Oaths

• The lawful purpose of, explained Heb. 6:16
• Antiquity of Gen. 14:22, 24:3, 8
• USED FOR
  • Confirming covenants Gen. 26:28, 31:44, 53; 1 Sam. 20:16,17
  • Deciding controversies in courts of law Ex. 22:11; Num. 5:19; 1 Ki. 8:31
  • Pledging allegiance to sovereigns 2 Ki. 11:4; Eccl. 8:2
  • Binding to performance of sacred duties Num. 30:2; 2 Chr. 15:14,15; Neh. 10:29; Ps. 132:2
  • Binding to performance of any particular act Gen. 24:3,4, 50:25; Josh. 2:12
• Judicial from of administering 1 Ki. 22:16; Mt. 26:63
• Often accompanied by raising up the hand Gen. 14:22; Dan. 12:7; Rev. 10:5,6
• Often accompanied by placing the hand under the thigh of the person sworn to Gen. 24:2, 9, 47:29
• To be taken in fear and reverence Eccl. 9:2
• THE JEWS
  • Forbidden to take, in name of idols Josh. 23:7
  • Forbidden to take in the name of any created thing Mt. 5:34-36; Jas. 5:12
  • Forbidden to take false Lev. 6:3; Zech. 8:17
  • Forbidden to take rash, or unholy Lev. 5:4
  • To use God's name alone in Dt. 6:13, 10:20; Isa. 65:16
  • To take, in truth, judgment, &c Jer. 4:2
  • Generally respected the obligation of Josh. 9:19,20; 2 Sam. 21:7; Ps. 15:4; Mt. 14:9
  • Fell into many errors respecting Mt. 23:16-22
  • Often guilty of rashly taking Judg. 21:7; Mt. 14:7, 26:72
  • Often guilty of falsely taking Lev. 6:3; Jer. 5:2, 7:9
  • Condemned for false Zech. 5:4; Mal. 3:5
  • Condemned for profane Jer. 23:10; Hos. 4:2
• INSTANCES OF RASH, &c
  • Joshua, &c Josh. 9:15,16
  • Jephthah Judg. 11:30-36
  • Saul 1 Sam. 14:27, 44
  • Herod Mt. 14:7-9
  • The Jews who sought to kill Paul Acts 23:21
• Custom of swearing by the life of the king Gen. 42:15,16
• EXPRESSIONS USED AS
  • By the fear of Isaac Gen. 31:53
  • As the Lord liveth Judg. 8:19; Ruth 3:13
  • The Lord do so to me, and more also Ruth 1:17
  • God do so to thee, and more also 1 Sam. 3:17
  • By the Lord 2 Sam. 19:7; 1 Ki. 2:42
  • Before God I lie not Gal. 1:20
  • I call God for a record 2 Cor. 1:23
  • God is witness 1 Th. 2:5
  • I charge you by the Lord 1 Th. 5:27
  • As thy soul liveth 1 Sam. 1:26, 25:26
• God used, to show the immutability of His counsel Gen. 22:16; Num. 14:28; Heb. 6:17