"to swear, Mt. 5:34; to promise with an oath, Mk. 6:23; Acts 2:30; 7:17"
Definition and meaning
to swear, Mt. 5:34; to promise with an oath, Mk. 6:23; Acts 2:30; 7:17
In the original Greek the word is written: ὀμνύω
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 omnyo (G3660) across the King James Bible.
But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
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Common questions
Strong's G3660 (omnyo) is a Greek word that means: to swear, Mt. 5:34; to promise with an oath, Mk. 6:23; Acts 2:30; 7:17 It appears 21 times in the King James Bible.
The word omnyo (G3660) appears 21 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3660 is omnyo, a Greek word defined as: to swear, Mt. 5:34; to promise with an oath, Mk. 6:23; Acts 2:30; 7:17. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
omnyo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.