Lexical Summary omnuó: To swear, to take an oath Original Word: ὀμνύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance swear. A prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete omo, for which another prolonged form omoo (om-o'-o) is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. Take (or declare on) oath -- swear. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originand omnumi; a prim. verb Definition to swear, take an oath NASB Translation make an oath (1), make...oath (1), swear (6), swears (10), swore (6), sworn (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3660: ὀμνύωὀμνύω (Matthew 23:20; Matthew 26:74; Hebrews 6:16; James 5:12; (Winer's Grammar, 24)) and ὄμνυμι (ὀμνύναι, Mark 14:71 G L T Tr WH (cf. B. 45 (39))) form their tenses from ὈΜΟΩ; hence, 1 aorist ὤμοσα; the Sept. for נִשְׁבַּע ; to swear; to affirm, promise, threaten, with an oath: absolutely, followed by direct discourse, Matthew 26:74; Mark 14:71; Hebrews 7:21; followed by εἰ, Hebrews 3:11; Hebrews 4:3; see εἰ I. 5. ὀμνύειν ὅρκον (often so in Greek writings from Homer down (Winer's Grammar, 226 (212))) πρός τινα, to one (Homer, Odyssey 14, 331; 19, 288), Luke 1:73; ὀμνύειν with the dative of the person to whom one promises or threatens something with an oath: followed by direct discourse Mark 6:23; by an infinitive (Winer's Grammar, 331 (311)), Hebrews 3:18; with ὅρκῳ added, Acts 2:30 (Winer's Grammar, 603 (561)); τίνι τί, Acts 7:17 (Rec. i. e. genitive by attraction; cf. Buttmann, § 143, 8; Winer's Grammar, § 24, 1). that by which one swears is indicated by an accusative, τινα or τί (so in classical Greek from Homer down (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 32, 1 b. γ.; Buttmann, 147 (128))), in swearing to call a person or thing as witness, to invoke, swear by (Isaiah 65:16; Josephus, Antiquities 5, 1, 2; 7, 14, 5); τόν οὐρανόν, τήν γῆν, James 5:12; with prepositions (cf. Buttmann, as above): κατά τίνος (see κατά, I. 2 a.), Hebrews 6:13, 16 (Genesis 22:16; Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel 28:10 (Complutensian); Isaiah 45:23; Isaiah 62:8; Amos 4:2; Demosthenes, p. 553, 17; 553, 26 (others, ἐπομνύειν), etc.; κατά πάντων ὠμνυε θεῶν, Long. past. 4, 16); in imitation of the Hebrew נִשְׁבַּע followed by בְּ, ἐν τίνι is used (Winers Grammar, 389 (364); Buttmann, the passage cited; see ἐν, I. 8{b}): Matthew 5:34, 36; Matthew 23:16, 18, 20-22; Revelation 10:6; εἰς εἰ, with the mind directed unto (Winers Grammar, 397 (371); Buttmann, as above; see εἰς, B. II. 2 a.), Matthew 5:35. STRONGS NT 3660: ὁμόωὁμόω, see ὀμνύω. Topical Lexicon The Idea of Swearing in Scripture Strong’s 3660 describes the solemn invocation of a higher power to guarantee truthfulness or fidelity. Every New Testament use presupposes that an oath calls God to witness, whether explicitly named or implicitly present. Accordingly, each occurrence either affirms or challenges integrity, highlights divine faithfulness, or exposes hypocrisy. Old Testament Foundations The concept is rooted in covenant life. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and the prophets all swore oaths before the Lord. The Septuagint often employs ὀμνύω to translate Hebrew שָׁבַע, supplying a bridge into New Testament usage. Mosaic law regulated oaths (Exodus 20:7; Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 6:13), insisting that every vow be truthful, necessary, and faithfully kept. Teaching of Jesus During the Sermon on the Mount Jesus redirects attention from formula to character: “But I tell you not to swear at all…” (Matthew 5:34-37). His prohibition does not outlaw every formal vow; He Himself answered under oath before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:63-64). Rather, disciples are called to such consistent truthfulness that formal guarantees become superfluous. Anything beyond straightforward honesty “comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). Pharisaic Casuistry Exposed Matthew 23:16-22 records six uses of the verb. By distinguishing between oaths “by the temple” and “by the gold of the temple,” or “by the altar” versus “by the gift,” the religious leaders created loopholes that trivialized truth. Jesus dismantles the scheme: “Whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it” (Matthew 23:22). The point is unavoidable—every word is spoken before God. The Apostolic Witness James echoes the Lord: “Above all, my brothers, do not swear—either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. Let your ‘Yes’ be Yes, and your ‘No,’ No, so that you will not fall under judgment” (James 5:12). Peter’s denial in Mark 14:71 and Matthew 26:74 illustrates the tragic misuse of an oath. Conversely, Paul’s narration in Acts 2:30 reminds the Church that David “swore an oath” pointing to the Messiah, underscoring the reliability of God’s promises. The Divine Oath Nine occurrences center on God Himself swearing. Luke 1:73 recalls “the oath He swore to our father Abraham.” Hebrews devotes special attention: Divine oaths therefore reveal both His absolute faithfulness and His absolute justice. Eschatological Certainty Revelation 10:6 portrays a mighty angel “and he swore by Him who lives forever and ever … that there would be no more delay.” The sworn declaration announces the irreversible advance of God’s purposes toward final judgment and restoration. Ethical and Pastoral Implications 1. Truthfulness is a daily act of worship; every word is spoken coram Deo. Historic Christian Usage Early Christian writers (e.g., Justin, Tertullian) cited Matthew 5 and James 5 to commend simple speech. Councils permitted oaths only when truth or justice demanded. The Reformers allowed lawful civil oaths while warning against profanity. Evangelical confessions echo the same balance. Synthesis for Ministry Because God’s own oaths anchor redemption and judgment, preachers must proclaim both gracious promise and solemn warning. Counselors should guide believers to keep vows, confess broken ones, and cultivate transparent speech. Worship leaders may highlight covenantal hymns celebrating God’s “oath and covenant and blood.” In public life, Christians honor Christ when their unsworn words prove as dependable as any notarized document, thereby reflecting the character of the God who “cannot lie” and whose oath secures our everlasting hope. Forms and Transliterations ομείσθε ομείται ομή ομνυει ομνύει ὀμνύει ομνυειν ομνύειν ὀμνύειν ομνυετε ομνύετε ὀμνύετε ομνυναι ὀμνύναι ομνύοντας ομνύοντες ομνύοντος ομνύουσι ομνυουσιν ὀμνύουσιν ομνύω ομνύων ομοσαι ομόσαι ὀμόσαι ομοσας ομόσας ὀμόσας ομόσατέ ομοσάτω ομοση ομόση ὀμόσῃ ομοσης ομόσης ὀμόσῃς όμοσον όμοσόν ομόσω ομούμαι ομούνται ομώμοκα ομωμόκαμεν ώμνυον ωμοσα ώμοσα ώμοσά ὤμοσα ωμόσαμεν ώμοσαμεν ώμοσαν ώμοσας ωμόσατε ώμοσε ώμοσέ ωμοσεν ώμοσεν ὤμοσεν omnuei omnuein omnuete omnunai omnuousin omnyei omnýei omnyein omnýein omnyete omnýete omnynai omnýnai omnyousin omnýousin omosa ōmosa ṓmosa omosai omósai omosas omósas omose omosē omósei omósēi omóseis omósēis omosen ōmosen ṓmosen omoses omosēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 5:34 V-ANAGRK: ὑμῖν μὴ ὀμόσαι ὅλως μήτε NAS: But I say to you, make no oath KJV: say unto you, Swear not at all; INT: to you not to swear at all neither Matthew 5:36 V-ASA-2S Matthew 23:16 V-ASA-3S Matthew 23:16 V-ASA-3S Matthew 23:18 V-ASA-3S Matthew 23:18 V-ASA-3S Matthew 23:20 V-APA-NMS Matthew 23:20 V-PIA-3S Matthew 23:21 V-APA-NMS Matthew 23:21 V-PIA-3S Matthew 23:22 V-APA-NMS Matthew 23:22 V-PIA-3S Matthew 26:74 V-PNA Mark 6:23 V-AIA-3S Mark 14:71 V-ANA Luke 1:73 V-AIA-3S Acts 2:30 V-AIA-3S Hebrews 3:11 V-AIA-1S Hebrews 3:18 V-AIA-3S Hebrews 4:3 V-AIA-1S Hebrews 6:13 V-ANA Hebrews 6:13 V-AIA-3S Hebrews 6:16 V-PIA-3P Hebrews 7:21 V-AIA-3S James 5:12 V-PMA-2P Strong's Greek 3660 |