Oaths
God Has Sworn
In His Own Name
I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. Psalm 89:34-35.
What comes to mind when you think of swearing in a formal, legal sense? Swearing in this context involves taking an oath in which a promise is emphatically or earnestly asserted.
(Swearing can also refer to bad or obscene language that ought not to be spoken, but that’s not the kind of swearing we’re discussing here.)
When an elected or appointed person enters into their role officially, the ceremony is referred to as “their swearing in.” That’s because the newcomer makes a solemn oath to perform the duties of the office.
A sworn oath is also customarily taken by a witness in order to provide the court with the highest degree of assurance that he or she will be telling the truth.
Photo credit: ID 39462851 © Andrey Burmakin | Dreamstime.com
The Bible indicates that the custom of making oaths and swearing is ancient. It extends back at least to the time of Abraham over four thousand years ago.
God Himself condescended to follow this human custom in order to give us the highest possible assurance of the things He has spoken.
For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation – Hebrews 6:13-16.
Let’s take a look at the times when God has sworn by His own name and to whom those oaths were made.
Last updated 2026-01-20 Next update scheduled 2026-02-21