oath

Everyday

1. An oath is a serious promise, often in front of others or in a court, that you will tell the truth or do something: "the witness took an oath". tree →
2. Under oath means having promised in a court to tell the truth. tree →
3. (old) An oath is a swear word or curse said in anger. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and history, knights swear oaths of loyalty to their king, and witnesses in court swear an oath. In citizenship lessons, new citizens may take an oath to their country. In older books "he let out an oath" means he swore. Phrases: take an oath, swear an oath, under oath, oath of loyalty.

Examples

• The knight swore an oath to protect the queen. tree →
• The witness took an oath to tell the truth. tree →
• Lying under oath is a crime. tree →
• New doctors take an oath to care for patients. tree →
• "Blast!" — the old sailor let out an oath. tree →
• The friends swore an oath never to tell the secret. tree →

Note

Plural: oaths, pronounced with a "thz" sound: "oathz". "Take an oath" or "swear an oath". In old stories "an oath" can mean a curse word, not a promise.

In Jewish tradition

An oath is a solemn promise made with God as witness. In the Torah it binds a person absolutely, and God also swears oaths.

Interpretation. Tradition treats oaths as very serious. The covenant in Deuteronomy 29 binds later generations, and Numbers 30 sets rules for vows.

Examples

• Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; (Torah DEU.29.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• And if a woman vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath, (Torah NUM.30.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may let it stand, or her husband may make it void. (Torah NUM.30.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• The covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac; (Writings 1CH.16.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• I counsel thee: keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God. (Writings ECC.8.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with?' (Prophets 1KI.2.43, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: oaths, pronounced with a "thz" sound: "oathz". "Take an oath" or "swear an oath". In old stories "an oath" can mean a curse word, not a promise.