Luke 1:73
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
Original Language Analysis
ὅρκον
The oath
G3727
ὅρκον
The oath
Strong's:
G3727
Word #:
1 of 8
a limit, i.e., (sacred) restraint (specially, an oath)
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 8
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 8
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Psalms 105:9Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;Deuteronomy 7:8But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.Jeremiah 11:5That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.Deuteronomy 7:12Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:
Historical Context
After Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, God confirmed His covenant with an oath (Gen 22:16-18). This oath established unconditional commitment to bless Abraham's seed, fulfilled ultimately in Christ who is the seed (Gal 3:16) through whom all nations receive blessing.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did God condescend to swear an oath when His word is already certain?
- How does God's oath to Abraham provide assurance of salvation?
- What does it mean that God swore by Himself to keep His covenant?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zacharias references 'the oath which he sware to our father Abraham,' highlighting the solemnity of God's covenant commitment. Divine oaths add nothing to God's truthfulness but accommodate human weakness by using humanity's highest form of commitment. The reference to Abraham's specific oath likely recalls Genesis 22:16-18, where God swore by Himself (since none greater exists, Heb 6:13) to bless Abraham's seed. This oath demonstrates the immutability of God's purpose (Heb 6:17-18)—salvation rests on God's unbreakable promise, not human faithfulness. The covenant's foundation in divine oath provides absolute assurance that God will accomplish what He promised.