Hebrews 6:16

KJV

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation [is] to them an end of all strife.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} men {G444} verily {G3303} swear {G3660} by {G2596} the greater {G3187}: and {G2532} an oath {G3727} for {G1519} confirmation {G951} is to them {G846} an end {G4009} of all {G3956} strife {G485}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now people swear oaths by someone greater than themselves, and confirmation by an oath puts an end to all dispute.

Berean Standard Bible

Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.

American Standard Version

For men swear by the greater: and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 6:16 explains the universal human practice of oath-taking, where individuals swear by a perceived higher authority to validate a promise or assertion. This act of swearing serves as a definitive confirmation, resolving disputes and bringing an end to all contention. The author of Hebrews introduces this common human understanding to establish a foundational principle, preparing the reader to grasp the absolute certainty and unwavering nature of God's own divine promises, which are sealed by His unchangeable oath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal section of the Epistle to the Hebrews, following a severe warning against apostasy and spiritual stagnation in [Hebrews 6:4-8](/hebrews/6-4-8 "Warning Against Apostasy"). After urging his readers to "press on to maturity" ([Hebrews 6:1](/hebrews/6-1 "Pressing on to Maturity")), the author shifts from admonition to assurance, seeking to instill confidence in God's faithfulness. [Hebrews 6:9-12](/hebrews/6-9-12 "Confidence in God's Faithfulness") expresses hope for the readers' perseverance, and then [Hebrews 6:13-15](/hebrews/6-13-15 "God's Promise to Abraham") recounts God's oath to Abraham, emphasizing that God swore by Himself because there was no one greater. Verse 16 serves as a crucial explanatory bridge, articulating the general principle of human oaths before applying it directly to God's unparalleled oath in the subsequent verses, particularly [Hebrews 6:17-18](/hebrews/6-17-18 "God's Immutable Counsel and Oath").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Oath-taking was a deeply ingrained and legally binding practice in the ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman world, including Jewish society. Oaths were solemn declarations, often invoking a deity or a higher power, intended to guarantee the truthfulness of a statement or the fulfillment of a promise. The authority invoked was always considered greater than the one swearing, lending weight and finality to the declaration. This practice was understood as a mechanism to resolve disputes, establish trust, and provide legal or social certainty where doubt or contention might otherwise persist. The author of Hebrews, writing to a Jewish-Christian audience, could rely on their immediate understanding of the gravity and function of such solemn declarations.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 6:16 contributes to several overarching themes in the epistle. It reinforces the theme of **God's absolute faithfulness and immutability**, laying the groundwork for the argument that God's promises are utterly reliable because He has bound Himself by an oath ([Hebrews 6:17-18](/hebrews/6-17-18 "God's Immutable Counsel and Oath")). It also speaks to the theme of **assurance and hope**, providing a theological basis for believers to have "strong consolation" ([Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Strong Consolation")) and a steadfast "anchor of the soul" ([Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")). Furthermore, the verse subtly highlights the **superiority of Christ and the new covenant** by demonstrating that even human legal practices point to the necessity of a higher authority, ultimately fulfilled in God Himself and His Son, Jesus, who is the guarantor of a better covenant ([Hebrews 7:22](/hebrews/7-22 "Jesus, the Guarantor of a Better Covenant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **swear (Greek, _omnýō'_):** G3660. This verb signifies "to take an oath," "to make a solemn declaration," or "to affirm with an appeal to a divine being or higher authority." It denotes the act of binding oneself by a sacred promise, implying a severe consequence for failure to uphold it. In the context of Hebrews 6:16, it describes the human custom of invoking a superior power to guarantee the truthfulness or fulfillment of a statement.
* **greater (Greek, _meízōn'_):** G3187. This is the comparative form of "great" (megas), meaning "larger," "superior," or "more significant." When men swear "by the greater," it means they invoke an authority that is perceived as superior to themselves, possessing the power to enforce the oath or punish its violation. This concept is crucial for the author's argument, as it sets up the contrast with God, who, having no one greater, must swear by Himself ([Hebrews 6:13](/hebrews/6-13 "God Swore by Himself")).
* **confirmation (Greek, _bebaíōsis'_):** G951. This noun means "making firm," "establishing as sure or valid," or "stabiliment." It refers to the act or process by which something is made certain, undeniable, and legally binding. An oath serves as a mechanism for _bebaíōsis_, providing definitive proof or assurance that a promise will be kept or a statement is true, thereby removing all doubt and contention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For men verily swear by the greater":** This clause introduces a universally recognized human practice. The term "verily" (G3303, _mén_) emphasizes the undeniable truth of this observation. People, when making a solemn promise or assertion, appeal to an authority or entity that they acknowledge as superior to themselves. This "greater" entity is understood to possess the power to hold the swearer accountable, thereby lending weight and credibility to the oath. This reflects a fundamental human understanding of authority and accountability in the context of binding agreements.
* **"and an oath for confirmation":** This phrase articulates the primary purpose and function of such an oath. The Greek word for "confirmation" (G951, _bebaíōsis_) signifies the act of making something firm, sure, or valid. An oath is not merely a statement; it is a solemn act designed to establish certainty. It is a legal and social mechanism to solidify a promise or declaration, removing any ambiguity or potential for dispute.
* **"[is] to them an end of all strife.":** This final clause describes the practical outcome and desired effect of an oath. The Greek word for "strife" (G485, _antilogía_) means "contradiction," "dispute," or "contention." By taking an oath, particularly one sworn by a greater authority, the matter at hand is considered settled and beyond further argument. The oath provides a definitive resolution, bringing finality to disagreements and establishing trust, thus preventing ongoing conflict or doubt.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Hebrews 6:16 is **Analogy** or **A Fortiori Argument**. The author draws a direct comparison between a common human practice (swearing by a greater authority to confirm a matter) and God's divine action. The logic is "how much more" (a fortiori): if human oaths, sworn by a lesser "greater," bring an end to strife, how much more certain and dispute-ending is an oath sworn by the ultimate "Greater" – God Himself? This serves as a powerful **Rhetorical Strategy** to build a logical bridge for the audience, moving from a familiar concept to a profound theological truth about God's unshakeable faithfulness. The verse also exhibits **Didacticism**, as it functions as a teaching statement, explaining a universal principle before applying it to a specific, divine context.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 6:16 is foundational for understanding the absolute trustworthiness of God's promises. By explaining the human rationale for oaths, the author sets the stage for the profound truth that God, having no one greater than Himself, swore by His own name to Abraham ([Hebrews 6:13](/hebrews/6-13 "God's Oath to Abraham")), thereby guaranteeing His covenant promises with unparalleled certainty. This divine oath provides an unshakeable basis for the believer's hope and assurance, demonstrating that God's word is not merely reliable but immutably bound. It underscores the theological concept of God's **immutability** – His unchanging nature and faithfulness – which is the bedrock of all covenant theology.

* [Genesis 22:16-17](/genesis/22-16-17 "God's Oath to Abraham After Isaac's Sacrifice")
* [Hebrews 6:17-18](/hebrews/6-17-18 "God's Immutable Counsel and Oath")
* [Psalm 89:34-35](/psalms/89-34-35 "God's Unbreakable Covenant with David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 6:16 offers profound comfort and a solid foundation for our faith in a world often characterized by broken promises and shifting sands. Just as a human oath brings finality and trust to a dispute, God's oath concerning His promises provides an unshakeable basis for our hope. It calls us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to God's word and to embrace the full assurance that comes from knowing He has bound Himself by an oath to fulfill every promise. This should inspire us to persevere in faith, even amidst trials, knowing that our hope is anchored in an unchangeable God. We are called to rest in His perfect character and the absolute certainty of His word, allowing this truth to dispel our doubts and strengthen our resolve to live faithfully.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the human practice of oath-taking help you better appreciate the significance of God's oath?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to find "an end of all strife" by resting in the certainty of God's promises?**
* **How does the immutability of God's oath encourage you to "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering" ([Hebrews 10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "Hold Fast Our Hope"))?**

### FAQ

**Why do men swear by "the greater"?**

Answer: Men swear by "the greater" because it is a universal human principle that a promise or statement gains its ultimate authority and finality from an entity or power that is superior to the one making the declaration. This "greater" entity is perceived as having the power to enforce the oath or to judge the one who breaks it. In ancient cultures, this often involved invoking a deity or a sacred object, lending a divine or ultimate sanction to the human word. This practice ensures that the oath is taken seriously, provides a basis for trust, and serves to resolve disputes by appealing to an authority that all parties acknowledge as supreme and binding.

**What does an oath achieve for confirmation and an end to strife?**

Answer: An oath serves as a definitive act of "confirmation" (Greek: _bebaíōsis_), meaning it firmly establishes the truth or validity of a statement or promise. By taking an oath, all parties involved are given an undeniable assurance that the matter is settled. This act of confirmation then leads to "an end of all strife" (Greek: _antilogía_), which refers to disputes, contradictions, or contentions. When an oath is made, especially by a higher authority, it provides a final, unassailable resolution, removing any grounds for further argument or doubt. It brings closure to disagreements and establishes trust, allowing for peace and certainty in agreements and relationships.

**How does this human practice of oath-taking relate to God's promises and our faith?**

Answer: The author of Hebrews uses this common human practice to highlight the extraordinary nature of God's promises. If human oaths, sworn by a lesser "greater," are binding and bring an end to disputes, how much more certain and reliable are God's promises, which are sealed by His own oath? God, having no one greater than Himself, swore by Himself ([Hebrews 6:13](/hebrews/6-13 "God's Oath to Abraham")) to confirm His promises. This means that God's word is not merely a statement, but a divinely guaranteed commitment, backed by His very being and unchangeable character. For believers, this provides "strong consolation" ([Hebrews 6:18](/hebrews/6-18 "Strong Consolation")) and an unshakeable foundation for faith and hope, assuring us that God will absolutely fulfill everything He has promised.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 6:16, by explaining the universal principle of oath-taking, powerfully sets the stage for understanding the ultimate certainty of God's promises, which find their supreme fulfillment and guarantee in Jesus Christ. While God swore by Himself to Abraham ([Hebrews 6:13](/hebrews/6-13 "God's Oath to Abraham")), Jesus is the living embodiment and ultimate guarantor of that divine oath. He is the "greater" one by whom God's promises are irrevocably confirmed. As the Son of God, Jesus perfectly upholds the divine will and has become the "surety of a better covenant" ([Hebrews 7:22](/hebrews/7-22 "Jesus, the Surety of a Better Covenant")), established not by human oath but by His own eternal priesthood and perfect sacrifice. Through His death and resurrection, Christ has brought an "end of all strife" concerning humanity's sin and alienation from God, offering definitive reconciliation and peace ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Reconciliation Through Christ")). The hope that God's oath provides is ultimately "an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast," which enters "within the veil" ([Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")), precisely because Jesus, our forerunner, has entered there for us ([Hebrews 6:20](/hebrews/6-20 "Jesus, Our Forerunner")). Thus, the human understanding of an oath's finality points directly to the unassailable truth that in Christ, all of God's promises are "Yes and Amen" ([2_corinthians/1-20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), providing ultimate confirmation and eternal peace for those who believe.

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

Exodus 22:11

[Then] shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept [thereof], and he shall not make [it] good.

Hebrews 6:13

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

Genesis 21:30

And he said, For [these] seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.

Genesis 21:31

Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

Genesis 21:23

Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: [but] according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

Joshua 9:15

¶ And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

Joshua 9:20

This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.