the seriousness and binding nature of a request or command.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the act of adjuring is often associated with solemn oaths and covenants. For example, in Joshua 6:26, Joshua adjures the people regarding the rebuilding of Jericho: "At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: 'Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: At the cost of his firstborn son he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.'" This adjuration underscores the gravity of the curse associated with the rebuilding of the city, invoking the authority of the LORD as a witness to the oath.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of adjuring is seen in contexts where authority and truth are at stake. One notable instance is found in Matthew 26:63, during the trial of Jesus before the high priest. The high priest says to Jesus, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." Here, the high priest adjures Jesus, invoking the authority of God to compel a truthful response. This highlights the seriousness of the inquiry and the expectation of truthfulness under divine witness.

Another significant occurrence is in Acts 19:13, where certain Jewish exorcists attempt to use the name of Jesus to cast out evil spirits: "Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, 'In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.'" Although the term "adjure" is not explicitly used in this passage, the act of invoking Jesus' name in this manner reflects a similar concept of commanding with authority.

Theological Implications

The act of adjuring in the Bible often involves invoking a higher authority, typically divine, to lend weight and seriousness to a command or request. It reflects the understanding that certain truths and actions are so significant that they require the backing of divine authority to ensure compliance or truthfulness. This underscores the biblical view of God as the ultimate source of truth and authority, whose name and presence are invoked in matters of great importance.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of adjuring serves as a reminder of the power and authority of God's name and the seriousness with which oaths and promises should be treated. It calls for integrity and truthfulness in speech and actions, recognizing that God is a witness to all that is said and done. The biblical examples of adjuring encourage Christians to approach their commitments and declarations with reverence and sincerity, acknowledging the divine authority that undergirds their faith and practice.(v. t.) To appeal to in the most solemn or impressive manner; to entreat earnestly; as to adjure the court for mercy.1844. exorkizo -- to administer an oath, to adjure
... to administer an oath, to adjure. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exorkizo
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-or-kid'-zo) Short Definition: I adjure, put to oath ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1844.htm - 7k

3726. horkizo -- to make (one) swear, to adjure
... to make (one) swear, to adjure. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: horkizo Phonetic
Spelling: (hor-kid'-zo) Short Definition: I adjure by, charge solemnly by ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3726.htm - 6k

1775a. enorkizo -- to adjure
... enorkizo. 1775b . to adjure. Transliteration: enorkizo Short Definition: adjure.
Word Origin from en and horkizo Definition to adjure NASB Word Usage adjure ( ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1775a.htm - 5k

1775. henotes -- to adjure
... to adjure. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: henotes Phonetic Spelling:
(hen-ot-ace') Short Definition: oneness, unity Definition: oneness, unity ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1775.htm - 6k

7650. shaba -- to swear
... Word Origin denominative verb from sheba Definition to swear NASB Word Usage adjure
(6), curse (1), exchanged oaths (1), made a covenant (1), made an oath (1 ...
/hebrew/7650.htm - 6k

422. alah -- to swear, curse
... adjure, curse, swear. A primitive root; properly, to adjure, ie (usually in a bad
sense) imprecate -- adjure, curse, swear. 421, 422. alah. 423 . ...
/hebrew/422.htm - 6k

Whether it is Lawful to Adjure a Man?
... OF THE TAKING OF GOD'S NAME BY WAY OF ADJURATION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful to adjure a man? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 20.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Adjure the Demons?
... OF THE TAKING OF GOD'S NAME BY WAY OF ADJURATION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether it is
lawful to adjure the demons? ... Therefore it is not lawful to adjure the demons. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 21.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Adjure an Irrational Creature?
... OF THE TAKING OF GOD'S NAME BY WAY OF ADJURATION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful to adjure an irrational creature? Objection ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 22.htm

Fragment i. I Adjure Thee, who Shalt Transcribe this Book, by Our ...
... Fragment I. I adjure thee, who shalt transcribe this book, by our Lord
Jesus Christ? I adjure thee, who shalt transcribe this ...
/.../fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/fragment i i adjure thee.htm

Testimony of Orpheus to Monotheism.
... And when he swears he says:". "Now I adjure thee by the highest heaven,. The work
of the great God, the only wise; And I adjure thee by the Father's voice. ...
/.../justins hortatory address to the greeks/chapter xv testimony of orpheus to.htm

They who have not Been Promoted to that Office. ...
... They who have not been promoted [to that office] by the bishop, ought not
to adjure, either in churches or in private houses. Notes. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxvi they who have.htm

Of the Taking of God's Name by Way of Adjuration (Three Articles)
... (1) Whether it is lawful to adjure a man? (2) Whether it is lawful to adjure the
demons? (3) Whether it is lawful to adjure irrational creatures? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the taking of gods.htm

The Farewell
... "Then the Master said, Dear son, I adjure you as solemnly as it is possible for
me to adjure you, by the love of God, that you do not write anything on my ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxxvi the farewell.htm

Elchasai's Mode of Administering Baptism; Formularies.
... And by baptism let him be purified and cleansed, and let him adjure for himself
those seven witnesses that have been described in this book"the heaven, and ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter x elchasais mode of administering.htm

Whether the Parts of Prayer are Fittingly Described as ...
... xxxv), "a man who wishes to live according to the gospel need not adjure another,
for if it be unlawful to swear, it is also unlawful to adjure." Therefore ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the parts of prayer.htm

Adjure (16 Occurrences)
... (vt) To appeal to in the most solemn or impressive manner; to entreat earnestly;
as to adjure the court for mercy. ...Adjure (16 Occurrences). ...
/a/adjure.htm - 11k

Adjuration (2 Occurrences)
... The word "adjure", ie, cause to swear is used with reference to the casting
out of demons (Acts 19:13). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/a/adjuration.htm - 10k

Awaken (10 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/a/awaken.htm - 9k

Wake (34 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/w/wake.htm - 17k

Stir (57 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/s/stir.htm - 25k

Pleases (51 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, and by
the hinds of the field, that ye awaken not, nor stir up love, until it please ...
/p/pleases.htm - 21k

Roes (12 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/r/roes.htm - 9k

Adjured (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Adjure. Multi-Version Concordance
Adjured (11 Occurrences). Joshua 6:26 And Joshua adjured ...
/a/adjured.htm - 10k

Hinds (7 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/h/hinds.htm - 8k

Mayest (240 Occurrences)
... And the chief priest answering said to him, 'I adjure thee, by the living God, that
thou mayest say to us, if thou art the Christ -- the Son of God.' (YLT). ...
/m/mayest.htm - 36k

In the Song of Solomon, why is it said that we shouldn't awaken love until it pleases? | GotQuestions.org

Adjure: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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