en_tw/bible/other/oath/01.md

# oath, swear, swear by #

## 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.

* Often in a court of law, a witness 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 use of the word "swear" means to 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 by "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, "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: [[other/abimelech]] **·** [[kt/covenant]] **·** [[kt/vow]])

## 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)
added version 3 2017-04-15 17:23:59 +00:00			`# oath, swear, swear by #`
added version 1 2017-04-15 17:22:54 +00:00
added version 3 2017-04-15 17:23:59 +00:00			`## Definition: ##`
added version 1 2017-04-15 17:22:54 +00:00
added version 3 2017-04-15 17:23:59 +00:00			`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.`
added version 1 2017-04-15 17:22:54 +00:00
added version 3 2017-04-15 17:23:59 +00:00			`* Often in a court of law, a witness gives an oath to promise that whatever he says will be true and factual.`
added version 2 2017-04-15 17:23:27 +00:00			`* 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.`
added version 1 2017-04-15 17:22:54 +00:00			`* God also made oaths in which he made promises to his people.`
			`* A modern-day use of the word "swear" means to use foul language. This is not its meaning in the Bible.`

added version 3 2017-04-15 17:23:59 +00:00			`## Translation Suggestions: ##`
added version 1 2017-04-15 17:22:54 +00:00
added version 3 2017-04-15 17:23:59 +00:00			`* Depending on the context, "an oath" could also be translated as "a pledge" or "a solemn promise."`
			`* "To swear" could be translated by "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, "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.`
added version 1 2017-04-15 17:22:54 +00:00
added master from April 12, 2017 2017-04-15 17:25:45 +00:00			`(See also: [[other/abimelech]] · [[kt/covenant]] · [[kt/vow]])`
added version 1 2017-04-15 17:22:54 +00:00
added version 3 2017-04-15 17:23:59 +00:00			`## 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)`