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# oath, swear, swear by #
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## Definition: ##
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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.
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* In a court of law, a witness often gives an oath to promise that whatever he says will be true and factual.
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* 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.
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* Sometimes these terms are used together, as in "swear an oath."
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* 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.
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* God also made oaths in which he made promises to his people.
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* A modern-day meaning of the word "swear" means is "use foul language." This is not its meaning in the Bible.
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## Translation Suggestions: ##
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* Depending on the context, "an oath" could also be translated as "a pledge" or "a solemn promise."
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* "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."
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* Make sure the translation of "swear" or "oath" does not refer to cursing. In the Bible it does not have that meaning.
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(See also: [Abimelech ](../other/abimelech.md ), [covenant ](../kt/covenant.md ), [vow ](../kt/vow.md ))
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## Bible References: ##
* [Genesis 21:22-24 ](en/tn/gen/help/21/22 )
* [Genesis 24:1-4 ](en/tn/gen/help/24/01 )
* [Genesis 31:51-53 ](en/tn/gen/help/31/51 )
* [Genesis 47:29-31 ](en/tn/gen/help/47/29 )
* [Luke 01:72-75 ](en/tn/luk/help/01/72 )
* [Mark 06:26-29 ](en/tn/mrk/help/06/26 )
* [Matthew 05:36-37 ](en/tn/mat/help/05/36 )
* [Matthew 14:6-7 ](en/tn/mat/help/14/06 )
* [Matthew 26:71-72 ](en/tn/mat/help/26/71 )
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