### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term שְׁבוּעָה (shᵉbûwʻâh, `{{H7621}}`) is a feminine passive participle derived from the verb שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, `{{H7650}}`), meaning "to swear" or "to take an oath." Grammatically, its passive form indicates "that which has been sworn" or "a sworn thing." Its primary and most frequent meaning is "an oath," a solemn declaration or promise made under an appeal to a higher power, usually God, to bear witness to its truth or binding nature. This implies a profound level of commitment and seriousness. While the base definition also includes "curse," this nuance typically arises from the implicit or explicit self-imprecation (a curse upon oneself) that accompanies a broken oath. The core semantic range is firmly rooted in the act and consequence of solemn swearing, emphasizing the inviolability of a promise made before divine authority.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *shᵉbûwʻâh* appears numerous times throughout the Old Testament, illuminating its critical role in ancient Israelite society and theology.
* **Interpersonal and Inter-national Oaths:** Oaths were fundamental for establishing trust and formalizing agreements between individuals and groups. Abraham and Abimelech swear an oath at Beer-sheba to confirm a land agreement ([[Genesis 21:23]], [[Genesis 21:32]]). Similarly, Isaac and Abimelech make an oath to ensure peaceful coexistence ([[Genesis 26:28]]). Jacob and Laban establish a covenant with an oath, calling God as witness ([[Genesis 31:53]]). These instances highlight oaths as binding legal and social instruments.
* **God's Oaths to Humanity:** Perhaps the most significant use of *shᵉbûwʻâh* is in reference to God's own oaths. God swears to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give their descendants the land of Canaan ([[Exodus 13:5]], [[Deuteronomy 7:8]], [[Deuteronomy 9:5]]). These divine oaths underscore the certainty and immutability of God's promises, forming the bedrock of Israel's hope and identity. God's oath to David concerning an eternal dynasty ([[Psalm 89:3]], [[Psalm 89:35]]) likewise demonstrates His unwavering commitment.
* **Legal and Votive Contexts:** In the Mosaic Law, oaths are taken seriously, with provisions for their fulfillment and consequences for their violation. Numbers 30 discusses the binding nature of vows and oaths, particularly for women ([[Numbers 30:2]]). The Gibeonites famously deceive Joshua and the leaders of Israel into swearing an oath, which, despite the deception, must be honored due to its binding nature ([[Joshua 9:15]], [[Joshua 9:19]], [[Joshua 9:20]]). This illustrates the profound sanctity attributed to an oath, even when made under duress or misapprehension.
* **Consequences of Broken Oaths:** The Bible consistently portrays severe repercussions for breaking an oath. King Zedekiah's broken oath to Babylon, sworn in the name of the Lord, leads to divine judgment and his downfall ([[Ezekiel 17:18-19]]). This emphasizes that an oath is not merely a human promise but a divine covenant.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of *shᵉbûwʻâh* is enriched by its relationship to several other key biblical terms:
* **שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, `{{H7650}}`):** The root verb, "to swear," directly describes the action of taking an oath. *Shᵉbûwʻâh* is the resultant "thing sworn."
* **בְּרִית (bᵉrît, `{{H1285}}`), "covenant":** Oaths frequently serve to ratify or establish covenants. God's covenant with Abraham, for instance, is secured by His solemn oath, demonstrating the unbreakable nature of the agreement.
* **נֶדֶר (neder, `{{H5088}}`), "vow":** While distinct, oaths and vows are closely related. A vow is a specific commitment to God (e.g., to perform an action or abstain from something), whereas an oath often affirms a truth or binds one to a promise. Both carry immense solemnity and require fulfillment.
* **אָלָה (ʾālāh, `{{H423}}`), "curse" / "oath of curse":** The semantic connection between *shᵉbûwʻâh* and "curse" arises because an oath often implicitly or explicitly involves a self-imprecation: "May God do such and such to me if I do not fulfill this oath." Thus, a broken oath could bring about a curse.
* **אֱמֶת (ʾĕmeth, `{{H571}}`), "truth" / אֱמוּנָה (ʾĕmûnâh, `{{H530}}`), "faithfulness":** Oaths are intended to establish truth and demand faithfulness from those who swear them. God's oaths are the ultimate demonstration of His unwavering truthfulness and faithfulness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *shᵉbûwʻâh* is profound and multifaceted:
* **Divine Immutability and Faithfulness:** The most compelling theological aspect of *shᵉbûwʻâh* is its application to God. When God swears an oath (e.g., to Abraham regarding the land, or to David concerning his kingdom), it underscores the absolute certainty and unchangeableness of His promises. As [[Hebrews 6:17-18]] explains, God, "desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement." This reveals God's condescension and grace, binding Himself by an oath not out of necessity, but for the assurance of His people.
* **Sanctity of the Word and Integrity:** For humanity, the concept of *shᵉbûwʻâh* highlights the gravity of one's word and the sanctity of promises made before God. It demands a high standard of integrity and truthfulness, recognizing that all speech is ultimately accountable to the Divine. Breaking an oath is not merely a breach of human trust but an affront to God, who witnessed the oath.
* **Covenantal Foundation:** Oaths are integral to the establishment and perpetuation of God's covenants with humanity. From the Abrahamic covenant to the Davidic covenant, divine oaths provide the legal and theological framework for God's redemptive plan, demonstrating the binding and enduring nature of His relationship with His chosen people.
* **Justice and Consequences:** The severe consequences for violating an oath in the Old Testament underscore God's unwavering commitment to justice. He is a God who upholds righteousness and demands that His people reflect His character in their commitments.
* **New Testament Re-evaluation:** While oaths were vital in the Old Testament, Jesus' teaching in [[Matthew 5:33-37]] ("But I say to you, do not swear at all...") offers a critical New Testament perspective. This does not negate the Old Testament understanding of the binding nature of oaths but elevates the standard of truthfulness for believers. The ideal Christian life is one where one's "yes" is always "yes" and "no" is always "no," rendering oaths unnecessary because their word is inherently trustworthy, reflecting the character of Christ.
### Summary
The Hebrew term *shᵉbûwʻâh* (`{{H7621}}`) primarily denotes "an oath," a solemn and binding declaration derived from the verb "to swear." It signifies a profound commitment, often made with God as witness. Biblically, *shᵉbûwʻâh* is crucial for establishing trust in interpersonal and international relations, but its most significant application lies in describing God's own immutable promises. Divine oaths underscore the absolute certainty of God's covenantal faithfulness, providing unwavering assurance to His people. For humanity, *shᵉbûwʻâh* emphasizes the sanctity of one's word, demanding integrity and truthfulness in all commitments, with severe consequences for falsehood. While foundational to Old Testament covenant and law, the New Testament call for unadulterated truthfulness in all speech ultimately points to a life where oaths become superfluous for the believer whose word is always true.
TRV