ἐπιορκέω
epiorkéō
G1964 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To swear falsely, perjure oneself; specifically, to violate an oath or make a false oath, with a focus on the act of not keeping a sworn promise or solemn pledge. In figurative contexts, may also imply acting treacherously in regard to one’s sworn obligations.
Semantic Range
to swear falsely, to commit perjury, to break a sworn promise, to violate an oath, to act as a perjurer
Root / Etymology
Formed from ἐπίορκος (false-swearer, perjurer), itself derived from ἐπί (upon, against) + ὅρκος (oath). The verb was created in Hellenistic Greek to denote the act of oath-breaking.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἐπιορκέω is rare in both classical and Koine Greek and primarily found in legal or rhetorical contexts. In the New Testament (Matt 5:33), it refers to the act of breaking or violating an oath, with an emphasis on the moral and legal implications of perjury. The term is cognate with ἐπίορκος (perjurer), which appears more frequently in earlier Greek literature. The active sense (to swear falsely) and the passive sense (to break an oath one has taken) are closely related and sometimes overlap. The standard English translation 'forswear' historically meant 'to swear falsely,' but in modern English this usage is largely obsolete; 'commit perjury' or 'break an oath' better reflect the legal and moral sense in Koine contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπίορκος; to commit perjury:--forswear self.
Root Family
ἐπιορκέω (epiorkeō) — oath, swear, swear falsely, break an oath, commit perjury
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1964-01 |
ἐπιορκήσεις | epiorkeseis | V FUT ACT IND 2P SG |
you shall forswear | you will swear falsely | you will swear falsely | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1964-01 |
Matthew 5:33 | ἐπιορκήσεις | epiorkeseis | V FUT ACT IND 2P SG |
you shall forswear | you will swear falsely | you will swear falsely |