a prolonged form of a primary, but obsolete , for which another prolonged form is used in certain tenses; to swear, i.e. take (or declare on) oath:--swear.
Transliteration:omnýō
Pronunciation:om-o'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ὀμνύω (omnýō), Strong's `{{G3660}}`, signifies "to swear" or "to take an oath." At its core, it denotes a solemn declaration or promise, often invoking a divine being, a sacred object, or a revered concept as a witness or guarantor of truth and fidelity. The act of swearing an oath elevates a statement beyond mere assertion, binding the speaker to their word under penalty of divine judgment or public disgrace should they prove false. The semantic range includes:
* **Solemn affirmation:** A declaration made under a sense of profound responsibility, asserting the truth of a statement or the certainty of a promise.
* **Vowing:** Committing oneself to a future action or abstention.
* **Invoking a higher power:** Calling upon God, heaven, earth, or one's own life as a witness to the truth of what is said or promised. This invocation serves to underscore the gravity and binding nature of the oath.
* **Legal or judicial context:** Oaths were a crucial component of ancient legal systems, used to confirm testimony, validate contracts, or resolve disputes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ὀμνύω appears frequently in the New Testament, reflecting both divine and human swearing.
* **Divine Oaths:** God is depicted as swearing oaths, particularly in the context of His covenants and promises. For instance, in [[Hebrews 6:13-18]], the author emphasizes God's oath to Abraham, noting that "when God made a promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself." This highlights the immutability and absolute certainty of God's word, guaranteed by His own divine nature. Similarly, in [[Psalm 110:4]] (quoted in [[Hebrews 7:21]]), the Lord swears an oath concerning the eternal priesthood of Christ: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'" These divine oaths underscore God's faithfulness and the unshakeable foundation of His redemptive plan.
* **Human Oaths:** The use of ὀμνύω by humans often carries a more complex and sometimes problematic connotation in the New Testament.
* **Prohibition of Frivolous Oaths:** In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus issues a strong directive regarding oaths: "But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one" ([[Matthew 5:34-37]]). This teaching, echoed by James ([[James 5:12]]), is not a blanket prohibition against all oaths (e.g., in legal settings, or solemn affirmations like Paul's in [[Romans 9:1]]), but rather a condemnation of careless, manipulative, or unnecessary swearing. It critiques the practice of using oaths to lend false credibility to one's words or to evade responsibility.
* **Contexts of Denial or Affirmation:** The verb can describe solemn affirmations or denials. For example, Peter's denial of Jesus is intensified by his swearing: "Then he began to call down curses on himself and to swear (ὀμνύω), 'I don't know the man!'" ([[Matthew 26:74]]). This illustrates the gravity of an oath, even when used for deception.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding ὀμνύω includes several related Greek terms and theological concepts:
* **`{{G3727}}` (horkos):** The noun form, meaning "an oath" itself, the sworn statement. It often appears in conjunction with ὀμνύω, as in "to swear an oath."
* **`{{G3726}}` (horkizō):** A causative verb, meaning "to adjure," "to put under oath," or "to make someone swear."
* **`{{G3728}}` (horkōmosia):** The act of swearing an oath.
* **`{{G4488}}` (rhēma):** "Word" or "saying," often contrasted with the need for an oath if one's word is not sufficient.
* **`{{G225}}` (alētheia):** "Truth." The purpose of an oath is to confirm truth, and Jesus' teaching implies that a believer's everyday speech should be so imbued with truth that oaths become superfluous.
* **Covenant (διαθήκη, `{{G1242}}`):** Many of God's promises are established through covenants, which are often sealed with divine oaths.
* **Vow (εὐχή, `{{G2171}}`):** Similar to an oath in its binding nature, but typically a promise made *to* God.
In the Old Testament, the primary Hebrew equivalents for "to swear" or "to take an oath" include `{{H7650}}` (shava', from a root meaning "seven," perhaps alluding to seven witnesses or a complete affirmation) and `{{H5045}}` (naba', "to utter," "to speak"). These terms similarly denote solemn, binding declarations.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ὀμνύω is profound, touching upon the nature of God, human integrity, and the ethics of speech.
* **The Immutability of God's Promises:** The most significant theological use of ὀμνύω is in describing God's oaths. Because God "swore by himself" ([[Hebrews 6:13]]), His promises are absolutely trustworthy and unchanging. This divine act provides "strong encouragement" ([[Hebrews 6:18]]) for believers, serving as an anchor for the soul. It underscores the reliability of His covenant with Abraham, the certainty of Christ's priesthood, and the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan. God's oath is a demonstration of His condescension and grace, providing an external guarantee for what is already inherently true due to His nature.
* **The Call to Radical Honesty in Human Speech:** Jesus' teaching in [[Matthew 5:33-37]] and James's counsel in [[James 5:12]] represent a radical ethical demand for believers. The prohibition against swearing is not an abolition of all oaths (e.g., in formal legal contexts where one is compelled to swear), but a call to such a high standard of integrity that one's simple "yes" or "no" carries the full weight of truth. The underlying principle is that a believer's speech should always be truthful, transparent, and reliable, rendering any external guarantee (like an oath) unnecessary. To swear by something implies that one's ordinary word is insufficient, or that one needs to invoke a higher power to compel truthfulness, which is a reflection of a fallen state where trust is eroded. The Christian ideal is a life lived in such honesty that one's character alone vouches for the truth of one's words.
* **The Danger of Profane or False Oaths:** The New Testament warnings implicitly highlight the danger and sinfulness of using oaths lightly, falsely, or manipulatively. Such actions desecrate the name of God, undermine trust, and demonstrate a lack of integrity in the speaker. Peter's denial, accompanied by oaths and curses, serves as a stark example of the potential for an oath to be used in a moment of human weakness and deception.
### Summary
The Greek verb ὀμνύω (omnýō) fundamentally means "to swear" or "to take an oath," signifying a solemn and binding declaration. Its biblical usage reveals two primary theological insights. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the absolute immutability and trustworthiness of God's promises, which are guaranteed by His own divine character and confirmed by His unchangeable oath. This provides an unwavering foundation for faith and hope. Secondly, in the context of human speech, ὀμνύω highlights the New Testament's radical call for absolute integrity. Jesus' teaching on oaths demands that believers' words be so consistently truthful that a simple "yes" or "no" is sufficient, rendering the need for external oaths superfluous. The abuse of oaths—using them for deception or frivolity—is condemned, emphasizing that a follower of Christ should embody such honesty that their character alone serves as the ultimate guarantee of their word.
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