ὄμνυμι (omnumi)
omnumi
to swear
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 20 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb omnumi means to swear an oath, affirming a statement or promise by calling upon a person or thing as witness. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from Peter’s denial of Jesus to God’s own pledge to Abraham. The sources note its frequent use with prepositions like en ("in") or kata ("by"), indicating the authority invoked during the oath.
Its etymology traces back to an obsolete root omo, suggesting a deep, traditional force behind the act of swearing. Translators typically render it as "swear," capturing the legal and solemn nature of the commitment. In Matthew 5:34-37, Jesus addresses the practice directly, contrasting human oaths with simple truthfulness, highlighting the word’s cultural weight in first-century Jewish society.
The term carries significant theological gravity when applied to divine promises, as seen in Hebrews 6:13-17. Here, God swears by Himself, underscoring the immutability of His counsel. This usage distinguishes divine oaths from human ones, emphasizing reliability and finality rather than mere verbal agreement.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word omnumi describes the act of swearing an oath, a solemn pledge that calls upon a higher authority to witness the truth of a statement or promise. In the first century, this was a common legal and social practice, used to confirm agreements or affirm facts when human credibility alone felt insufficient. It carries weight because it invokes something greater than oneself—whether heaven, the temple, or God Himself—to guarantee integrity.
Jesus addresses this deeply rooted custom in Matthew 5, inviting His followers to such honesty that oaths become unnecessary. He teaches that a simple 'yes' or 'no' should be enough, reflecting a heart aligned with truth rather than relying on ritualistic guarantees. This call to radical transparency challenges us to build trust through consistent character rather than formal declarations.
Yet the New Testament also highlights God’s own use of oaths, particularly in Hebrews 6, where He swears by Himself to Abraham. Since there is no greater authority, this divine oath underscores the unchangeable nature of His promises. It reminds us that while human words may falter, God’s commitment to His people is fixed and reliable, offering a steady anchor for our faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 20 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to swear3×
- swears3×
- having sworn3×
- shall swear2×
- may swear2×
- he swore2×
- I swore2×
- He swore2×
- to swear,1×
- swore1×
- swear,1×
- may you swear1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὤμοσεν7×
- ὀμόσῃ4×
- ὀμόσας3×
- ὀμνύει3×
- ὤμοσα2×
- ὀμόσῃς1×
- ὀμόσαι,1×
- ὀμόσαι1×
- ὀμνύουσιν,1×
- ὀμνύναι1×
- ὀμνύετε,1×
- ὀμνύειν1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 5:34
but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
Jesus prohibits swearing by heaven, establishing that the throne of God makes such oaths unnecessary for believers.
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Hebrews 6:13
For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself,
God swears by Himself to Abraham, demonstrating that His promise is grounded in His own immutable nature.
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Matthew 26:74
Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed.
Peter’s use of swearing here marks a moment of desperate denial, contrasting sharply with the call for simple truthfulness.
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Luke 1:73
the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,
This verse recalls the covenant oath God swore to Abraham, linking New Testament fulfillment to ancient promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word omnumi mean?
Why does Jesus tell people not to swear in Matthew 5?
Does God ever swear an oath in the Bible?
How is omnumi different from other words for speaking?
Every Occurrence (20 verses across 7 books)
Matthew 8 verses
but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
Matthew 5:36Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
Matthew 23:16“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of…
Matthew 23:18And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated.’
Matthew 23:20He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it.
Matthew 23:21He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who has been living in it.
Matthew 23:22He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it.
Matthew 26:74Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed.