oracle Summary and Overview

In the Old Testament used in every case, except 2 Sam. 16:23, to denote the most holy place in the temple (1 Kings 6:5, 19-23; 8:6). In 2 Sam. 16:23 it means the Word of God. A man inquired "at the oracle of God" by means of the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate on the high priest's ephod. In the New Testament it is used only in the plural, and always denotes the Word of God (Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12, etc.). The Scriptures are called "living oracles" (compare Heb. 4:12) because of their quickening power (Acts 7:38).

OR'ACLE . This term is in the O.T. in every case but one applied to the most holy place in the temple, whence God declared his will to ancient Israel. 1 Kgs 6:5, 1 Kgs 6:19-23; 1 Kgs 8:6. But in 2 Sam 16:23 it is used in the ordinary sense. In the N.T. it is in the plural, and is applied to the Scriptures, which contain the will of God. Rom 3:2; Heb 5:12; 1 Pet 4:11. Once they are called "living" because of their quickening effects. Acts 7:38. By the oracles, in the heathen world, were understood the shrines where utterances concerning the future were given and the utterance itself. The Greeks had many such oracles, of which the most famous was the oracle of Delphi. The priestess, sitting on a tripod over a chasm from which an intoxicating vapor was said to ascend, uttered incoherent words, which were then interpreted by a prophet. These oracles at one time stood in high repute and were consulted by kings. They did not, however, withstand very long the corruptive power of money and bribery.