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ὅρκος

hórkos

G3727 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

An oath—a solemn declaration or sworn statement, often made calling upon a deity or something sacred as witness to the truth or fulfillment of a promise. Ὅρκος designates both the act of making such a declaration and the object or content of the vow. In various contexts, the term extends to any binding pledge, affirmation, or legal asseveration.

Semantic Range

oath, sworn statement, solemn declaration, legal or religious pledge, vow, affirmation, guarantee

Root / Etymology

Root is ὁρκ-. The etymology is uncertain, though ancient sources suggest a possible connection to the idea of setting a boundary or limit (cf. ὅριον, 'boundary, limit'), with ὅρκος representing a figurative boundary established by the act of swearing. However, a precise derivation is not established.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Classical Greek usage (Homer onward) treats ὅρκος as a solemn act of swearing, often involving the invocation of gods as witnesses to bolster credibility and bind the swearer to truthfulness or promise-keeping. In legal, diplomatic, and private agreements, the ὅρκος functioned as a formal guarantee. In the Septuagint, ὅρκος is used to translate Hebrew שְׁבוּעָה (shevu‘ah, 'oath'), carrying forward the concept of a solemn, binding declaration before the deity of Israel. In the New Testament, ὅρκος appears primarily in legal or ethical contexts—Jesus and others address the taking of oaths, accentuating the seriousness of truth-telling. Standard English translations render ὅρκος as 'oath,' but the ancient sense includes legal, religious, and personal dimensions that may not always be captured by the English term. Contrary to some translation traditions, ὅρκος does not inherently carry the negative connotations associated with perjury; it refers neutrally to the binding act itself. The related term ἐπιορκία ('perjury') explicitly denotes the breaking of such an oath.

Translation Consistency

primary "oath" 10 occurrences

Ὅρκος is a noun meaning a solemn sworn statement or pledge. The most natural and common English equivalent across contexts is “oath,” which covers the typical senses (vow, pledge, sworn declaration, legal assurance) and matches the majority of occurrences in the P2 data.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from (a fence; perhaps akin to ὅριον); a limit, i.e. (sacred) restraint (specially, an oath):--oath.

Root Family

ὅρκος (horkos) — oath, solemn declaration, binding pledge, sworn affirmation

Root ὁρκ- to bind, to swear, to affirm solemnly

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3727-05 ὅρκους orkous N ACC M PL oaths binding oaths binding oaths 3
G3727-02 ὅρκον orkon N ACC M SG oath an oath an oath 2
G3727-04 ὅρκου orkou N GEN M SG an oath of an oath an oath 2
G3727-01 ὅρκῳ orko N DAT M SG by an oath with an oath with an oath 2
G3727-03 ὅρκος orkos N NOM M SG oath solemn oath oath 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3727-05 Matthew 5:33 ὅρκους orkous N ACC M PL oaths binding oaths binding oaths
G3727-04 Matthew 14:7 ὅρκου orkou N GEN M SG an oath of an oath of an oath
G3727-05 Matthew 14:9 ὅρκους orkous N ACC M PL oaths binding oaths binding oaths
G3727-04 Matthew 26:72 ὅρκου orkou N GEN M SG an oath of an oath an oath
G3727-05 Mark 6:26 ὅρκους orkous N ACC M PL oaths binding oaths binding oaths
G3727-02 Luke 1:73 ὅρκον orkon N ACC M SG the oath an oath an oath
G3727-01 Acts 2:30 ὅρκῳ orko N DAT M SG with an oath with an oath with an oath
G3727-03 Hebrews 6:16 ὅρκος orkos N NOM M SG oath solemn oath oath
G3727-01 Hebrews 6:17 ὅρκῳ orko N DAT M SG by an oath with an oath with an oath
G3727-02 James 5:12 ὅρκον orkon N ACC M SG oath an oath an oath
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