Oaths

The lawful purpose of, explained — Heb 6:16.

Antiquity of — Ge 14:22; 24:3,8.

Used for

Confirming covenants. — Ge 26:28; 31:44,53; 1Sa 20:16,17.

Deciding controversies in courts of law. — Ex 22:11; Nu 5:19; 1Ki 8:31.

Pledging allegiance to sovereigns. — 2Ki 11:4; Ec 8:2.

Binding to performance of sacred duties. — Nu 30:2; 2Ch 15:14,15; Ne 10:29; Ps 132:2.

Binding to performance of any particular act. — Ge 24:3,4; 50:25; Jos 2:12.

Judicial from of administering — 1Ki 22:16; Mt 26:63.

Often accompanied by raising up the hand — Ge 14:22; Da 12:7; Re 10:5,6.

Often accompanied by placing the hand under the thigh of the person sworn to — Ge 24:2,9; 47:29.

To be taken in fear and reverence — Ec 9:2.

The Jews

Forbidden to take, in name of idols. — Jos 23:7.

Forbidden to take in the name of any created thing. — Mt 5:34-36; Jas 5:12.

Forbidden to take false. — Le 6:3; Zec 8:17.

Forbidden to take rash, or unholy. — Le 5:4.

To use God’s name alone in. — De 6:13; 10:20; Isa 65:16.

To take, in truth, judgment, &c. — Jer 4:2.

Generally respected the obligation of. — Jos 9:19,20; 2Sa 21:7; Ps 15:4; Mt 14:9.

Fell into many errors respecting. — Mt 23:16-22.

Often guilty of rashly taking. — Jdj 21:7; Mt 14:7; 26:72.

Often guilty of falsely taking. — Le 6:3; Jer 5:2; 7:9.

Condemned for false. — Zec 5:4; Mal 3:5.

Condemned for profane. — Jer 23:10; Ho 4:2.

Instances of rash,

Joshua, &c. — Jos 9:15,16.

Jephthah. — Jdj 11:30-36.

Saul. — 1Sa 14:27,44.

Herod. — Mt 14:7-9.

The Jews who sought to kill Paul. — Ac 23:21.

Custom of swearing by the life of the king — Ge 42:15,16.

Expressions used as

By the fear of Isaac. — Ge 31:53.

As the Lord liveth. — Jdj 8:19; Ru 3:13.

The Lord do so to me, and more also. — Ru 1:17.

God do so to thee, and more also. — 1Sa 3:17.

By the Lord. — 2Sa 19:7; 1Ki 2:42.

God do so to thee and more also. — 1Sa 3:17.

Before God I lie not. — Ga 1:20.

I call God for a record. — 2Co 1:23.

God is witness. — 1Th 2:5.

I charge you by the Lord. — 1Th 5:27.

As thy soul liveth. — 1Sa 1:26; 25:26.

God used, to show the immutability of his counsel — Ge 22:16; Nu 14:28; 6:17.