Oaths have been a significant aspect of human interaction and divine covenant throughout biblical history, serving as solemn promises or affirmations often invoking God as a witness to the truth of one's word. The practice of oath-taking is deeply rooted in the ancient Near Eastern culture and is prominently featured in the biblical narrative, reflecting its importance in maintaining trust and accountability among individuals and between humanity and God.

Old Testament Context

The use of oaths is evident from the earliest accounts in the Old Testament. In Genesis 21:23-24, Abraham swears an oath to Abimelech, king of Gerar, to deal honestly with him and his descendants: "Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the land where you reside as a foreigner the same kindness that I have shown to you." Abraham replied, "I swear it." This instance highlights the role of oaths in establishing peace and mutual respect between parties.

Another significant example is found in Genesis 24:2-3, where Abraham makes his servant swear an oath to find a wife for Isaac from his own relatives rather than from the Canaanites: "So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, 'Place your hand under my thigh, and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling.'" This oath underscores the importance of family lineage and obedience to divine guidance.

The Mosaic Law also addresses the use of oaths, emphasizing their seriousness and the necessity of fulfilling them. Leviticus 19:12 warns, "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." This commandment reflects the sanctity of God's name and the moral obligation to uphold truthfulness.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of oaths in the Sermon on the Mount, providing a deeper understanding of their spiritual significance. In Matthew 5:33-37, He 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. 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." Jesus emphasizes the importance of integrity and truthfulness in all communication, suggesting that a righteous life should render oaths unnecessary.

The Apostle James reiterates this teaching in James 5:12, stating, "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 reinforces the call for Christians to embody honesty and reliability in their words and actions.

Cultural and Theological Significance

Throughout biblical history, oaths have served as a means of establishing trust and confirming commitments in both personal and communal relationships. They reflect the human need for assurance and accountability, as well as the recognition of God's ultimate authority as the witness to all promises. The biblical narrative presents oaths as both a practical and spiritual tool, highlighting their role in covenantal relationships and the moral imperative to uphold truth.

In summary, the antiquity of oaths in the Bible underscores their enduring significance in human society and their profound theological implications. From the patriarchs to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, oaths are portrayed as a solemn and sacred practice, calling believers to a life of integrity and faithfulness before God and others.Genesis 14:22
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up my hand to the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 24:3,8
And I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that you shall not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

And yet Let no one Think that we are Perversely Determined not to ...
... Triptolemus, Hercules, ??sculapius, and all the others, to whom the reverence of
antiquity dedicated magnificent ... [3936] Lit., "take the oaths of allegiance" or ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/6 and yet let no.htm

The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras ...
... Funeral feasts are also mentioned as of considerable antiquity, Ezekiel 24:17; Jeremiah ...
next section, to admit none till they take tremendous oaths to perform ...
/.../chapter 22 the jews make.htm

Preface to Part ii. Of the Oxford Edition.
... of the two; and that the other could claim no higher antiquity than that ... Study of
the Scriptures, On Alms, On Anger and Gentleness, Against Oaths and Swearing ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/preface to part ii of.htm

Criticisms of the Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force on ...
... and to take Refuge Behind the Authority of the Church, of Antiquity, and of ... with
war, courts of justice, capital punishment, divorce, oaths, national prejudice ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter ii criticisms of the.htm

Book 1.
... have a little before made use of as a witness to our antiquity; I mean ... the priests
of Hellopolis, whose name was Osarsiph, and they took their oaths that they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book 1.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... in which also you say that Christ completed the law given to these righteous men
of antiquity, I cannot be ... And what do you make of the oaths of the apostle? ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

Judaism.
... Judaism, in sharp contrast with the idolatrous nations of antiquity, was like ... wore
white garments, rejected animal food, bloody sacrifices, oaths, slavery, and ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 9 judaism.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... Greeks were the ghosts and genii of departed men." "All Pagan antiquity affirms,"
says Dr ... false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Samuel
... victory"all these things bespeak for the document that relates them a high antiquity. ...
lxx.), of the place of fasting and the inviolability of oaths (1 Samuel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/samuel.htm

Of Atheistical Discourse.
... superseded: and yet we see none own God more in their oaths, than those ... may challenge
any ingenious man, to produce any writing of that antiquity, whose phrase ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section iii of atheistical discourse.htm

What does the Bible say about keeping your vows / oaths? | GotQuestions.org

Why did oaths involve putting a hand under someone's thigh (Genesis 24:9)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to let your yes be yes and your no be no? | GotQuestions.org

Oaths: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus