"an oath, Mt. 14:7, 9; 26:72; meton. that which is solemnly promised, a vow, Mt. 5:33"
Definition and meaning
an oath, Mt. 14:7, 9; 26:72; meton. that which is solemnly promised, a vow, Mt. 5:33
In the original Greek the word is written: ὅρκος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of horkos (G3727) across the King James Bible.
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:
Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G3727 (horkos) is a Greek word that means: an oath, Mt. 14:7, 9; 26:72; meton. that which is solemnly promised, a vow, Mt. 5:33 It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word horkos (G3727) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3727 is horkos, a Greek word defined as: an oath, Mt. 14:7, 9; 26:72; meton. that which is solemnly promised, a vow, Mt. 5:33. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
horkos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.