oath(s)

A Dictionary of the Bible | 1997 | 589 words | Copyright

oath(s) A sanction employed by religious and secular authorities to ensure that a person, especially a witness in court, shall tell the truth. Oaths were part of Israelite culture: the name of God is invoked and divine punishment is expected if the truth is distorted—it is profanation (Exod. 20: 7). The practice continued in NT times (Matt. 23: 16–22), but in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus explained that in the kingdom of God such expedients belied relationships of truth and love (Matt. 5: 34). The epistle of James urges believers to renounce the use of oaths (5: 12).

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W. R. F. BROWNING. "oath(s)." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

W. R. F. BROWNING. "oath(s)." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-oaths.html

W. R. F. BROWNING. "oath(s)." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-oaths.html

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