שְׁבוּעָה (she.vu.ah)
she.vu.ah
oath
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shevuah refers to a sworn statement, functioning as either an oath or a curse depending on its context. Derived from a root meaning "to bind," it describes a verbal act that creates a binding obligation between parties. In the Old Testament, this word appears twenty-three times, frequently marking serious agreements or solemn declarations involving God and His people.
Its meaning shifts based on usage. When used positively, it signifies a pledge of loyalty or truth, such as the covenant oath God made to Abraham in Genesis 26:3. In these cases, the oath attests to innocence or confirms a promise. Conversely, in legal or prophetic contexts, shevuah can denote an execration or curse, as seen in Numbers 5:21 where a suspected adulteress swears an oath that invokes a curse if she is guilty.
A notable feature of this word is its association with divine fidelity. It often appears in phrases like "the oath of the Lord," emphasizing that God’s promises are grounded in His own sworn word rather than human reliability. This theological weight explains why biblical figures, from Jacob to David, treated oaths with such gravity, viewing them as unbreakable bonds sealed by heaven.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shevuah describes a binding verbal act, rooted in the idea of tying or binding two parties together. In the Old Testament, this term carries significant weight, appearing in contexts ranging from solemn divine promises to legal curses. It reminds us that words are not empty sounds but carry real consequences and commitments. When God makes an oath, He binds Himself by His own character, offering stability in a changing world.
For your faith life, this concept highlights the reliability of God’s promises. Unlike human agreements that can be broken, the oaths recorded in Scripture reflect a faithful Creator who keeps His word. Whether it is the promise to Abraham or the covenant with Israel, these sworn statements anchor our trust in someone who cannot lie. This assurance allows us to rest in His care, knowing our future is held securely by His integrity.
At the same time, the gravity of shevuah invites us to consider how we use our own words. The Bible warns against rash vows and false oaths, encouraging honesty and integrity in all our speech. By treating our commitments with respect, we reflect the truthfulness of God. This practice fosters trust in our relationships and honors the One who values faithfulness above all else.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ oath7×
- [the] oath of3×
- from/ oath/ your2×
- and/ oath/ his2×
- with/ [the] oath of1×
- to/ a curse1×
- oaths of1×
- oath1×
- in/ an oath1×
- from/ oath/ my1×
- and/ the/ oath1×
- and/ into/ a oath1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁבוּעָה֙1×
- שְׁבוּעָ֥ה1×
- שְׁבוּעַ֥ת1×
- שְׁבֻעַ֤ת1×
- שְׁבֻעַ֣ת1×
- שְׁבֻע֥וֹת1×
- מִ/שְּׁבֻעָתֵ֥/ךְ1×
- מִ/שְּׁבֻעָתֵ֖/ךְ1×
- מִ/שְּׁבֻעָתִ֖/י1×
- לִ/שְׁבוּעָה֙1×
- וּ/שְׁבוּעָת֖/וֹ1×
- וּ/שְׁבֻ֥עַת1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 26:3
Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.
This verse shows God establishing a sworn promise to Isaac, linking it directly to His earlier oath to Abraham and demonstrating the continuity of divine commitment across generations.
-
Numbers 5:21
then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall tell the woman, “May Yahweh make you a curse and an oath among your people, when Yahweh allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell;
Here shevuah functions as a curse, illustrating how an oath could invoke judgment if the speaker was unfaithful, highlighting the serious legal consequences of sworn statements.
-
II Samuel 21:7
But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Yahweh’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
David spares Mephibosheth specifically because of the oath between him and Jonathan, showing how personal vows created binding obligations that even a king respected.
-
Zechariah 8:17
and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate,” says Yahweh.
God commands His people to reject false oaths, indicating that integrity in speech is a core requirement for those who seek to live faithfully before Him.