Oaths: The Jews: Condemned for Profane
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, oaths hold significant importance as solemn promises or declarations, often invoking God as a witness to the truth of one's word. The Jewish tradition, deeply rooted in the Old Testament, acknowledges the gravity of making oaths. However, the misuse or profanation of oaths is sternly condemned in Scripture, reflecting a broader concern for integrity and reverence for God's name.

The Mosaic Law provided guidelines for making oaths, emphasizing the necessity of truthfulness and the fulfillment of vows. Leviticus 19:12 states, "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." This command underscores the sanctity of God's name and the serious nature of invoking it in an oath. The Israelites were expected to uphold their promises, as failing to do so would not only be deceitful but also a direct affront to God's holiness.

Despite these clear instructions, the Jewish people were often rebuked by the prophets for their failure to honor their oaths. The prophet Jeremiah, for instance, highlights the pervasive dishonesty and unfaithfulness among the people. In Jeremiah 7:9 , he questions, "Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods you have not known?" Here, perjury, or false swearing, is listed among serious transgressions, illustrating the moral decay that had infiltrated the society.

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Christ addressing the issue of oaths in His Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:33-37 , 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. 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 straightforward honesty, suggesting that a person's word should be reliable without the need for additional oaths.

The apostle James echoes this teaching in his epistle, reinforcing the call for integrity among believers. James 5:12 advises, "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 reflects a consistent biblical principle: the integrity of one's word is paramount, and the misuse of oaths is a serious matter that can lead to divine judgment.

Throughout Scripture, the condemnation of profane oaths serves as a reminder of the need for sincerity and truthfulness in all interactions. The Jewish people, like all of humanity, are called to reflect God's character in their speech and commitments, ensuring that their words align with His truth and righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Jeremiah 23:10
For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourns; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 4:2
By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood touches blood.
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Library

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

Archelaus's Ethnarchy is Reduced into a [Roman] Province. The ...
... These last are Jews by birth, and seem to have a ... be believed without [swearing by]
God is already condemned. ... he is obliged to take tremendous oaths, that, in ...
/.../chapter 8 archelauss ethnarchy is.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

Book 18 Footnotes
... consuls are named in the War of the Jews, B. II ... deserved to die, when those murderers
were under oaths, or other ... [20] A strange number of condemned criminals to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 18 footnotes.htm

Index of Subjects.
... ceremonious, [54]129; riotous, [55]217; profane, [56]248 ... His Mother, [282]280; willed
the Jews' salvation, [283 ... sea, [287]312; how far condemned tradition, [288 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm

The Decalogue: I --Man and God
... calf, which was a symbol of Jehovah, is condemned equally with ... use of the name of
God in oaths, whether false ... we hold fast by it; not because the Jews were bid ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the decalogue iman and god.htm

In Pilate's Judgment Hall
... and jeering are mingled with the coarse oaths of blasphemy ... of the divinity of Him
whom they condemned to death ... He knew that if the Jews were thwarted, their rage ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 77 in pilates judgment.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... frequent in the world, both among Jews and Gentiles ... those who swore so mightily."
Wherefore oaths, as they ... offenders, assuredly liars will be condemned to the ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

Book 13 Footnotes
... The whole evidence, by the very oaths of both ... as a considerable party among the Jews,
being contained in ... of the Pharisees, which our Savior condemned as well ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 13 footnotes.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... abandonment it should seem to be condemned rather than ... apostles, and stubbornly insisted
on the Gentiles becoming Jews. ... what do you make of the oaths of the ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

Resources
Should a Christian pledge allegiance to the flag? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Order of DeMolay? | GotQuestions.org

What sort of things should be in Christian wedding/marriage vows? | GotQuestions.org

Oaths: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Oaths

Oaths used for Binding to Performance of Any Particular Act

Oaths used for Binding to Performance of Sacred Duties

Oaths used for Confirming Covenants

Oaths used for Deciding Controversies in Courts of Law

Oaths used for Pledging Allegiance to Sovereigns

Oaths: Antiquity of

Oaths: Custom of Swearing by the Life of the King

Oaths: Expressions Used as As the Lord Liveth

Oaths: Expressions Used as As Thy Soul Liveth

Oaths: Expressions Used as Before God I Lie Not

Oaths: Expressions Used As by the Fear of Isaac

Oaths: Expressions Used As by the Lord

Oaths: Expressions Used as God do So to Thee and More Also

Oaths: Expressions Used as God do So to Thee, and More Also

Oaths: Expressions Used as God is Witness

Oaths: Expressions Used as I Call God for a Record

Oaths: Expressions Used as I Charge You by the Lord

Oaths: Expressions Used as The Lord do So to Me, and More Also

Oaths: God Used, to Show the Immutability of his Counsel

Oaths: Judicial from of Administering

Oaths: Often Accompanied by Placing the Hand Under the Thigh of The

Oaths: Often Accompanied by Raising up the Hand

Oaths: Rash: Herod

Oaths: Rash: Jephthah

Oaths: Rash: Joshua

Oaths: Rash: Saul

Oaths: Rash: The Jews Who Sought to Kill Paul

Oaths: The Jews: Condemned for False

Oaths: The Jews: Condemned for Profane

Oaths: The Jews: Fell Into Many Errors Respecting

Oaths: The Jews: Forbidden to Take False

Oaths: The Jews: Forbidden to Take in the Name of Any Created Thing

Oaths: The Jews: Forbidden to Take Rash, or Unholy

Oaths: The Jews: Forbidden to Take, in Name of Idols

Oaths: The Jews: Generally Respected the Obligation of

Oaths: The Jews: Often Guilty of Falsely Taking

Oaths: The Jews: Often Guilty of Rashly Taking

Oaths: The Jews: To Take, in Truth, Judgment

Oaths: The Jews: To Use God's Name Alone In

Oaths: The Lawful Purpose of, Explained

Oaths: To be Taken in Fear and Reverence

Related Terms

Oaths (49 Occurrences)

Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)

Reject (56 Occurrences)

Meat (387 Occurrences)

Sorry (27 Occurrences)

Sakes (35 Occurrences)

Sat (222 Occurrences)

Yet (1244 Occurrences)

Obadiah (21 Occurrences)

Oaths: The Jews: Condemned for False
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