Overview
The Bible addresses swearing falsely across 34 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Ezekiel, Leviticus and 1 Kings. Closely related themes include Oaths, Perjury, Oath and Babylon. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Saul, Shimei, Jonathan and David.
Key Bible verses about swearing falsely
Old Testament
Leviticus
If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; in fellowship: or, in dealing fellowship: Heb. putting of the hand
Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:
And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
Deuteronomy
1 Samuel
And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.
And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
1 Kings
And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.
And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.
Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?
Psalms
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He: Heb. The clean of hands
He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Jeremiah
And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.
Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? which: Heb. whereupon my name is called
Ezekiel
For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant.
And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land: taken an: Heb. brought him to an oath
That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand. but: Heb. to keep his covenant, to stand to it
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:
Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.
Zechariah
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. every one that stealeth: or, every one of this people that stealeth holdeth himself guiltless, as it doth
I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.
New Testament
Matthew
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
And again he denied with an oath I do not know the man.
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying,3754 I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
People in the Bible and swearing falsely
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying swearing falsely for yourself
- Begin with Leviticus 6:2, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Ezekiel, Leviticus and 1 Kings each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Saul, Shimei and Jonathan and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Oaths, Perjury, Oath and Babylon.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about swearing falsely?
The Bible addresses swearing falsely across 34 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Ezekiel, Leviticus and 1 Kings. Closely related themes include Oaths, Perjury, Oath and Babylon. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Saul, Shimei, Jonathan and David.
How many Bible verses are about swearing falsely?
The Bible references swearing falsely in 34 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention swearing falsely?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Leviticus 6:2: “If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; in fellowship: or, in dealing fellowship: Heb. putting of the hand”
Which people in the Bible are associated with swearing falsely?
Saul, Shimei, Jonathan, David and Solomon.
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