ὁρκωμοσία
horkōmosía
G3728 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A formal declaration, often in a juridical or solemn context, involving the taking or administering of an oath; specifically, the act or process of swearing an oath, or a vow made under oath. The term may also denote the procedure or ceremony by which an oath is enacted.
Semantic Range
an act of swearing, a formal declaration made under oath, the procedure or public ceremony of taking an oath, swearing-in
Root / Etymology
From ὅρκος (oath) combined with -ομοσία (a suffix signifying the act or process of swearing), related to ὀμνύω (to swear). The formation suggests 'the act of causing or making an oath.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
ὁρκωμοσία is predominantly found in Hellenistic and later Greek, with limited but attested classical usage. In the context of the Septuagint and the New Testament, it refers mainly to the legal or religious act of swearing or the event in which an oath is formally enacted. Ancient civic documents used ὁρκωμοσία for official oaths administered to officeholders or witnesses in court. In contrast to ὅρκος, which can simply mean 'an oath' or even 'that by which one swears,' ὁρκωμοσία emphasizes the process or formal ritual of oath-taking. English translation tradition often renders both words as 'oath,' which may obscure this distinction. No significant difference in usage is observed between the Septuagint and New Testament contexts, though the term is rare in both. In later Greek, including Byzantine usage, ὁρκωμοσία continues to bear the sense of formal oath-taking ceremonies, such as in initiation or induction rites.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a compound of ὅρκος and a derivative of ὀμνύω; asseveration on oath:--oath.
Root Family
ὁρκωμοσία (horkōmosia) — oath-taking, swearing, sworn declaration, oath ceremony
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3728-01 |
ὁρκωμοσίας | orkomosias | N GEN F SG |
an oath | of oath-taking | of oath-taking | 4 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3728-01 |
Hebrews 7:20 | ὁρκωμοσίας | orkomosias | N GEN F SG |
an oath | of oath-taking | of oath-taking |
G3728-01 |
Hebrews 7:20 | ὁρκωμοσίας | orkomosias-2 | N GEN F SG |
an oath | of oath-taking | of oath-taking |
G3728-01 |
Hebrews 7:21 | ὁρκωμοσίας | orkomosias | N GEN F SG |
an oath | of oath-taking | of oath-taking |
G3728-01 |
Hebrews 7:28 | ὁρκωμοσίας | orkomosias | N GEN F SG |
oath | of oath-taking | of oath-taking |