Hebrews 6:13

KJV

For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} when God {G2316} made promise {G1861} to Abraham {G11}, because {G1893} he could {G2192} swear {G3660} by {G2596} no {G3762} greater {G3187}, he sware {G3660} by {G2596} himself {G1438},

Complete Jewish Bible

For when God made his promise to Avraham, he swore an oath to do what he had promised; and since there was no one greater than himself for him to swear by, he swore by himself

Berean Standard Bible

When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,

American Standard Version

For when God made promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he sware by himself,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 6:13 presents a profound theological truth regarding the unshakeable certainty of God's promises, exemplified by His solemn oath to Abraham. This verse underscores that because there is no being or authority superior to Himself, God swore by His own divine character and existence, thereby providing the ultimate guarantee for His covenant commitments and offering an immutable foundation for the hope of believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a broader exhortation in [Hebrews 6:1-20](/hebrews/6-1-20 "Hebrews 6:1-20 - Exhortation to Maturity and Assurance"). Following a stern warning against spiritual immaturity and apostasy (implied in [Hebrews 6:4-8](/hebrews/6-4-8 "Hebrews 6:4-8 - Warning Against Falling Away")), the author shifts to a tone of encouragement, expressing confidence in the readers' perseverance (as seen in [Hebrews 6:9-12](/hebrews/6-9-12 "Hebrews 6:9-12 - Assurance of Better Things")). To solidify this assurance, the author introduces God's unchangeable character, using Abraham as a historical example. The oath to Abraham serves as a powerful illustration of God's faithfulness, providing a "strong consolation" for those who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them, as further explained in [Hebrews 6:17-18](/hebrews/6-17-18 "Hebrews 6:17-18 - The Unchangeable Counsel of God").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern and Jewish cultures, an oath was a deeply serious commitment, typically sworn by something or someone considered greater than the swearer, invoking divine judgment if broken. This practice highlighted the gravity and binding nature of the promise. For the Jewish Christians to whom Hebrews was written, Abraham was not merely a historical figure but the foundational patriarch, the recipient of God's pivotal covenant promises. His story, especially the oath in [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16-18 "Genesis 22:16-18 - God's Oath to Abraham"), would have been intimately familiar and deeply significant. The author's emphasis on God swearing by Himself would have resonated powerfully, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and the unparalleled certainty of His word in a way that no human oath could ever achieve.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is **God's Unchangeable Oath and Faithfulness**. The verse highlights that God's promises are absolutely secure because He swore by His own being. Since there is no authority greater than God, His oath is inherently unbreakable, reflecting His perfect faithfulness (as stated in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man, That He Should Lie")) and His unchanging nature (as affirmed in [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change")). This provides **Absolute Assurance for Believers**, demonstrating that just as God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, He will undoubtedly fulfill His promises to all who, by faith, inherit the blessings of the covenant. The example of Abraham also reinforces the theme of **Perseverance in Faith**, encouraging the readers to patiently endure and hold fast to the hope they have in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **made promise (Greek, _epangéllō'_):** This verb signifies to announce upon, or by implication, to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself. It carries the weight of a solemn declaration or commitment, emphasizing that God's word to Abraham was not a casual statement but a binding undertaking.
* **swear (Greek, _omnýō'_):** This term refers to taking or declaring an oath. In the context of human interaction, it involves invoking a higher power to guarantee the truthfulness or fulfillment of a statement. When applied to God, it signifies a self-imposed, ultimate guarantee, demonstrating the absolute certainty and immutability of His word.
* **greater (Greek, _meízōn'_):** An irregular comparative of the word for "great," meaning larger, greater, or more significant. Its use here is crucial, as it underscores the theological impossibility of God swearing by anything outside or above Himself, for nothing exists that surpasses His supreme authority, power, or essence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For when God made promise to Abraham":** This clause establishes the historical context and the divine initiative. God, in His sovereign will, chose to make a specific, binding commitment to Abraham, the patriarch of faith. This promise, initially given in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham") and later reaffirmed with an oath in [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16-18 "Genesis 22:16-18 - God's Oath to Abraham"), serves as the foundation for God's covenant relationship with His people.
* **"because he could swear by no greater":** This is the explanatory clause, providing the theological rationale for God's subsequent action. It asserts God's absolute supremacy and uniqueness. There is no higher authority, no more ultimate reality, no being of greater power or integrity than God Himself. This truth makes it logically and theologically impossible for God to invoke anything external to Himself as a guarantor of His word.
* **"he sware by himself":** This climactic phrase reveals the extraordinary nature of God's oath. Since He could not swear by a greater, He swore by His own immutable character, His very being, and His divine essence. This act elevates the promise to the highest possible level of certainty, making it as unchangeable and eternal as God Himself. It is the ultimate demonstration of His commitment and the complete trustworthiness of His word.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several literary devices to convey the profound truth of God's faithfulness. **Allusion** is central, as the verse directly references God's historical oath to Abraham, particularly as recorded in [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16-18 "Genesis 22:16-18 - God's Oath to Abraham"), drawing upon the readers' familiarity with this foundational narrative. There is a clear **Contrast** established between the typical human practice of swearing by a greater authority and God's unique act of swearing by Himself, which highlights His unparalleled supremacy. This contrast functions as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the absolute certainty and immutability of God's promise. The phrase "no greater" also functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Understatement** (litotes), powerfully conveying God's infinite superiority by stating the obvious impossibility of finding anything above Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 6:13 is a cornerstone for understanding the absolute reliability of God's word. It reveals that God's promises are not mere intentions but are backed by the very essence of His being. Because God is immutable (unchanging) and perfectly faithful, His oath to Abraham, and by extension all His covenant promises, are utterly dependable. This divine self-oath serves as a "double guarantee" (as explained in [Hebrews 6:17-18](/hebrews/6-17-18 "Hebrews 6:17-18 - The Unchangeable Counsel of God")), providing robust assurance for believers who anchor their hope in Him. It grounds our faith not in human performance or shifting circumstances, but in the unassailable character of God Himself.

* [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16-18 "God's Oath to Abraham after Isaac's Sacrifice")
* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "God is Not a Man, That He Should Lie")
* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "The Lord Does Not Change")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The truth that God swore by Himself provides an unshakable foundation for our faith and hope in a world characterized by uncertainty and broken promises. This verse invites us to rest deeply in God's unchangeable character, understanding that His word is not subject to human frailty or external forces. It calls us to trust implicitly in all that God has promised in Scripture, knowing that His divine nature guarantees their fulfillment. Just as Abraham patiently endured, holding fast to the promise, we too are encouraged to persevere in faith, anchoring our souls to the certain hope found in God's unfailing word. This assurance should free us from anxiety, empower us for obedience, and inspire us to live lives that reflect the steadfastness of our God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's act of swearing by Himself strengthen your personal trust in His promises for your life, especially concerning salvation and eternal hope?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to actively release control and rest more fully in God's unchangeable character and faithfulness?**
* **Considering God's absolute certainty, how does this verse empower you to persevere through current challenges or periods of waiting, knowing His word will ultimately prevail?**

### FAQ
**Why did God swear by Himself, rather than something else?**

Answer: God swore by Himself because there is no one or nothing "greater" than Him by whom He could swear. In ancient cultures, an oath was sworn by a superior entity or object to give it ultimate weight and binding authority. Since God is the supreme, ultimate authority, the Creator and Sustainer of all, there is nothing outside of Himself that possesses greater power, integrity, or existence. Therefore, to provide the highest possible guarantee for His promise, God swore by His own divine essence, character, and unchangeable nature. This act underscores His absolute sovereignty and the inherent, unbreakable certainty of His word.

**What was the specific promise God made to Abraham that is referenced here?**

Answer: The primary promise referenced here is the one God made to Abraham after Abraham's supreme act of obedience in offering Isaac on Mount Moriah, as recorded in [Genesis 22:16-18](/genesis/22-16-18 "Genesis 22:16-18 - God's Oath to Abraham after Isaac's Sacrifice"). God swore by Himself that He would surely bless Abraham, multiply his descendants as the stars of heaven and the sand on the seashore, and through his offspring, all the nations of the earth would be blessed. This oath reaffirmed and expanded upon the initial covenant promises given to Abraham in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham"), which included the promise of land, a great nation, and universal blessing.

**How does God's oath to Abraham apply to Christians today?**

Answer: God's oath to Abraham applies powerfully to Christians today because we are considered "spiritual descendants" of Abraham through faith in Christ, as explained in [Galatians 3:7-9](/galatians/3-7-9 "Galatians 3:7-9 - Abraham's Faith and Ours"). The author of Hebrews uses this historical event to provide "strong consolation" (as seen in [Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Hebrews 6:18 - God's Unchangeable Counsel")) for all who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before them. It assures us that God's promises in the new covenant, established through Jesus Christ, are equally unshakeable and reliable. Just as God was faithful to Abraham, He is faithful to us, guaranteeing our salvation, His provision, and the ultimate fulfillment of His eternal purposes for those who believe in His Son.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The oath God swore to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The promise to Abraham, particularly that "in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" ([Genesis 22:18](/genesis/22-18 "Genesis 22:18 - Blessing to All Nations")), is revealed in the New Testament to refer specifically to Christ Himself ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Promise to Abraham's Seed")). Jesus, as the promised Seed, is the one through whom the blessings of Abraham's covenant—justification by faith, the gift of the Spirit, and redemption from the curse of the law—are extended to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike ([Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "Galatians 3:14 - The Blessing of Abraham Comes to Gentiles")). Moreover, Christ Himself is the ultimate guarantee and mediator of a better covenant, one established on better promises ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant")) and secured by God's own oath, for "Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant" ([Hebrews 7:22](/hebrews/7-22 "Hebrews 7:22 - Jesus, the Guarantor of a Better Covenant")). His perfect life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection are the divine "Amen" to all of God's promises, making them "Yes" and "Amen" in Him ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Thus, the unchangeable counsel of God, underscored by His oath to Abraham, is perfectly embodied and eternally secured in the person and work of Christ, who has entered "within the veil" as our forerunner, serving as "an anchor of the soul, firm and secure" ([Hebrews 6:19-20](/hebrews/6-19-20 "Hebrews 6:19-20 - Jesus, Our Anchor of Hope")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 22:15

¶ And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

Genesis 22:18

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Luke 1:73

The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

Psalms 105:9

Which [covenant] he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;

Psalms 105:10

And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, [and] to Israel [for] an everlasting covenant:

Micah 7:20

Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, [and] the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

Jeremiah 22:5

But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.