Swearing falsely, or making false oaths, is explicitly forbidden in the Bible and is considered a serious offense against God and His commandments. The act of swearing falsely involves invoking God's name to affirm a lie or deceit, thereby misusing His holy name and violating the trust inherent in oaths.

Old Testament Teachings

The prohibition against swearing falsely is rooted in the Mosaic Law. In Leviticus 19:12, the Israelites are commanded, "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 importance of truthfulness in speech. The act of swearing falsely not only dishonors God but also undermines the moral fabric of the community.

The Third Commandment, found in Exodus 20:7, further emphasizes the gravity of misusing God's name: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain" . This commandment encompasses all forms of misuse of God's name, including false oaths.

In Zechariah 8:17, the prophet admonishes the people, "Do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things, declares the LORD" . This passage highlights God's abhorrence of deceit and falsehood, particularly when it involves His name.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to uphold the prohibition against swearing falsely. Jesus Christ, in His Sermon on the Mount, addresses the issue of oaths and truthfulness. 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, suggesting that one's word should be sufficient without the need for oaths.

James 5:12 echoes this teaching: "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 honesty and the avoidance of unnecessary oaths, which can lead to falsehood and judgment.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Swearing falsely is not merely a breach of social trust but a sin against God. It reflects a lack of reverence for His holiness and a disregard for the truth, which is central to God's character. The Bible consistently calls believers to uphold truth and integrity in all their dealings, recognizing that their words and actions are a reflection of their faith and relationship with God.

The biblical injunctions against swearing falsely serve as a reminder of the power of words and the responsibility that comes with invoking God's name. Believers are called to live lives marked by honesty, ensuring that their speech aligns with the truth and honors God in all circumstances.Leviticus 19:12
And you shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 30:2
If a man vow a vow to the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 5:33
Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether He Sins who Demands an Oath of a Perjurer?
... when a man knows another to be swearing falsely, he is ... xlvii), "though we are forbidden
to swear, I do ... another to swear, knowing that he will swear falsely. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether he sins who demands.htm

The Heinous Sin of Profane Cursing and Swearing
... in the matter of swearing, because God had forbidden his people, in the books of
Exodus and Deuteronomy, "to take his name in vain," or to swear falsely by his ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of profane.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... of insincerity in making an evil engagement; but every such compact is forbidden.
When, therefore, as in many passages, swearing falsely is denounced with a ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Letter Xlvii. (AD 398. )
... it is, beyond all doubt, worse to swear falsely by the ... ground on which you forbear
from swearing yourself, you ... be your opinion, regard it as forbidden to exact ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xlvii a d 398.htm

Chapter xvii.
... as that any one should think that he may swear falsely by it ... unnecessary appeals
to God, as well as careless and profane swearing, are forbidden, as coming ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvii.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... which in human conduct corresponds to the characteristics of the forbidden animals. ...
For one who never swears is less in danger of swearing falsely than one who ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... 2] The second thing forbidden in this ... be a false witness, and has testified falsely
against his ... That which is condemned in the commandment is, swearing to what ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

Psalm CX.
... rightly forbidden to swear: for he will be farther from perjury in proportion as
he is far from swearing. For the man who sweareth, may swear truly or falsely: ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cx.htm

The Third Commandment
... There is a threefold swearing forbidden: ... That which makes swearing yet more heinous,
is, that when men ... Ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 3 the third commandment.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my ... All polygamy is clearly forbidden
in these words, wherein ... not only allowed all manner of swearing in common ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 23 upon our lords.htm

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