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Oath (2)

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Smith Bible Dictionary
• Oath (2)
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McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia
• Oath (2)

Oath. The principle on which an oath is held to be binding is incidentally laid down in Hebrews 6:16, namely, 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. Exodus 23:13; Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 29:12; etc.

So also the sovereign's name is sometimes used as a form of obligation. Genesis 42:15; 2 Samuel 11:11; 2 Samuel 14:19. Other forms of oath, serious or frivolous, are mentioned, some of which are condemned by our Lord. Matthew 6:33; Matthew 23:16-22 and See James 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 -

Lifting up the hand. Witnesses laid their hands on the head of the accused. Genesis 14:22; Leviticus 24:14; Leviticus 17:7; Isaiah 3:7.

Putting the hand under the thigh of the person to whom the Promise was made. Genesis 24:2; Genesis 47:29.

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. 1 Kings 8:31; 2 Chronicles 6:22.

Dividing a victim and passing between or distributing the pieces. Genesis 15:10; Genesis 15:17; Jeremiah 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. Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12.