Oath
שְׁבוּעָה (shevuah)
A solemn pledge — a binding declaration invoking God as witness and guarantor.
Shevuah is the Hebrew word for oath, a solemn, binding declaration invoking God's name as guarantor. God Himself swears oaths to confirm His promises, making His word doubly certain.
"Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath." — Hebrews 6:17 (KJV)
Key Verses
Hebrews 6:17
“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.”Read in context
Genesis 22:16
“By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son.”Read in context
Psalm 110:4
“The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H7621 — Oath (שְׁבוּעָה (shevuah))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where שְׁבוּעָה (shevuah) appears.
Open Strong's H7621Etymology and Original Meaning
Shevuah derives from the Hebrew root sheva, meaning 'seven' — likely because oaths were often sealed with seven witnesses, seven sacrifices, or a sevenfold declaration. The word carries the weight of the sacred: to swear an oath was to invoke the divine realm as guarantor. Breaking an oath was not merely dishonest but sacrilegious.
God's Oaths
Remarkably, God Himself swears oaths. He swore to Abraham (Genesis 22:16-18), to David (Psalm 89:3-4), and regarding Christ's priesthood (Psalm 110:4). Hebrews 6:17-18 explains that God confirmed His promise with an oath so that 'by two immutable things' — His promise and His oath — believers would have absolute assurance. God condescends to human weakness, offering extra confirmation.
Oaths in Israelite Life
Oaths structured covenant relationships, legal proceedings, and interpersonal agreements in Israel. Witnesses swore before God (Exodus 22:11). Kings swore treaties. The Nazirite took a vow of consecration (Numbers 6). The seriousness of oath-taking reflected the belief that God heard, remembered, and would hold the swearer accountable.
Jesus and Oaths
Jesus taught, 'Swear not at all... But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay' (Matthew 5:34-37). He was not abolishing all oaths but condemning the Pharisaic practice of evasive swearing — using clever formulas to create loopholes. Jesus calls for integrity so complete that a simple yes or no carries the weight of an oath.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an oath in the Bible?
An oath (shevuah) is a solemn, binding declaration that invokes God as witness and guarantor. It confirms the truth of a statement or the commitment of a promise with sacred weight.
Did Jesus forbid all oaths?
Jesus condemned evasive, dishonest swearing, not all oaths. He Himself testified under oath before the high priest (Matthew 26:63-64). His point is that believers should be so truthful that oaths become unnecessary.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Oath"?
Hebrews 6:17 — "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath" (KJV). It also appears in Genesis 22:16, Psalm 110:4.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Oath" matter?
Shevuah derives from the Hebrew root sheva, meaning 'seven' — likely because oaths were often sealed with seven witnesses, seven sacrifices, or a sevenfold declaration. English uses one word, "Oath", where the Hebrew שְׁבוּעָה (shevuah) carries the fuller sense: a solemn pledge — a binding declaration invoking god as witness and guarantor.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Oath (שְׁבוּעָה (shevuah))
A solemn pledge — a binding declaration invoking God as witness and guarantor.
Strong's H7621 — Oath
שְׁבוּעָה (shevuah) • A solemn pledge — a binding declaration invoking God as witness and guarantor.
Oath (שְׁבוּעָה (Shevu'ah))
A solemn oath or sworn promise, invoking God as witness.
Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)
Life, atonement, and covenant with God.
Biblical Meaning of Fire in a Dream (KJV)
God's presence, purification, and judgment.
Strong's H4941 — Justice (Mishpat)
מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) • Right judgment and fair treatment — giving each person what they are due under God's standard.
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