Luke 1:73

The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

The oath {G3727} which {G3739} he sware {G3660} to {G4314} our {G2257} father {G3962} Abraham {G11},

the oath he swore before Avraham avinu

the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

The oath which he sware unto Abraham our father,

Commentary

Luke 1:73 is a pivotal line within the prophetic song of Zechariah, known as the Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79), uttered after the birth of his son, John the Baptist. This verse specifically references the foundational promise God made to Abraham, highlighting divine faithfulness as the bedrock of Israel's hope and the coming salvation.

Context

Following nine months of silence due to his unbelief regarding the angel Gabriel's prophecy, Zechariah's voice is restored upon naming his son John. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he breaks forth in a powerful prophecy. This song celebrates not only the miraculous birth of John, who would prepare the way for the Messiah, but also the long-awaited fulfillment of God's ancient promises. Luke 1:73 points directly to the solemn oath God swore to Abraham, which established the covenant through which all nations would be blessed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness: The verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to His word. The "oath" signifies an unbreakable promise, demonstrating God's perfect reliability across generations and His determination to fulfill His redemptive plan.
  • The Abrahamic Covenant: This promise to "our father Abraham" is the bedrock of God's redemptive plan, establishing the lineage and the covenant relationship through which the Messiah would come. It's a reminder that God's plan of salvation was not a new idea but a fulfillment of ancient, sacred vows.
  • Continuity of God's Plan: Zechariah's prophecy connects the past (Abraham), the present (John's birth), and the future (the coming of Jesus Christ), showing God's consistent working throughout history to bring about salvation and deliverance for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "oath" translates the Greek term horkos (ὅρκος), which denotes a solemn, binding promise or vow, often made with an appeal to a divine witness. In this context, it emphasizes the absolute certainty and irrevocability of God's commitment. When God swears an oath, it is His very character and being that guarantee its fulfillment, as there is no one greater for Him to swear by.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 1:73 offers profound reassurance. Just as God was faithful to His ancient oath to Abraham, so too is He faithful to His promises to us. This verse encourages us to trust in God's character and His unfailing word, even when circumstances seem bleak or His timing seems slow. It reminds us that our salvation and hope are rooted in God's sovereign plan, executed through His unbreakable covenants, culminating in Christ. We can find security and peace in knowing that the God who promised, is the God who performs.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 22:16

    And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son]:

  • Genesis 22:18

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

  • Psalms 105:9

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

  • Deuteronomy 7:8

    But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

  • Deuteronomy 7:12

    ΒΆ Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:

  • Jeremiah 11:5

    That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as [it is] this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.

  • Genesis 24:7

    The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.