# oath, oaths, oath-taking, swear, swears, swearing, swear by, swears by, swore

## Definition:

In the Bible, an oath is a formal promise to do something. The person making the oath is required to fulfill that promise. An oath involves a commitment to being faithful and truthful.

* In a court of law, a witness often gives an oath to promise that whatever he says will be true and factual.
* In the Bible, the term "swear" means to speak an oath.
* The term "swear by" means to use the name of something or someone as the basis or power on which the oath is made.
* Sometimes these terms are used together, as in "swear an oath."
* Abraham and Abimelech swore an oath when they made a covenant together concerning the use of a well.
* Abraham told his servant to swear (formally promise) that he would find Isaac a wife from among Abraham's relatives.
* God also made oaths in which he made promises to his people.
* A modern-day meaning of the word "swear" means is "use foul language." This is not its meaning in the Bible.

## Translation Suggestions:

* Depending on the context, "an oath" could also be translated as "a pledge" or "a solemn promise."
* To "swear" could be translated as to "formally promise" or to "pledge" or to "commit to do something."
* Other ways to translate "swear by my name" could include "make a promise using my name to confirm it."
* To "swear by heaven and earth" could be translated as to, "promise to do something, stating that heaven and earth will confirm it."
* Make sure the translation of "swear" or "oath" does not refer to cursing. In the Bible it does not have that meaning.

(See also: [Abimelech](../names/abimelech.md), [covenant](../kt/covenant.md), [vow](../kt/vow.md))

## Bible References:

* [Genesis 21:23](rc://en/tn/help/gen/21/23)
* [Genesis 24:03](rc://en/tn/help/gen/24/03)
* [Genesis 31:51-53](rc://en/tn/help/gen/31/51)
* [Genesis 47:31](rc://en/tn/help/gen/47/31)
* [Luke 01:73](rc://en/tn/help/luk/01/73)
* [Mark 06:26](rc://en/tn/help/mrk/06/26)
* [Matthew 05:36](rc://en/tn/help/mat/05/36)
* [Matthew 14:6-7](rc://en/tn/help/mat/14/06)
* [Matthew 26:72](rc://en/tn/help/mat/26/72)

## Word Data:

* Strong's: H422, H423, H3027, H5375, H7621, H7650, G332, G3660, G3726, G3727, G3728, G3784