What does the Bible say about oath?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that oaths are solemn appeals to God that should be made truthfully, kept faithfully, and never used carelessly or deceitfully. Abraham lifted his hand to the Lord in Genesis 14:22-23, refusing gain that might obscure God’s glory. In Genesis 21:22-23 and Genesis 26:26-31, oaths helped establish peace and trustworthy relations between peoples. Abraham’s servant swore concerning Isaac’s marriage in Genesis 24:2-9, showing the seriousness of covenantal responsibility. Yet Genesis 25:33 warns that a binding oath cannot make a foolish or ungodly bargain wise. God’s people should therefore speak with integrity, honor lawful promises, and depend on the Lord rather than manipulate others through religious words.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- (A solemn qualification) -Used in solemnizing covenants
- Between Abraham and the king of Sodom Genesis 14:22; Genesis 14:23
- Between Abraham and Abimelech Genesis 21:22; Genesis 21:23
- Between Isaac and Abimelech Genesis 26:26-29; Genesis 26:31
- Abraham requires oath of his servant Eliezer Genesis 24:2; Genesis 24:3; Genesis 24:9
- Esau confirms the sale of his birthright by Genesis 25:33
- Jacob confirms the covenant between him and Laban by Genesis 31:53
- Requires Joseph to swear that he would bury him with his forefathers Genesis 47:28-31
- Joseph requires a similar oath Genesis 50:25
- Rahab requires an oath from the spies Joshua 2:12-14; Joshua 6:22
- The Israelites confirm the covenant with the Hivites Joshua 9:3-20
- Moses covenants with Caleb by Joshua 14:9
- The elders of Gilead confirm their pledge to Jephthah by Judges 11:10
- The Israelites swear in Mizpeh Judges 21:5
- Ruth swears to Naomi Ruth 1:17
- Boaz swears to Ruth Ruth 3:13
- Saul swears to Jonathan 1 Samuel 19:6
- Jonathan and David confirm a covenant by 1 Samuel 20:3; 1 Samuel 20:13-17
- David swears to Saul 1 Samuel 24:21; 1 Samuel 24:22; 2 Samuel 21:7
- Saul swears to the witch of En-dor 1 Samuel 28:10
- David swears not to eat until the sun goes down 2 Samuel 3:35
- Joab confirms his word by 2 Samuel 19:7
- David swears to Bath-sheba that Solomon will be king 1 Kings 1:28; 1 Kings 1:29
- Solomon confirms his word by 1 Kings 2:23
- So does Shimei 1 Kings 2:42
- Elisha seals his vow to follow Elijah by 2 Kings 2:2
- King of Samaria confirms his word with an 2 Kings 6:31
- Gehazi confirms his lie by 2 Kings 5:20
- Jehoida requires an oath from the rulers 2 Kings 11:4
- Zedekiah violates 2 Chronicles 36:13
- Ezra requires, of the Priests and Levites Ezra 10:5; Ezra 10:19
- So does Nehemiah Nehemiah 5:12; Nehemiah 5:13
- Zedekiah swears to Jeremiah Jeremiah 38:16
- Gedaliah confirms his word by Jeremiah 40:9
- Peter confirms his denial of Jesus by Mark 14:71
- ATTRIBUTED TO GOD Genesis 22:16; Psalms 89:35; Psalms 95:11; Psalms 105:9; Psalms 132:11; Isaiah 14:24; Isaiah 45:23; Jeremiah 11:5; Jeremiah 22:5; Jeremiah 49:13; Jeremiah 51:14; Luke 1:73
- UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Exodus 20:7; Exodus 22:10; Exodus 22:11; Exodus 23:1; Leviticus 6:2-5; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 5:19-24; Deuteronomy 5:11; Deuteronomy 6:13; Deuteronomy 10:20; 1 Kings 8:31; 1 Kings 8:32
- See COVENANT
- See FALSE WITNESS
- See GOD, PROFANING HIS NAME
Showing the first 40 headings of this outline.
See also
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about oath and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about oath