Categories
Ancient Documents
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Ancient Israel
Ancient Near East
Ancient Other
Ancient Persia
Ancient Rome
Archaeology
Bible History
Bible Searches
Biblical Archaeology
Childrens Resources
Church History
Evolution & Science
Illustrated History
Images & Art
Intertestamental
Jesus
Languages
Maps & Geography
Messianic Prophecies
Museums
Mythology & Beliefs
People in History
Rabbinical Works
Societies & Studies
Study Tools
Timelines & Charts
Weapons & Warfare
World History
November 22 Scripture
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Smiths Bible Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
|
Oath The principle on which an oath is held to be binding is incidentally laid down in Heb 6:16 viz. as an ultimate appeal to divine authority to ratify an assertion. On the same principle, that oath has always been held most binding which appealed to the highest authority, as regards both individuals and communities. As a consequence of this principle, appeals to God's name on the one hand, and to heathen deities on the other, are treated in scripture as tests of allegiance. Ex 23:13; 34:6; De 29:12 etc. So also the sovereign's name is sometimes used as a form of obligation. Ge 42:15; 2Sa 11:11; 14:19 Other forms of oath, serious or frivolous, are mentioned, some of which are condemned by our Lord. Mt 6:33; 23:16-22 and see Jas 5:12 (There is, however, a world-wide difference between a solemn appeal to God and profane swearing.) The forms of adjuration mentioned in Scripture are -- 1. Lifting up the hand. Witnesses laid their hands on the head of the accused. Ge 14:22; Le 24:14; De 17:7; Isa 3:7 2. Putting the hand under the thigh of the person to whom the Promise was made. Ge 24:2; 47:29 3. Oaths were sometimes taken before the altar, or, as some understand the passage, if the persons were not in Jerusalem, in a position looking toward the temple. 1Ki 8:31; 2Ch 6:22 4. Dividing a victim and passing between or distributing the pieces. Ge 15:10,17; Jer 34:18 As the sanctity of oaths was carefully inculcated by the law, so the crime of perjury was strongly condemned; and to a false witness the same punishment was assigned which was due for the crime to which he testified. Ex 20:7; Le 19:12 |
Smith, William, Dr "Definition for 'Oath' Smiths Bible Dictionary".
bible-history.com - Smiths; 1901.
Copyright Information
© Smiths's Bible Dictionary
Smiths Bible Dictionary Home
Bible History Online Home
Bible
Encyclopedia (ISBE)
Online Bible (KJV)
Naves Topical Bible
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Easton's Bible Dictionary